Greetings
and Rastafari Blessings to the Rastafari Family Worldwide, Seven Hundred
and Fifty-Three days before the Ethiopian Millennium (September 11, 2007).
It
is with upful irits that I write the following Star Order Update on the
Trinidad and Tobago Rastafari United (TTRU) First Groundation which
recently convened from August 3rd
to August 16th in Fyzabad, Trinidad.
As
Coordinator of the Issembly For Rastafari Iniversal Education (IRIE), I
was invited to join a five-person delegation forwarding from the United
States to the TTRU
Groundation. IRIE’s purpose was to conduct the Repatriation Census
workshop which was previously conducted at the Rastafari Summit In Panama
last May.
The
TTRU was formed in 1999 to meet the growing need for Rastafari Inity in
Trinidad & Tobago. In 1999, TTRU was able to purchase 9.2 acres of
land in South Trinidad (Fyzabad) for the purpose of erecting and
establishing a small but effective educational and self-help project as
well as the development of an agricultural project. In December, 2000,
TTRU began construction of its basecamp at Gowers Well Road at the
historic site used by the Fyzabad revolution fighters. In November 2004,
TTRU launched the Freedom Fighter newsletter which is now downloaded from
the TTRU website by 20,000 readers every month. On the 19th of
February, TTRU held its 2nd in-house gathering at the basecamp
and, having shipped enough books to start a library, opened up a Saturday
Truebrary project open to the public from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Thus, the
TTRU First Groundation, which also served as a work/study trip for two
members of the delegation, was the culmination of seven years of work.
Much raspect to the TTRU for its steady progress.
Two
days prior to the delegations arrival, Rastafari breddren and sistren held
a historic motorcade through the island in celebration of Emancipation Day
in Trinidad.
TTRU
members Ras Lincoln and Ras Abyoni met the delegation at the airport and
carried the delegation to the basecamp. The next morning, the delegation
was given a brief bamboo construction workshop and then cut and
constructed a 20’ by 30’ bamboo A-frame tent that was covered with
tarps and served as a house for the delegation’s camping tents. The
construction of the bamboo structure was a great one-day accomplishment
for the delegation and the work study participants greatly enjoyed their
skills training. Later during the groundation, a second bamboo
construction workshop was giving and the work/study participants
constructed a 20’ bamboo bench for the basecamp. These are the kinds of
skills training that TTRU seeks to provide now and in the future.
During
the first night of reasoning TTRU members leads reasoning on state of
Rastafari in Trinidad as well as the history of the revolutionary
movements in Trinidad in the 1930’s and again in the 1970’s in which
Rastafari people found it necessary to take up arms in their struggle for
truth and justice on the island.
During
the Groundation, IRIE attended a Ethiopian Peace Foundation (EPF) Steering
Committee meeting that was attended by Nyahbinghi, Boboshanti and 12
Tribes members. Since I arrived in Trinidad I had learned much about
events that have greatly energized the Rastafari family in Trinidad. Among
the most important was the 2002 visit of Prince Zara Yacob and the
establishment of the EPF in Trinidad. Brother Zack, who invited and
carried I to the meeting, introduced I&I and I made a presentation
about the African Union and the Repatriation Census and invited all of
them to participate in the Repatriation Census workshop at the TTRU camp
Saturday afternoon (August 6th). Questions were asked and
answered and the presentation was well received and generated much
interest vibes.
The
EPF meeting continued and focused mainly on their unfinished business
leading to their three-month three-nation fact-finding mission to Nigeria,
Ghana and Ethiopia that is departing at the end of August. There was a
high level of reasoning about the African Union. Several times it had been
mentioned that Nigerian President Obasanjo had a few days ago made a visit
to Trinidad which received wide publicity. Of most interest to the
Rastafari Family in Trinidad was President Obasanjo’s remarks about
including the African Diaspora as a Sixth Region in the African Union. I
noted that last month the African Union stated that it agreed in principle
to a continent-wide citizenship based, perhaps, on an African Union
passport.
Throughout
the TTRU groundation, I reasoned with the EPF about specific ways that the
EPF, which a few years ago announced that they were establishing a
Technicians Skills Database, could coordinate with the Repatriation
Census. IRIE hopes that the EPF in Trinidad will take the lead to
encourage all EPF membership worldwide to participate in the Repatriation
Census by filling out the census forms.
On
Saturday, August 6th, the TTRU hosted a program that was
well-attended. IRIE gave a report on the Rastafari Summit in Panama and
gave a teaching on “Current (electromagnetic vibration) in the
Iyahbinghi”. After chanting ises, a full Ital meal was then served to
all present.
With
an Ila vibe, Rastafari mystics governed the program and each and every
presentation was heartfelt, pointed, and edifying. IRIE conducted the
Repatriation Census workshop. Professor Lance Seunarine, Trinidadian
author of several books on Rastafari, made an especially entertaining
presentation. One woman came
to tears listening to Ras Lincoln and the congregation was silent when Ras
Ravin came forward later in the evening to give his sound. Brother Jag,
serving as Keeper of Protocol, gave much irits and Istimony while
introducing each speaker. Brother Zack blocked a powerful wordsound, and
Ras Ivo from the Nyahbinghi House in Grenada, burned a hot fire and
skillfully rightly divided the word, particularly the interpretation and
meaning of Revelations 12.
The
program was closed at 10:00 pm and reasoning continued until 1:00 am and
beyond . . . . .
In
the next light, the Groundation held an intervention that was requested in
order to respond to a situation involving a very bright Rastafari youth
who was having some problems at school. In the afternoon, about 30 people
showed up to hear results of the Repatriation Census workshop which is
posted below.
Brother
Lance gave another entertaining reasoning and Dr. Jennifer Jones, Senator
from the opposition party in the Parliament of Trinidad, spoke of the
terrible conditions of the people of Trinidad. I was struck by the
description of the community of school children as young as 4 years old
who have to dress and feed themselves and get themselves to school and by
the grip that American cultural imperialism has stolen a generation of
Trinidad youth.
There
was much chanting of Ises . . . . . .
Following
the main program on August 6th and 7th,
I&I went to San Fernando and the La Brea Pitch Lake. An ancient
Rastaman was I&I tour guide and explained that the La Brea Pitch Lake
was a unique geological feature special to Trinidad. The lake produces the
“pitch” which is used in asphalt all over the world. Sir Walter
Raleigh was educated about pitch while seeking a means to repair and
“plug” leaks in his ships. The people of the island showed Mr. Raleigh
a process which completely plugged the holes. This process Raleigh
described in Europe, and today all of the world has paved asphault streets
(except, Trinidad, which does not seem to be able to repair its own
roads!). After the history/education workshop on Trinidad’s pitch lake,
I&I went to the beach and swam in its warm waters overlooking
Venezuela.
When
I&I returned, I reasoned with Brother Frank, an influential worker and
activist in the international labour movement who asked I much questions
about Rastafari history and significance, its relationship with non-rastas
fighting for the same truth, justice and equal rights, and asked why there
was no lobbying for legalizing the herb (given the rampant use of drug
testing in Trinidad and around the world), and how could the Rastas in
Trinidad, particularly the TTRU, fulfill its mission and make significant
changes.
TTRU
also conducted a site inspection of Ras Roger’s five acre farm in
Pointe, a southwestern section of Trinidad. Ras Roger has constructed a
two story house on the farm which is growing numerous fruits and
vegetables using multi-crop farming techniques.
On
Sunday, August 14th, the TTRU sponsored a health fair at the
basecamp that was attended by both Rasses and the people of Fyzabad.
Senator Jones came with a mobile health unit comprised of three doctors
from Cuba who gave free check-ups to 47 people in spite of torrential
downpours.
Throughout
the Groundation, there was constant reasoning about Repatriation,
implementing TTRU aims and objectives as well as chanting ises (which
included Iyahbinghi harps AND steel pan).
Overall,
the TTRU Groundation was an overwhelming success that forged strong bonds
of Inity amongst TTRU leadership and membership, amongst TTRU and the
whole Rastafari community in Trinidad, especially the EPF, and amongst
TTRU and its basecamp neighbors.
Of
great significance was the acceptance by TTRU administrators of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I April 14, 1961 proclamation that all
Ministries of the Imperial Government are to prepare 12 month programs in
accordance with a Five-Year Plan. IRIE looks forward to the TTRU Five-Year
Plan and calendar of the upcoming TTRU 12 month program.
Also
of great importance was the TTRU/EPF pledge to travel throughout the
Island of Trinidad and systematically conduct the Repatriation Census
within the next few months. It is hoped that Rastafari people in Trinidad
lead the way by organizing and centralizing itself through the
Repatriation Census. Within two months, Trindad may become the first
island in the Caribbean to be able to identify each and every member of
its Rastafari Family, and specifically those who wish to Repatriate to all
points of Africa in the very near future.
In
addition, brother Frank agreed to conduct research for the Black Star Line
feasibility study that was mandated at the Rastafari Summit in Panama this
past May. Brother Frank will be identifying the network of Pan African
merchants in Trinidad and assessing their production capacity for raw
materials and manufactured products.
IRIE
gives thanks to Ras Ravin, Ras Lincoln, Brother Kai (Cleveland), Brother
Jag, Brother Kwame, Ras Marcus, Brother Zack, Professor Lance, Brother
Frank and their families and friends, who took excellent care of I&I
during the 13-day Groundation. We know that TTRU will accomplish much
during the next 12 months. All who would like to attend next years TTRU
Groundation should begin planning now.
Following
the TTRU Groundation, I traveled to Barbados as the guest of their Pan
African Commission and lecturer for their inaugural Marcus Garvey lecture,
August 21, 2005 under the theme: “Trade, Culture and Repatriation:
Unlocking the Frontiers Between Africa and its Diaspora.” I will be
making a full report of the Barbados trip when the mission is completed.
Most
Heartically and Raspectfully,
Ras
Nathaniel, IRIE & Repatriation Census Coordinator
TTRU
REPATRIATION CENSUS WORKSHOP RESULTS
#
of forms collected:
25
Average
age: 42.17 yrs
Hi: 61
Low: 18
Sex: Male 18
Female 6
Descendants
of Africans taken into captivity:
12 (No: 6, No answer 7)
Country
and Region:
Trindad:
2
Fyzabad,
Trinidad: 19
South
PULLE: 1
Eastern
United States: 2
No
answer: 1
#
of years sighting HIM: (259/21=)
12.3 (259/15) = 17.27
0
years: 6
#
years wearing dreadlocks: (340/25=)
13.6 (340/17=)
20
Not
wearing: 8
Amount
of personal of savings for Repatriation:
TT$60,000
TT$175,000
US$10,000
Airline
ticket: 3
None:16
No
answer: 3
Total:
TT$235,000 US$10,000
Desired
date of Repatriation:
Not
Sure: 6
One
year: 1
2007:
1
Soon:
2
As
Soon as Possible: 2
5
years: 1
12
years from now (2017): 1
N/A:
8
“never
thought about it”
“When
the right time reaches Selassie I will let me know”
“no
special date”
Desired
location of Repatriation:
Ethiopia:
9
Shashemane:
2
Ghana:
2
Benin:1
South
Africa: 3
West
Africa: 1
“I
don’t know”: 2
“any
where (Africa)”: 1
N/A:
6
“never
thought about it”
“need
to know for certain from which grandparents came”
Passport:
Yes: 12
No: 13
Rastafari
Affiliations:
TTRU:
5
EPF:
1
Rastafari
Coorporation: 1
Nyahbinghi:
2
EOC:
1
“many”:
1
“churchical
and agricultural”
“house”:
3
“musical
group”: 2
“publication”:
1
“business”:
2
agricultural
project”: 1
none:
5
Skills
and Training:
Multi-skill:
1
Primary
care-giver: 1
Counseling
youth: 2
“Degrees
in math, English, integrated-science, social studies, principles of
Business and Geography”
farmer:
8
carpenter:
4
street
vendor: 1
tailor:
1
pan
turner: 1
mechanic:
1
business
training: 1
business
management: 3
fashion
designer: 1
masonry:
1
sports:
1
tye-dying:
hand
painting batik: 1
sewing
(machine): 1
infant
daycare: 1
building
(houses): 2
ship
wright and joinery: 1
purchasing
and supply: 1
Intellectual:
1
Welding:
1
Teaching:
2
Medicine:
1
Food
& Nutrition: 1
Organic
agriculture: 1
Write:
1
Computers:1
“a
little of many skills”
Draughting/architecture:
1
