In Kenya's capital, a new Rastafari temple shows the movement's endurance
The rare event — opening a tabernacle made of wooden poles and roofed with iron sheets — illustrated the community's expanding ranks in a country where until recently Rastafari was not considered a legitimate religion.
Things changed in 2019 with a court ruling in favor of a petitioner who cited discrimination when her school demanded that she cut her dreadlocks, often preferred by those who follow the Rastafari religion.
The student's refusal to cut her locks had resulted in her expulsion from school, but the High Court ruled Rastafari was a legitimate religion that should be protected, a ruling later affirmed by the Supreme Court.
A history of the religion
Across the world, the faithful are known as Rastafarians, members of the movement launched in 1930 with the coronation in Ethiopia of Ras Tafari Mekonnen as Emperor Haile Selassie I. Rastafarians believe Selassie was the final incarnation of the biblical Jesus, and during his reign many Rastafarians made pilgrimage to the Horn of Africa nation. For Rastafarians, Ethiopia was a symbol of pride for its unbroken resistance to colonizers and Selassie was Jah, the deity.
Selassie was removed from power in a 1974 coup by a military junta. He died a year later. But the movement inspired by his rise to power in Ethiopia survives in countries ranging from the United States to Ghana.
A religious minority in Kenya
It is unclear how many people identify as Rastafari in Kenya, a country dominated by Christians and Muslims. At least 30 Rastafarians came to the tabernacle opening in Ruai, some 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Nairobi, last month.
In Kenya, the movement is set up under three 'mansions' or branches: Nyabinghi, Bobo Ashanti and The Twelve tribes of Israel. The 'mansions' represent small groups of Rastafarians who meet to worship together. Unlike traditional places of worship that are housed in architect-designed permanent structures, a Rastafari tabernacle is built with wooden poles, roofed with iron sheets and decorated in the unmistakable Rastafari colors of red, yellow and green.
Rastafarians around the world have a reputation for their unique Afrocentric spirituality, and they are generally known to be peace advocates. They oppose oppression and gravitate to music and art. The Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley was a famous Rastafari.
There are challenges, including those that stem from misunderstandings about the religion. Across East Africa, Rastafarians are often stereotyped as lazy and indulging in prohibited substances like marijuana. Known to Rastafarians as ganja, marijuana is an important item in religious ceremonies.
Rastafarians share their experience practicing the faith
The community has been growing in Kenya, attracting mostly young people.
Ng'ang'a Njuguna, a Rastafari elder in the Nyabinghi mansion of Kenya, describes Rastafari as not just a religion but a way of life.
'It is a spiritual way of life,' he said. 'That is why we connect with nature, we connect with animals, we connect with every living being because Rastafari is all about the spiritual world.'
Fedrick Wangai, 26, is one of the newest members. He converted six years ago in what he described as his emancipation from Western religion.
'I grew up in a Christian setup and I ended up questioning the faith because it was made by the white man who was the colonial master of my forefathers,' he said. 'Growing up for me in that religion was very difficult for me because I believe it brought division to the Black people.'
Christine Wanjiru, a 58-year-old who became a Rastafarian in 1994, making her one of the oldest members of her community, recalled that being one once was difficult as it often attracted discrimination and stigma.
'Back then, there was a lot of stigma and discrimination against Rastafari,' she said. 'Most people never saw Rastafari as a good thing or a spiritual thing, from family members to the government, the police, all round. But we endured and we are here today.'
She added, however, that since then 'more brethren have received this light and have come to Rastafari.'
Ng'ang'a Njuguna, an elder in the Nyabinghi mansion, says the movement has been growing largely because of interest from young Kenyans.
'They have that fire, they like how Rasta people carry themselves, how Rasta people live,' he said. 'Our diet, art and skills.'
___
Associated Press writer Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed to this report.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ten cheetah cubs destined to be sold as pets rescued from captivity
Ten cheetah cubs held in captivity since birth and destined for international wildlife trade markets have been rescued in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. Laurie Marker, the founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), which is caring for the cubs, said on Wednesday they were all in a stable condition despite all of them having been undernourished and limping due to being tied in captivity for months. She said one eight-month-old cub was unable to walk after been tied up for six months, while a five-month-old was 'very malnourished (a bag of bones), with sores all over her body and full of botfly maggots which are under the skin'. She added: 'But with cubs like this, we need to start them onto on food slowly due to refeeding syndrome, similar to people in starvation.' Two people who were in possession of the cubs were arrested during a August 14 operation in the northern Sallahley district. The authorities have urged the public to report suspected wildlife trade activities. Environment ministry director Abdinasir Hussein Said told journalists that the cheetah cubs have joined a group of 109 others rescued in similar operations. Somaliland is a major transit hub for the illegal wildlife trade. Hundreds of cheetahs and leopards from the Horn of Africa have been transported to Gulf countries through the Gulf of Aden. Possession of wildlife is illegal in Somaliland, and police often crack down on suspected traders. 'We encourage the people of Somaliland to protect wildlife in their natural habitats, as their best interests lie there,' said Mr Hussein. 'We can imagine the distress of a mother being separated from her young. 'These animals are currently suffering due to being separated from their mothers, which may lead to the mothers experiencing stress and potentially dying. 'Once again, we emphasise the importance of protecting wildlife in their habitats.' Conservationists in the Horn of Africa have previously expressed concern over the rise in demand for exotic pets in Gulf countries and the resulting illegal trade affecting ecosystems in Horn of Africa nations.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Cheetah cubs destined for the illegal trade in exotic wildlife rescued in Somaliland
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ten cheetah cubs held in captivity since birth and destined for international wildlife trade markets have been rescued in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia Laurie Marker, the founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). which is caring for the cubs, said Wednesday they were all in a stable condition despite all of them having been undernourished and limping due to being tied in captivity for months. She said one 8-month-old cub was unable to walk after been tied up for six months, while a 5-month-old was 'very malnourished (a bag of bones), with sores all over her body and full of botfly maggots which are under the skin.' 'But with cubs like this, we need to start them onto on food slowly due to refeeding syndrome, similar to people in starvation,' she added. Two people who were in possession of the cubs were arrested during a Aug 14 operation in the northern Sallahley District. The authorities have urged the public to report suspected wildlife trade activities. Environment Ministry Director Abdinasir Hussein Said told journalists that the cheetah cubs have joined a group of 109 others rescued in similar operations. Somaliland is a major transit hub for the illegal wildlife trade. Hundreds of cheetahs and leopards from the Horn of Africa have been transported to Gulf countries through the Gulf of Aden. Possession of wildlife is illegal in Somaliland, and police often crack down on suspected traders. 'We encourage the people of Somaliland to protect wildlife in their natural habitats, as their best interests lie there,' said Hussein. 'We can imagine the distress of a mother being separated from her young. 'These animals are currently suffering due to being separated from their mothers, which may lead to the mothers experiencing stress and potentially dying. Once again, we emphasize the importance of protecting wildlife in their habitats.' Conservationists in the Horn of Africa have previously expressed concern over the rise in demand for exotic pets in Gulf countries and the resulting illegal trade affecting ecosystems in Horn of Africa nations. ——- Associated Press journalist Mohamed Sheikh Nor contributed to this report from Mogadishu, Somalia
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Washington Post
In Kenya's capital, a new Rastafari temple shows the movement's endurance
NAIROBI, Kenya — At a recent opening of the newest Rastafari place of worship just outside Kenya's capital , some of the faithful gathered to sing rhythmic songs, read Scripture and exchange teachings on the appropriate way to live. The rare event — opening a tabernacle made of wooden poles and roofed with iron sheets — illustrated the community's expanding ranks in a country where until recently Rastafari was not considered a legitimate religion . Things changed in 2019 with a court ruling in favor of a petitioner who cited discrimination when her school demanded that she cut her dreadlocks, often preferred by those who follow the Rastafari religion. The student's refusal to cut her locks had resulted in her expulsion from school, but the High Court ruled Rastafari was a legitimate religion that should be protected, a ruling later affirmed by the Supreme Court. Across the world, the faithful are known as Rastafarians, members of the movement launched in 1930 with the coronation in Ethiopia of Ras Tafari Mekonnen as Emperor Haile Selassie I. Rastafarians believe Selassie was the final incarnation of the biblical Jesus, and during his reign many Rastafarians made pilgrimage to the Horn of Africa nation. For Rastafarians, Ethiopia was a symbol of pride for its unbroken resistance to colonizers and Selassie was Jah, the deity. Selassie was removed from power in a 1974 coup by a military junta. He died a year later. But the movement inspired by his rise to power in Ethiopia survives in countries ranging from the United States to Ghana. It is unclear how many people identify as Rastafari in Kenya, a country dominated by Christians and Muslims. At least 30 Rastafarians came to the tabernacle opening in Ruai, some 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Nairobi, last month. In Kenya, the movement is set up under three 'mansions' or branches: Nyabinghi, Bobo Ashanti and The Twelve tribes of Israel. The 'mansions' represent small groups of Rastafarians who meet to worship together. Unlike traditional places of worship that are housed in architect-designed permanent structures, a Rastafari tabernacle is built with wooden poles, roofed with iron sheets and decorated in the unmistakable Rastafari colors of red, yellow and green. Rastafarians around the world have a reputation for their unique Afrocentric spirituality, and they are generally known to be peace advocates. They oppose oppression and gravitate to music and art. The Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley was a famous Rastafari. There are challenges, including those that stem from misunderstandings about the religion. Across East Africa, Rastafarians are often stereotyped as lazy and indulging in prohibited substances like marijuana. Known to Rastafarians as ganja, marijuana is an important item in religious ceremonies. The community has been growing in Kenya, attracting mostly young people. Ng'ang'a Njuguna, a Rastafari elder in the Nyabinghi mansion of Kenya, describes Rastafari as not just a religion but a way of life. 'It is a spiritual way of life,' he said. 'That is why we connect with nature, we connect with animals, we connect with every living being because Rastafari is all about the spiritual world.' Fedrick Wangai, 26, is one of the newest members. He converted six years ago in what he described as his emancipation from Western religion. 'I grew up in a Christian setup and I ended up questioning the faith because it was made by the white man who was the colonial master of my forefathers,' he said. 'Growing up for me in that religion was very difficult for me because I believe it brought division to the Black people.' Christine Wanjiru, a 58-year-old who became a Rastafarian in 1994, making her one of the oldest members of her community, recalled that being one once was difficult as it often attracted discrimination and stigma. 'Back then, there was a lot of stigma and discrimination against Rastafari,' she said. 'Most people never saw Rastafari as a good thing or a spiritual thing, from family members to the government, the police, all round. But we endured and we are here today.' She added, however, that since then 'more brethren have received this light and have come to Rastafari.' Ng'ang'a Njuguna, an elder in the Nyabinghi mansion, says the movement has been growing largely because of interest from young Kenyans. 'They have that fire, they like how Rasta people carry themselves, how Rasta people live,' he said. 'Our diet, art and skills.' ___ Associated Press writer Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
