Rastafarian Perspectives: As we commemorate the Battle of Adwa

06 Mar, 2016 - 00:03 0 Views
Rastafarian Perspectives: As we commemorate the Battle of Adwa Lucky Dube

The Sunday Mail

By Ibo Foroma

Armageddon continues

The Ras Tafari Community around the world commemorated the Battle of Adwa which certified Abyssinian’s victory from the European scramble and partition of Africa in the First Italo-Ethiopian War on March 1 and 2.

As usual, with the spirit of joy and jubilation reigning strong, all celebrations cover Sabbath to Sabbath.

However, it is sad to note that early this week we also encountered disturbing news in the passing away of young Menelik McClymont, the son of Jephter McClymont.

Reports said, “The son of Reggae Star Luciano was stabbed during an altercation with unknown assailants on Saturday evening. The police confirmed that 19-year-old Menelik McClymont, a student of 21 Westminister Crescent, Kingston 10, was stabbed on February 27th at 2:30pm.

“He was stabbed by three men in the vicinity of Maths Unlimited in Parkington Plaza, Kingston 10. He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries at about 1:30am on Sunday morning, February 28th.”

May his soul rest in peace.

As if by coincidence, Emperor Menelik was the reigning King of Kings and Lion of the Tribe of Judah when Abyssinia ferociously resisted European Imperialism.

The month of March being already a reverence and honouring of the Roman Mythical god Mars, there is no doubt evil forces are indeed fighting against Selassie I Empire.

Let us also take this time to commemorate and ponder on the untimely deaths of Great Legends; the likes of Peter Tosh, Lucky Dube, Copper Cat and all Reggae musicians and Rastafarians who were killed in the line of duty.

It is a shame to note that Ras Tafari sons and daughters advocate vegan lifestyles that prevent the killing of animals for food and clothing yet they get killed themselves. Rastafarians are basically known as Kings and Queens of Peace with a clean slate record of ‘wars’ to their name (Isaiah 60).

Of course we are warriors and indeed we fight. However, we fight for what is right and not for what is wrong. We fight for equal rights and justice. We fight for the global reign of peace and love in place of war and hate till eternity.

“It was a story that would be followed well beyond the shores of this beautiful Caribbean island. Winston McIntosh, known to his legion of fans as Peter Tosh, the ‘Stepping Razor’, was part of the trio “The Wailers” – the other being Neville Bunny Wailer Livingston and Robert Nesta Marley, known to the world as Bob Marley.

“He was known for his biting lyrics and radical disposition that endeared him to those who opposed “the establishment”. To symbolise this, he carried a guitar in the shape of an M-16 rifle. And it was, ironically, by the gun that he would meet his end.

“Dennis Lobban, familiarly called “Leppo”, appeared before the court charged with multiple murder of Wilton Brown; Peter Tosh and Jeff Dixon, o/c Free I, a well-known Rastafarian broadcaster and disc jockey on the now defunct Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) radio” (The Jamaica Observer).

In the documentary “Behind the Music”, Peter Tosh was actually a ‘friend’ of Leppo, leader of his murderers.

“State witness Mpho Maruping said her husband had confessed his involvement in Dube’s botched hijacking and gave her details on what led to the multi-award-winning superstar’s death.

As Dube’s relatives sobbed, the woman told the Johannesburg High Court of the night that Dube was shot as he dropped off his son and daughter in Rosettenville.

Maruping is the wife of Thabo Maruping. He was initially charged with Dube’s murder but later turned into a state witness. She said her husband and three men on trial for murder, robbery, attempted robbery and illegal possession of firearms – S’fiso Mhlanga, Ludwe Gxowa and Mbuti Mabe – had been on the prowl, hunting for a Chrysler to hijack.

After their search proved fruitless, they parked their VW Polo and waited. Then a Chrysler drove up and stopped not far from them. They pounced. Two shots were fired. Dube tried to drive off but he crashed his car into a tree and died on the spot.

Maruping said on the day Dube was killed, she and Thabo were in Sandton at a time-share meeting. Thabo kept receiving phone calls and later arranged to meet the three accused in the Jo’burg city centre.

Maruping said she asked her husband why Dube was shot.

He said Mhlanga said “he did not see that it was Dube and had thought he was a Nigerian.” As we mourn the death and celebrate the life of Luciano’s son, let us also remember the following Reggae heroes and heroines who lost their lives entertaining the world. May their souls rest in peace. Peace and Love!

Bionic Steve (Steve Townsend) died on January 17 1997 (stabbed).

Bogle Levy (Gerald Levy) died January 20 2005 (fatally shot).

Carlton Barrett died in 1987 (shot).

Charlie Ace died in 1980’s (shot).

David “Black Rat” Bingham died July 20 2002 (shot).

Dirtsman (Patrick Thompson) died December 21 1993 (shot).

DJ Village (Horrace Pinnock) died November 20 2001 (shot).

Dwayne Haughton (Bobby Genius) died in 2011 (shot).

Early B (Earlando Neil) “The Doctor” died September 11 1994 (shot).

Errol Scorcher (Errol Archer) died in 1982 (shot).

Everton DaSilva died in 1979 (shot).

Free I (Jeff Dixon) died September 11 1987 (shot).

General Echo (Errol Robinson) died November 22 1980 (shot).

Jah Lloyd (Pat Francis) died in 1999 (shot).

Jungo Lawes (Henry Lawes) died June 13 1999 (shot).

Junior Braithwaite (the Wailers) died June 2 1999 (shot).

King Tubby (Osborne Ruddock) died in 1989 (shot).

Lucky Dube (Ermelo Dube) died October 18 2007 (shot).

Major Worries died in 1987 (shot).

Margurita died January 2 1965 (stabbed).

Michael Smith died in 1980 (stoned to death).

Mikey Wallace died July 6 1999 (shot).

Nitty Gritty died in 1991 (shot).

Oneil Edwards died May 26 2010 (shot).

Oral Desulme died July 11 2002 (shot).

Pan Head died October 1993 (shot).

Paul Tyrell died February 24 2004 (shot).

Peter Tosh (Peter McIntosh) died September 11 1987 (shot).

Phillip Linton died March 4 2004 (shot).

Prince Far I died September 15 1983 (shot).

Sir JJ (Carl Johnson) died in 1971 (shot).

Tenor Saw (Clive Bright) died August 1988 (killed by a speeding car in Houston).

Theophilus Beckford died February 19 2001 (chopped).

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