The Woyanne {www:chigaram} regime is fomenting resentment between Rastafarians and other Ethiopians in Shashemene. Some Rastafarians are now relocating to other African countries, like Ghana and South Africa, where the governments are more accommodating.
Rastafarians make it life’s goal to settle in Ethiopia — but the welcome isn’t always warm
(PRI) — {www:Rastafarian} artist Bandi Payne leads visitors through the jungle-like garden that surrounds his house in Shashemene, Ethiopia, pointing out the many trees he’s planted in his two decades here.
“That’s guava, my guava tree. Tangerine, banana trees and… that is cassava,” Payne said pointing to the shrubby plant.
Payne was born on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, but long wanted to make Ethiopia his home.
Rastafarians – whose religion follows an Afro-centric reading of the bible – believe that Ethiopia’s last emperor, who died in 1975, was the {www:Messiah}, fulfilling the Biblical prophecy that kings would come out of Africa.
That belief that Africa is the Promised Land makes moving here a life goal for many Rastafarians.
“Rich is not the right word for it – it’s more than rich, it’s sweeter than honey, more valuable than pearls the culture, very strong,” Payne said.
But while Rastafarians consider their arrival in Africa a {www:homecoming}, Payne said local Ethiopians don’t look at it quite the same way.
“They need to give us a special welcome here, man. People who were taken away from Africa, now they come back home, they should welcome us back. Don’t think they have to have us as foreigners. So we’re working up on that, but it’s an uphill struggle,” he said.
Relations between the Rastafarians and their Ethiopian neighbors have never been great. Rastafarians moved to Ethiopia to create their perfect religious community, not necessarily to fit into the culture.
Different languages and beliefs keep the two groups apart. Most Ethiopians are Orthodox Christians, without much interest in Rastafarian beliefs.
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On Friday nights, members of a Rasta organization called the Twelve Tribes of Israel host parties at their headquarters. Reggae plays as people gather to drink beer and catch up. The smell of marijuana, a sacrament for Rastas but illegal for Ethiopians, hangs in the air.
“The rest of the Ethiopian people know about their hashish, ganja. That’s not good, too. They spoil our kids there,” said Wihibe, who goes by just one name.
Sitting at a local café, he said the Rastafarians generally keep to themselves, coming into town only to shop. Wihibe used to work at a Rastafarian school but said he left because of the attitude.
“They feel like they are superior then us. They assume themselves as more educated and literate than the original Black people here,” Wihibe said.
Rastafarians are starting to take complaints like this seriously and making more of an effort to be involved in the cultural life of their adopted home. Priest Paul Phang is the Rastafarians elected leader.
“If it is our home then we have to fight, eh? Not literally, taking arms or whatever. But make sacrifice to bridge gaps,” he said.
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Rastafarians consider themselves the victims and opponents of colonialism in the Americas, so they say it hurts to be seen as colonizers themselves. Phang said he’s been sending representatives to community meetings and holiday celebrations.
“These are part of the things that the people wanted maybe to see us really within, to show ourselves,” Phang said. “Because if we say we’re African, we’re not really. We’re selfish. We’ve just been by ourselves, not knowing the next side of the culture or whatever.”
But not all Rastafarians are interested in assimilating. Increasingly, they’re heading to other African countries, like Ghana and South Africa, where the culture and government have proved an easier fit for Rastafarians seeking Zion.
(PRI’s “The World” is a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe. “The World” is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston. More about The World.)
15 thoughts on “Rastafarians started to feel unwelcome in Ethiopia”
…”Most Ethiopians are Orthodox Christians”…
This is not true at all. there are more muslims in Ethiopia now a days.
This is the fact. Don’t try to sell ethiopia as a christian or israel related country.
Honestly, it was a mistake going to Ethiopia in the first place with all the Rasta belief, hashish smoking, which Tafari himself didn’t approve, and all the rest. There is enough reason for responsible governments to criminalize marijuana. Ethiopia can’t afford the attitude and its influences on it’s youth. I wonder what benefits Ethiopia gets in doing this except trying to be a patron. Their roots is from Africa, true, but Jamaica is their home now and to whom they are abandoning it? Are they saying they are weak to confront whatever they may have confronted in Jamaica? The same goes to African-Americans and the rest who may be planning to go back. Only when Europeans go back to Caucasus, you will go to Africa.
The reason why the Rastafarians are more wellcomed in other African countries like South Africa and Ghana is because the government’s there do not get influenced by foreign western governments regarding their affairs unlike the beggar Meles Zenawi which is the puppet of USA and European governments.
RASTA HENOKC
You are just deep shit! You must be out of your f*n mind.
The CHIGARAM woyanes do this because they think the name this people have an Amahara King’s name. If they had the name Ras Yohannes instead of Ras Teferei, they would have got the whole province of Sidamo not only the district Shahemene.
Let us hope the Ras Teferians are well aware that, the TPLF regime is responsible creating divisions and hate among Ethiopian ethnic groups since they came to power.
The goal of the Weyane is to disintegrate everything. The Rasteferians must be told about this, that it is not Ehtiopians fault but Weyane’s. Weyane wants to destroy anything Ethiopian and of course now they are coming after Rastafarians. What a shame. This is their promised land. Of course Weyane wants to present that Ethiopia is not a pormised land if Shashemane was not Oromia region but in Tigray, I am sure they will treat them well so that Tigray’s name is good. In fact the history of Rastafarians are they were taken as slaves from Ethiopia and Haile Selassie gave them opportunity so technically they blong there. Even for Oromia the land has been estranged.
Arada,
Indeed Ethiopia has always been christian and will remain that way. It was because of Alamoudi and Weyane that is forcing Islamization of Ethiopia. How many countries have been Islam, they go in slowly and show them the money and convert Indonesia, Singapore etc.. it is because of money.
Zeleke,
I guess you are not worried about the whole CHAT eating spreading like fare that the youth has resort to and sleeping on the streets of Addis and they have to consume chat because it suppresses their hunger but then you are worried about Marijuanna? Are you kidding me?
Sorry but Ratafarians only love the land of Ethiopia and Hailesellassie. However, they have NO love for the people of Ethiopians and to the extent of disrespect.
One also has to ask the question what they have contributed for the advancement of Ethiopia. They have not even became a touristic attraction in their existence of more than 40 years.
Better the illuminatis’. Nothing could be found except Mr. Honestly and Frarhan’s special interest/cut.
Gud,
Not only worried, I strongly condemn the use of CHAT the same way as I condemn using Marijuana, especially by the youth. I hope those who subject the youth to such a life will be brought to justice one day. But this news was about Rastafarians and I was responding to that, as CHAT was not the issue at this point. And remember, two wrongs don’t make something right. We shall condemn both.
Rastafarians are more Ethiopian than chigaram Woyannes. After we kick them out Rastafarians will once again start to feel that they are very welcome in Ethiopia.
Who gives a hoot if the ganja smoking Jamaicans leave Ethiopia? In fact I want them to get the hell out ASAP. They bring nothing but destructive habit to Ethiopia. In Canada Rastafarians are drug dealers and pimps. They don’t have anything ositive to contribute to society.
Honestly we dont need these guys, the gov is doing the right thing. All those pot smokers never contributed anything good to the country in th 60 years theyve been here.
rastafarian are in wrong place.ethiopians mistaken themselves to be african .they shuold categorise themselves in the group of white people because of their colour,not colonized and deserves to be called WAZUNGU AND NOT AFRICANS
True Rasteferians are true Ethiopians and need to understand and adapt to the New Addistu Ethiopia of Haile Selassie I as all Ethiopians would be wise to do for every sake. Those Rases coming from all around the world may have a different background than Ethiopians at home but their love and patriotism for Ethiopia is very great. They generally love all Ethiopians, Africans and all humanity as our Great Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie has taught, showing the world about international morality. RasTeferians denounce tribal superiority and support equal rights and justice for all and love to abide by law except when it comes to use of the cannabis herbs (a medicinal plant created by God Almighty). It is true what Yonas said about lack of development by RasTeferians in Shashemene, but the land was given to people of African descent worldwide who have failed to see the light along with Ethiopians at home who disturb the peace and unity and are yet to understand Ethiopia. More Rasteferians are learning Amharic, share the Tawahdo Christian Faith, love Injera and would die for the sake of Ethiopia if necessary…