Rastafari mark milestones this week

By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter

Monday, April 18, 2011

Historically, this week holds special significance for members of the Rastafari community in particular, and Jamaica in general

It marks the anniversary of the mission to Africa, and the subsequent visit to Jamaica by Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie I.

Speaking at the recent launch of Western Consciousness director of culture Sydney Bartley took the opportunity to remind his audience of some significant milestones soon to be celebrated. "Jamaica is a proud and a big place. Next year is the 50th anniversary of our independence... next year is the 125 anniversary of the birth of Marcus Garvey. That is also important. This year 2011, is the 45th anniversary of the visit to Jamaica of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie. April 21, this year, we celebrate that history of an African King coming to this country."

April 21, 2011 is not only its 45th anniversary, but it is also the 50th anniversary of the mission to Africa in April 1961, which was instrumental in the visit of Emperor Haile Selassie I to Jamaica.

This year, April 21 falls on a Thursday (as it did in 1966 at the start of that historic visit), the Rastafari Community will be celebrating 45th anniversary of the Royal Visit, and of course, music has an integral role to play in the celebration which will begin with a motorcade re-enacting His Imperial Majesty's tour of several of the nation's institutions.

The motorcade will leave from the Norman Manley International Airport en route to the UWI, it then will head for the Haile Selassie I High School. Afterwards, it will be leaving for the Mico University College before ending at the National Heroes Park.

Attorney Hugh Small will deliver a public lecture on the Coral Garden incident, reportedly focussing on the injustice meted out to Rastafari community. This will be held at the Neville Hall Lecture Theatre, UWI on Thursday.

On Friday, Rastafari cultural displays will set the mode for the motorcade's departure for the commemoration of the Coral Gardens' massacre of 1963, at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay. This year marks the 48th anniversary of the Coral Gardens onslaught against Rastas which took place almost 50 years ago and dubbed Bad Friday by Rastafari.

Several associated events are scheduled for the Haile Selassie High School.

The school named after the Emperor as he was the one who broke the ground, and provided the funds so that it could be built. As such, the school is set to host founder's day, which will be held on Wednesday.

The day's events will consist of an exhibition showcasing memorabilia of Emperor Haile Selassie, the screening of the documentary film, The Lion of Judah — which depicts the occasion of the Emperor's visit to Jamaica, a lecture and poetry showcase featuring artistes including Yasus Afari and Andrew Tosh.

Then there will be a fund-raising concert for the school on April 29, 2011 at Tuff Gong International Ltd, 220 Marcus Garvey Drive. This is expected to feature the Uprising Roots Band, Icientcy Mau and the Mau Mau Warriors, and a host of talented local artists including Fred Locks, Mikey General and Jah9.

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Rastafari mark milestones this week