VERNON Carrington, revered by members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel rastafari organisation as the Prophet Gad, passed away at his home last week. He was 69.

Prophet Gad, who has been ailing for sometime, is credited by some of his followers for resurrecting the biblical Twelve Tribes of Israel in Jamaica in 1969, three years after the state visit of late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1966.

Members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel - with branches in Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, England, New York, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago - see the Ethiopian emperor as Christ in his kingly character.

In the 1970s, the Twelve Tribes of Israel, was the most visible Rastafari "mansion", drawing its membership mainly from middle class Jamaican families, among them then was the present minister of national security Dr Peter Phillips and Bongo Jerry (Jerry Small), brother of former government minister, Hugh Small.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel was also the dominant force in the local music industry, having in its ranks the likes of Reggae superstars Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, Israel Vibration, Freddie McGregor, Fredlocks, Little Roy, Hugh Mudell, and deejays Brigadier Jerry, Sister Nancy and Sister Carol, among others.

According to executive member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel Horace Sangie Davis, who is also a musician, singer, songwriter, arranger and producer, Prophet Gad's legacy was in his teachings of Christ and repatriation, the encouragement of dialogue and non-violence.

With the passing of Gad, the Twelve Tribes of Israel will be run by an executive board, Davis told the Observer.

- waltersb@jamaicaobserver.com

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