The Sunday Mail
Ibo Foroma Rastafarian Perspectives
On Ehud Maskaram/Meskerem 15, 7509 (Sunday September 15, 2016) of the Eighth 8) Millennium Ethiopian Calendar, Nyabinghi Rastafarians gathered for their AGM. The main agenda was paving the way forward into this New Year 7509.
As usual prayer and dance opened the annual event with a cession of drumming and recital of Psalms, the Nyabinghi/Ethiopian Anthem, Nyabinghi/Ethiopian Creed amongst other courtesies and orderlies.
Those invited
Every trodding (long-serving) Binghi brethren or sistren was invited. Members of the following councils were invited: the Nyabinghi Dzimbadzemabwe Elders or Ancients Council, Nyabinghi Dzimbadzemabwe Youths Council and the Nyabinghi Dzimbadzemabwe Sistren’s Council.
Every member of the House was invited so that they can learn how to run the Binghi, especially when the Ancients and experienced Wonderful Councillors are no longer available. The Nyabinghi Theocratic Order functions more like a military institute were officers adhere to a chain of command with recruitment, training and upgrading of ranks constantly occurring.
Those who attended
Although everyone was invited, those who managed to grace this glorious event were quite a few. However, it is relieving to note that nearly all committee members including the chairperson and secretary-general, amongst others were present. Almost all members of the Dzimbadzemabwe Youths Council were present. Disappointing though was the small turn up on behalf of the Ancients Council and not even one member of the Sistren’s Council was there to represent the Empresses.
The common excuse sited by almost all dignitaries who were missing in action was mainly of the financial challenges sort. The current political and economic state of the nation is taking its toll and citizens have to put extra effort towards earning a living before they can fully serve their trusted liturgical duties.
Agenda
Recruitment of fresh blood: Under this topic, it was realised that we seriously need to and must recruit even more brethren and sistren into this here sweet Movement of Jah People. No doubt, there is security in numbers. In that light, especially in contrast and comparison to other religious groups in the nation and beyond, our current numbers are verily too low and unsatisfactory.
To the outside world we say, “he who has an ear to hear let him/her hear, and he who has an eye to see let him/her hear.”
Training of new priests and priestesses: All Binghi brethren and sistren are declared priests or priestesses accordingly. The same again is used to define all as prophets and prophetesses consequently and extends even to kings and queens.
The fulfilment of prophecy is pending as these glorious positions and offices are not yet materialised by their intended officers.
This ongoing process was launched since day one and is never going to stop. Sanctification of young ones and those not yet sanctified: The Nyabinghi do not necessarily baptizs, instead we sanctify.
Nyabinghi brethrens and sistrens have their own unique practices hence all Children of Jah (Jah idren) not yet sanctified are requested and required to be sanctified as soon as is possible. It must be known that there is no rush in Mount Zion. However, time is of the essence.
More outreaches to the outside world: Amongst Rastafarians, an outreach is an event whereby we communicate our particular way of life to the outside world through show casing our (rituals) and practices in a spiritual and (religious) context. During the AGM, it was realised that we have since been holding relatively lesser and lesser outreaches or formal communications with the external world.
It was reasoned that with immediate effect, we need to and must seriously engage the outside world. Reaching out to the world aids in recruiting and also enlightening the general population concerning our mystical way of life very few know a thing about. Participation in maintaining the mountain: It was noted that ones and ones (Rasta for individuals) are currently sleeping on duty.
Holy Mount Zion is no longer as lustrous as it used to be (relatively speaking as others argued). Since cleanliness brings us close unto JAH and an assumed heavenly existence, our premises must reflect the same. A dirty environment breeds diseases.Rastafarians have always been judged for looking rather shabby and not taking full and proper care of our environment will only cement such misconceptions as truth.
Construction of the tabernacle: The Nyabinghi Dzimbadzemabwe Tabernacle is still under construction. The current state of affairs can be blamed on the harsh economic environment currently haunting our nation and continent as results of colonization and neo-colonisation respectively. However, there is no room for excuses in Jah Army.
Binghi brethren and sistren must make sure to adopt or die and stop pointing fingers. Construction of Brethrens’ and Sitrens’ quarters a School or Academic Institution: The International Nyabinghi Guidelines declare that Binghi grounds (premises) must have a Tabernacle, Brethren’s and Sistren’s residence, a Binghi Creche or Pre-School, School, College or Training Centre of some sort and so forth depending on capacity.
Once again, realising these noble ideals is a mastodon task and perhaps the IMF or World Bank must chip in. Most members belong to the lowest levels of material acquisition or amassment and hence cannot easily uplift the current state of affairs. Construction of medical facility or clinic: The recently held AGM revealed that the realization of the Nyabinghi Medical Facility is a long way off.
It was realised that we shall have to compromise and engage western alternatives despite our undeniable Afrocentric stand point. Nyabinghi Rastafari online newspaper: With immediate effect, the Rastafari online newspaper also known as Rastafari Perspectives is now online, live and kicking.
Anyone from anywhere all around the world can now easily link and communicate with Rastafarians in Zimbabwe and beyond via the Internet. From one’s laptop or mobile phone, anyone from any work of life can now follow the Rasta way of life on this digital interface beyond limits.
Conclusion
Not everything that was reasoned by Nyabinghi brethrens has been documented here. For such purposes, a volume needs to be compiled. Nevertheless Melkam Addis Amet (Happy New Year) everyone!
