This Bobo Rastarian guards the entry point to the important areas of the camp, like the tabernacle where the camp members pray.

FRIDAY, January 7 was a big day for Ethopians - it was their Christmas day, and was celebrated by the local Ethiopian community in the hills of Bull Bay, St Andrew.

The Bobo Camp, comprising approximately 100 Bobo Shanti dwellings, sits 10 miles away from the hustle of city living, at Nine Miles in Bull Bay. As a result, the Bobo Shantis refer to their location as 'Ten Miles'.

The Friday night festivities marking Christmas - which they pronounce Christ-mas (emphasis on Christ) - began with all-night drumming, which continues for seven days.
In another month, on February 7, the Rastafarians of the Bobo Shanti order will celebrate the New Year.

"We believe in a 13-month year. We follow the Julian calendar, which is Ethiopian. We have 28 days in every month, no more. So January is the 13th month and January 7 is the birth of the earth," Kassa, a priest, explains.

The official name for Bobo Camp, also referred to as Zion Hill, is the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress Church of Salvation. Their motto, which is written in a combination of Marcus Garvey and Rastafarian colours - green, black, red and gold - reads: 'Freedom, Redemption and International Repatriation'.

One of Jamaica's 31 Rastafarian orders, the Bobo Shantis were originally housed at 54B Spanish Town Road for 10 years since 1958, under the leadership of Charles Edward, whom they refer to as King Emmanuel, the Black Christ.

Leroy, another priest, said that after the group was driven out of Ackee Walk/Backawall in 1968, the Rastafarians acquired the 'Ten Miles' property on which they now live.

This year Christ-mas fell on a Friday, their Sabbath, which starts at 6:00 pm. From as early as noon, the Bobo Shantis put away all working tools and money, clean their quarters and cook dinner in preparation for the Sabbath.

"Christ-mas begins at 3:00 p.m. and we sing hymns and read three Psalms to begin the celebrations," says priest Kassa.
In fact, the Bobos have a three-hour long Psalm reading. At 6:00 pm, they take a break, and the celebrations commence after 7:00 pm.

Just as in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the women sit on the right of the altar and men on the left. They are all dressed in white from head-gear to sandals.

Empress Sharon says white is worn on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and on Fridays. "It is a symbol of purity," she says.

Facing the east, with their left hands raised to the star-spotted night sky, the three leading priests - those who conduct the service - chant: "Almighty Jah, Rastafari," before they continue in a long prayer.

"Each time we pray, we face the east, which is the direction of Zion, and each time a hymn is finished we face the east," says Empress Sharon.

After the prayer, priest Bailey affirms: "The 7th of January is truly the black man's Christ-mas."

The three priests read Psalm 136, which they do every Sabbath.

Then they sing Christ-mas choruses that bare some vague similarity to mainstream Christmas songs. For example, 'Joy to the World', transformed by the nyahbinghi beat, sounded nothing like the popular version.

At Bobo Camp, Christ-mas too is a time for sharing, so neighbours and visitors often get fruits and roots wine.
As for the children, they are not exposed to the commercial side of Christmas.

"We give them fruits. Our children don't play with western toys. they have their shakers," says priest Kassa.

The shakers, hand-clapping and the aroma of marijuana, mingle with the sounds of the binghi drums and voices that sing 'Joy to the world; the Lord is Come'.

The singing continues until morning. And for seven days in January, Christ-mas flows through the hills.

- margaretl@jamaicaobserver.com

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