Greetings I beloved Bredrin and Sistrin in the name of the Most High His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I Jah Rastafari and I an I Ivine mother of Iration Empress Menen.

Once again I adress Iself to all mansions of I an I spiritual family Rastafari, and once again I am raising the cry for Inity among I an I. Throughout the years I an I have seen the great efforts that have been made in the organisational works of I an I Bredrin and Sistrin living in diaspora in the West Indies, North and South America, as well as the good organized communities within Britain. The Inity Conference of November 2006 in Zion South Africa will even work on the Inity of all Rastafarian Bredrin and Sistrin Iniversally. Still there is a question I would like to ask : What about the many Bredrin and Sistrin scattered all over the rest of Europe? They are widespread and almost without contact among themselves. I believe that this situation should, and can be changed, and that is why I would be glad to see an Inity Conference of the European Rastafari Communities.

Now, when could a European Inity Conference take place, and who should, and could organize it?

It should in fact take place after the Inity Conference in Zion South Africa. But who to organize it? A conference like the one I am thinking of must be organized by the best structured communities and organisations of Rastafari in Europe, that means the communities in England, the raising community in Italy as well as the Ifficial representatives of the different houses, Bobo Ashanti, Twelve Tribes, EWF, Nyahbinghi; and the help of the EOTC could be a great profit ; these are the ones who, in I sight, could be able to organize a conference in Europe, as well as the ones who trod to Zion South Africa this November.

I am aware of the fact that a conference is hard to organize, but I believe that it would be a great profit to do so. The Inity of the communities and individuals in Europe would make it much easier for I an I to communicate and work with the communities all over the world. Furthermore it would strenghten the European communities to shine their light for others to see the glory of His Imperial Majesty and to perform Jah works.

This proposal is just a thought I had observing the many efforts and conferences all over the world. Perhaps it will become reality.

Give thanks and praises to the Most High Jah Rastafari. One Jah, one aim, one destiny.

Ras Béni Gad.

I prayers and thoughts are with I an I beloved Brother Mortimo Planno. Jah comfort his soul.

Sad Greetings to all, 
It is with the greatest sadness for the Rastafari Youth Inity Family, to learn of the passing-on of Brother Kumi. InI representative saw the ailing Patriarch and Ancient of InI faith when he trod forth to Jamaica. InI saw the pictures of the Ancient a few weeks ago. InI know that he is sitted at the right hand of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie 1 and Empress Menen. InI thoughts and prayers to his family and the entire Rastafari Movement at this iwa of sadness. 
May his soul find favour with Jah Rastafari. Rastafari liveth forever. 

General Salem. (R.Y.I.) RSA

Greetings All,

For those of you who haven't already heard this is to inform you of the passing of Brother Mortimo "Kumi" Planno, on Sunday March 5th at 22:40 hours at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Brother Kumi as he was affectionately called, was born in 1929 on the 6th of September in Cuba. He arrived in Jamaica in the early 1930s with his mother (Jamaican), May Parks, father Miguel Planno (a Cuban Tobacconist) and 3 older siblings.

Planno grew up in the West Kingston district and came to national prominence in the early 1950s through his articulate and defiant involvement with the Rastafari Movement, then in its first two decades, as one of if earliest dreadlocked youth leaders. He was a founding member of the Rastafari Movement Association, which held the Ethiopian World Federation Chater 37, and was instrumental in many initiatives including the First Universal Grounation of Rastafari in Back-O-Wall in March 1958; the University ISER - Report of the Rastafari Movement in Kingston Jamaica 1960; the Fact Finding Mission to Africa, 1961; the visit of Emperor Haile Selassie I to Jamaica in 1966; the development and Management of Bob Marley and the Wailers; the repatriation of several families and individuals to Shashamanie Ethiopia throughout the 1960s; the arrival of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jamaica in 1970; the Peace Concert 1978 among other initiatives.

Planno was well known for his intellectual acumen, letters to the press and his famous autobiographical text "The Earth Most Strangest Man: the Rastafarian". He has toured Africa on three separate occasions visiting a total of 15 countries there and has been invited to give lecture/tours in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

In 1998, the Faculty of Social Sciences made Bro. Kumi its inaugural Folk Philosopher through a one year fellowship where he pursued his autobiographical writings through an attachment to the department of Government. Subsequently Planno became a sinecure attached to the Institute of Caribbean Studies which facilitated his continued work up until the end.

Since 1984 Planno's health had been compromised by a number of complications (glandular, cardiac, gastric and circulation issues). Increasingly from 2001 after suffering a heart attack Planno has been in and out of hospital, and in July of 2005 his right leg was amputated.

Though Mortimo Planno may be most remembered for his role on the occasion of the Emperor Haile Selassie I's visit to Jamaica when he restored order to a state where protocol has disappeared, he is perhaps most of all the archetype of a Rastafari ecumenical leader and operated in this manner for some forty odd years. His command was one with words, and when he opened his mouth all were forced to recognise his power.

For some fifty years Mortimo Planno has been one of the key Rastafari figures on the battle field. He leaves behind four children and a younger Brother Barry. Today we ask that his memory be honoured in your thoughts and prayers.

May his soul find rest and comfort with Jah.

Rastafari Liveth...One Perfect Love

bongoniah

Greetings and Rastafari Blessings in the Most Precious Name of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Menen, 559 days before the Ethiopian Millennium

It is with great joy in my heart that I give the following testimony.

On February 25, 2006, the Iniversal Development of Rastafari (IDOR) along with the Ethiopian Rastafari Community (ERC) at Howard University hosted their Black History Month Event in the Blackburn Center. The theme of the event was "Collective Security: The History of African People Working Together and the Benefits of Pan-African Unity for Humanity". This event was truly one of the best Rastafari Gatherings that I have ever attended. The reason why I say this is because of the fullness of the program. After opening with prayers, the Ethiopian Anthem, and Ises, the program had all of the following components:

1) Rastafari Elders -- several Elders, including Ras Irice, Ras Marcus, Pa Jack, Ma Bubbles and others whose names I don't know, were present and blessed the gathering. Ma Bubbles gave a delightful and memorable impromptu chant that touched the gathering.

2) Rastafari delegations -- several Rastafari sons and dawtas yod from afar, including the Ethiopian World Federation Empress Menen Local #13 from Hartford, Connecticut that is on their way to an event at the United Nations. Others trod from New York, Philadelphia, Western Massachusettes, Chicago, and Miami. Representatives of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Executive and Legal Defence Committee also attended.

2) Rastafari Singers and Players of Instruments -- Dikispliff, Iyah Gift, Ras Attitude, Sister Jahness and the Proverbs Band uplifted the gathering with their heartfelt vibes and serious messages.

3) Rastafari Multi Media Production -- An outstanding 30 minute video featuring the groundbreaking and construction of the Nyahbinghi daughters quarters in Shashemane, Ethiopia was screened. I&I actually witnessed the architectural plans, the laying of the foundation and the building of the structure. Congo Rocky, Mama Baby I, Ras Rupert, Priest Paul, and Ras Mweya were all featured on the video that was produced by Sister I-Addis of Lioness works with help from Manajah and Trent.

4) Rastafari Fundraising -- One of the highlights of the day's events was the auction and raffle. Rastafari clothing, arts and crafts, videos and more were donated along with rare, collector's items that included near pristine copies of the June 1931 and 1935 National Geographic Magazines that cover HIM Haile Selassie's Coronation and Ethiopia's development before the Fascist Invasion. Ras Kwasi and Sister Jahness served as auctioneers, and some very competitive bidding made the auction very exciting. Three special prizes were raffled, the grand prize being a dvd player and a copy of the Culture in Africa dvd. Through donations, the auction and the raffle, significant funds were raised for finishing the Nyahbinghi dawtas quarters in Shashemane, Ethiopia.

5) Rastafari Ital -- A rough estimate of 200 Rastafari sons and dawtas were served Ital food throughout the event. The hungry were fed.

6) Rastafari Education -- all throughout the event, Rastafari sons and dawtas edified the gathering. This came to a climax during the panel discussion that included Professor Jabez A. Langley, Ras Nathaniel of the Issembly for Rastafari Iniversal Education (IRIE), and Ras George Rose of the Rose Law Firm. IRIE provided the gathering with free pamphlets entitled Ethiopia to Washington DC: HIM Haile Selassie I Speaks on Disarmament. Professor Langley highlighted the African Diaspora's contribution to Ethiopianism. Ras Nathaniel, reading from IRIE's pamphlet, chronicled His Majesty's prophetic pronouncements about the coming catastrophe, world holocaust, and the annihilation of mankind that will result if the United States continues to violate the principles of collective security. Ras George then reasoned on HIM Haile Selassie and the rule of law. A brief question and answer session then followed.

The Ethiopian African Black International Congress (EABIC)/Bobo Shanti congregation of Washington DC then sealed the event with prayers and chants. Naturally, no one wanted to leave, but the nine-hour event finally came to a seal.

All in all, Rastafari talent and Rastafari Inity was on display and everyone forwarded with a fulness in their heart and mind. Give thanks to Under The Sun Productions for filming the event.

Rastafari sons and dawtas, Rejoice. Rastafari Inity is now. Repatriation Iwa is now! Will you be ready when Rastafari Yod?

Most Raspectfully, 
Ras Nathaniel