Harris Gave ‘Joy' a Bad Rap
Roy Hall
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
4 hours ago
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.' ___
San Francisco Chronicle
5 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
In Kenya's capital, a new Rastafari temple shows the movement's endurance
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — 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. 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. 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 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.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
High school student spearheads extraordinary project after receiving surprising approval from state agency: 'They understood ... our actions'
High school student spearheads extraordinary project after receiving surprising approval from state agency: 'They understood ... our actions' One teen conservationist in Grand Marais, Michigan, is making a huge difference to the local population of deer, Upword reported. Sixteen-year-old Will Paul masterminded a habitat improvement project, which involved the 37 students at his high school, teachers, local businesses, community members, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative. Paul is a student at Burt Township School, and he's enthusiastic about the outdoors and conservation. He decided to write a grant proposal for the Deer Range Improvement Program. The program is funded by $1.50 set aside from the price of every deer license sold in the state and is designed to maintain healthy habitats for a healthy deer population, which also helps keep a balance with other wildlife. Maintaining natural areas with diverse species is critical for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors. It's also necessary to protect those who rely on the wilderness for food or employment. That's why the habitat improvement initiative claims about $100,000 of the funds allocated to the improvement program every year. "It's a misconception that we're spending large amounts of money on private lands behind locked gates," said Bill Scullon, field operations manager from the Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Division, per Upword. "That's not the case." When the department received Paul's application — which was well-crafted, detailed, and more extensive than what it typically receives — it had to propose breaking the large project into a two-year undertaking. With a few adjustments, Paul secured a $10,673 grant. That money went toward planting 425 trees and shrubs across the 600 acres of school-owned forest. Fifty of the trees were fruit trees, largely apples and plums, and another 350 were a mixture of conifers and deciduous trees. The combination was designed to provide food for the deer, including during crucial times of year such as the winter, when they are likely to struggle. Since grant recipients are expected to match 25% of the grant, which can be paid off in volunteer work, Paul and his teachers, along with experienced conservationists like Alex Kolton and Eryn Grupido, brought together the school's 37 students to plant the trees. How much money do you plan to spend on home improvement projects this year? Under $1K $1K to $5K $5K to $10K Over $10K Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "We broke the students into manageable groups based on age and had about 15 kids out several times to help with the planting," Kolton said, per Upword. "Eryn ensured they understood the 'why' behind our actions — why we were planting certain species and how it would benefit the ecosystem." The program also accepted discounted supplies from local businesses and volunteer efforts from parents and community members. Now the local animals will have that much easier of a time this winter — and every winter to come. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
