Jamaican Rastas bring cultural diversity to ‘Promised Land’- by Patrina Pink
Rastafarians who have repatriated to the Shashemene province in southern Ethiopia are reportedly having a monumental impact upon the youth of the area.
From embracing vegetarianism, Jamaican names and the infamous ‘rude boy’ mannerisms, to speaking Jamaican, young Ethiopians in Shashemene have abandoned the ‘Babylon’ language of the past and have embraced the new ‘livity’ of their Rastafari brethren and sistren.
Nicknamed ‘Little Jamaica’, the Shashemene area has been inhabited by Jamaicans since the 1960s. In 1968, Haile Selassie I legitimised the use of property in what has come to be known as the Shashemene Land Grant.
Since then, the land has been available to members of the diaspora wishing to return ‘home’. Jamaicans living in Shashemene have since developed relations with Ethiopian women and men. The offsprings of these relations are considered Jamaican under Ethiopia’s strict anti-migrant laws, despite being born in Shashemene.
It is this first generation of children, commonly referred to as the ‘free-born’ generation, that has been critical to much of the cultural exchange between young Jamaicans and Ethiopians. Yet, with almost 500 Rastafarians settled in Shashemene, how did this radical group build its foundation in Ethiopia?
“Rastafari sees Ethiopia as the ‘Promised Land’. It’s really been about 50 years now that West Indians have been trying to settle there. The most substantial efforts have been made by the Twelve Tribes of Israel,” said Dr Jalani Niaah, a lecturer in the Department of Cultural and Reggae Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.
“Twelve Tribes is the largest numerical group among the Jamaicans there, but the Ethiopian Federation has a presence that predates that of Twelve Tribes,” he added.
Niaah accounts that it was the scientific use of fact-finding missions organised by the Twelve Tribes group, prior to settling, that was largely responsible for Rastafari success in Ethiopia. After the missions, the group sent individuals and their families, in different rounds, to settle.
Fundamental exchange
In a presentation at UWI titled ‘Ethiopia speaks Jamaican Creole: Voices from Shashemene’, Renato Tomei, a linguistics researcher at the University for Foreigners Perujio, reflected on the impact of Jamaican patois on Ethiopian youth.
“The exchange between Jamaicans, particularly Rastafarians in Shashemene and young Ethiopians, is very fundamental and important. The local youths greet Rastafari in Jamaican patois. They have a lot of respect for Rasta and Jamaicans, especially.”
Tomei has worked as an instructor at the Jamaica Rastafari Development Community (JRDC) School in Shashemene and said his class had several Caribbean nationals as well as Ethiopian children.
“The diversity that Rasta is helping to bring to Shashemene is amazing.
“It is truly something special. I had two Trinidadians in my class sitting beside Bajans and Jamaicans, as well as local children. The cultural mix and exchange is wonderful.”
The local children of Shashemene are not just speaking Jamaican, some consider themselves to be Jamaican.
One young man, who Tomei showed a video of, was living in Addis Ababa, the capital, but through his early interaction with Rastafarians, particularly at the JRDC school, he had abandoned what he said one of his teachers referred to as ‘Babylon English’.
“Jamaicans are Africans. They are Ethiopians, we are one Africa,” said the youngster.
In a country where social mobility is often a fancy term in a social-studies textbook, relatively few will ever get the chance to read. The Rastas provide schools for children, and work on their many farming and hotel projects for many local parents.
Recently, the JRDC funded the construction of a police post. This has done wonders for community relations and Shashemene policemen are said to be tolerant of Rastas’ use of marijuana.
“Rasta has done well in Shashemene. I see the relationship growing and getting stronger and stronger.
“The next concern must be the nationality of children born in Ethiopia,” said Tomei.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100618/news/news4.html
I don’t know why our brothers from the Diaspora would go all the way to Ethiopia to settle down when there are many countries in West and Central Africa to welcome them. The truth is that Ethiopians are racist and don’t see themselves as Africans. They don’t even want to identify with Africa so don’t waste your time and energy to go Ethiopia or so-called promised land. The Promised Land is the whole Afrikan continent, it is the Holy Land.
I spent almost three years in Ghana and i met many of the so-called African-Americans who came back there. Some have been living there for decades and are making it well. They are so well integrated in the Ghanian nation that you only recognize them when they speak with American accent. Two of the Ghanaian Black Stars soccer players are Jamaicans born in Ghana. So our brothers should stop going to places like Ethiopia where they are seen as strangers even though they were born there. It is a known fac thatt most of your ancestors came from Central and West Africa so why should you go to Ethiopia? Here in Canada where i live Ethiopians will never say they are Africans when asked by white people where they are from. They will only turn to us when faced with racism. As Afrikan, i am and will be always proud of where i am from. If our brothers from the diaspora want to go home let them go to Central and West Africa. We are ready to welcome you.
Ethiopia is an ancient and historic country. Regardless of its enternal problems, Ethiopia was a symbol for freedom,equality and fraternity during the colonial power in the world. The freedom spirit in Ethiopia outshined and succeeded in African States in 1960th. All Ethiopians believe taht they are true Africans as their African brothers and sisters. Ethiopians respect all African Brothers and Sisters and proclaim the equality of human kind. Especially to our dearest Jamicians Ethiopian people give great respect. We Ethiopian Wel-comes you to the Holy Land. The brotherhood spirit now grows from time to time. In order to learn about the Ethiopians and their culture it is adivisable some one has to visit the country.
I would like to express my respect to all Africans and the world people. And assure you that Ethiopian people Wel-comes any visitor to show its ancient history.
Visit Ethiopia and make it your own home since we are living in this small planet together.
I have been to Ethiopia three times now 1984, 2009 and 2010 I have decided to repatriate there as well. I have never felt unwanted by Ethiopians – When I go back many Ethiopians remember me by name and make me feel like we are all one. The few I feel an “unwelcome” vibe from do not change how much I love and respect Ethiopia and its proud people. No where on earth is 100% perfect., but we as Rasta gather in Ethiopia where the King of Israel – King Solomon was seated on the throne of David. Israel – once scattered to the four corners and now in this dispensation, are gathering unto Judah, from the four corners of the earth; out of many nations; back unto Judah until Shilo come ….
Jesus Christ who shall eventually have his time again on earth will rule ON THE THRONE of DAVID over the whole earth & will be seated in Jerusalem…So truly and respectfully, Ethiopia is just a interim place for Rasta as we prepare to meet our God and King who is JESUS CHRIST.
His Majesty Selassie Israels King from the Line Of David & Solomon promised as a gift the land of Shashemene in Ethiopia to Africans in the Diaspora that wanted to repatriate. People can go anywhere they choose when it comes to returning to Africa, but we the Rasta choose the land where the Kings of Israel, such as King Solomon and Selassie ruled, until we forward on to Jerusalem. And although the government has long stop respecting that land gift that was given through promise of Haile Selassie, we hope their hearts will change over time. So we continue to repatriate to Ethiopa and make life the best we can in Shashemene, and other areas of Ethiopia. Its land promised to us, not the Holy Promised Land, which we all know is Jerusalem .
We need people with vision to help us contribute positively to the Ethiopian communities and to any African community on the continent one choses to go – remember – we must be contributors as Africa awaits it creators. Bless us all in Jesus name.
I am from the English town of Rye, East Sussex, the ancestral home of the Marley family. I will visit Sheshemane later this year to give the community there my translation of the Sheba-Menelik Cycle of the Kebra Nagast and a textbook of Ge’ez, which I trialled in London schools. I have written the following for the National Museum in Adiis Ababa and it is free on http://www.scribd.com
“Ark of the Covenent: evidence supporting the Ethiopian traditions”
ATENSHEN !
FOR ALL HOW BELVE IN LOVE & TRUE (ALL MAN KINKE)Ises
progress demands far sightedness,diligence,sound judgment,and unflinching (Livication) to hard work.
To sustain ones self and to contribute his to the well being of his folloman and socity ,man has to work with resolution and industry .one can only reap that one has sown .I
We remain persuaded that in our efforts to scatter the clouds ,which rim the horizin of our future ,success must come, if onel because failure is un thinkable .Patiece and grim determination are required ,and faith in the guidance of H.I.M 1
Ras Teni Tour and Culteral Advertising & Networking P.L.C
is working on smokeless industry IN SHASHEMENE WE GET LISENSESS
to help & to invole in the opershen of U.S.AFRICA from shashemene (E.W.F) SO WE NEED FINSHAL & MATERIL SUPORT FROM TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN FOR U.S.AFRICA
TO HELP THIS PEROJECT Oromiya credit and seving s.c
SHASHEMENE/ETHIOPIA Ras Teni Berhanu Mrkos/berhanuteni@yahoo.com
ACCUNT 6525
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