The
28th of October 2007 entered into the annals of history as a
day of immense significance to one just married couple, Ras PD and Sis
Leah and the entire Rastafari family of Malawi at large. It was on this
very day, barely 46 days into the new millennium as far the ancient
Ethiopian calendar is concerned that some Rastafarians and other people
from various denominations of faith gathered to witness the tying of a
knot of marriage between Ras PD and Sis Leah at a Nyahbinghi Tabernacle
which is located on the foot of Ndirande Mountain in the centre of
Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre.
“This is a special
day because never has this sort of event happened in the entire history
of Rastafari movement in Malawi. Therefore consider yourself uniquely
blessed to be amongst the people who are here this morning to witness
this,”
Ras Earthquake who officiated the wedding at the tabernacle said in his
opening remarks.
During
the officiation ceremony, part of the audience that most likely must
have been comprised of catholics, protestants, pentecostals among others
at different moments sang along a vernacular version of a popular
Rastafari chant;
“Let
the words of I n I mouths and the meditation of I n I hearts be
acceptable in thy sight for Iver!” This marveled almost every
member of the Rastafari family that was present.
From
the tabernacle Ras PD, Sis Leah and the entire bridal party amidst
unrestrained cheers throughout the way, were driven to Chichiri
residential area a few kilometers away for a luncheon under the escort
of a convoy that was artistically decorated in green, red and yellow
colours. At around 3pm, Ras PD and Sis Leah arrived at ITEM (Institute
of Technology and Management) where a reception ceremony took place. By
then a mammoth crowd which braved the scorching sun had already gathered
an hour earlier to acclaim the first Rastafari bride and bridegroom in a
typical traditional way. Among the numerous people that presented
assorted gifts to Ras PD and Sis Leah were a group of women who
represented women and the entire membership of Tikondane Pentecostal
Church.
Since
1993 when the Rastafari movement re-emerged from oblivion after
undergoing draconian suppression by the post independence government, it
has not only been unheard of but also considered rather awkward for a
‘main stream’ christian or muslim to abandon all other personal
commitments like going to church on a Sunday morning among others in
order to patronize a function organized by Rastafari people.
Astonishingly, it appeared that on this particular sunday, with
indescribable enthusiasm residents of Ndirande township preferred to be
part of history in the making by attending the first Rastafari wedding
in Malawi.
