22/01/2022
Who kills the Rastas of Sudan?
Khalid Osman
Rasta don't work for no CIA
Bob Marley
The Rastafari movement is classified into two parts. The first is a mythological religious movement that originated in 1930s on the British colony of Jamaica, and the second part is a social movement that has no central leadership or authority that is characterized by great diversity.
Rastafarianism is mythologically connected to Ethiopia, because of Emperor Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari) being a decedent from King Solomon and Queen of Sheba, equally connected to Ethiopia as a free nation that conquered imperialism and colonization under the flag of Lion Judah, whom they consider as the awaited messiah for them, and as a symbol of African liberation them and for the pioneers of the Pan African movement.
From an ideological point of view, according to their belief, Rastafarianism is monotheist belief, because God (Jah) is one, and the emperor for them is like a messenger or an incarnation of Jesus.
The movement has a purely African interest advocating for the African presence in the West (Babylon) and considers African lining there as marginalized and oppressed. The theory calls for the return of all Africans to their motherland (Zion) promise land. Rastas has many rituals, the most famous of which are playing reggae music, singing, and smoking the sacred Granja herb. They also respect nature and lives naturally.
This small group of Rasta played an important role in the struggle against the British colonialists in Jamaica and contributed to the independence of the Caribbean Island from Britain. More than 150 Rastas were killed between 1960 to 1963 in Jamaica when they revolted against the authorities that were trying to displace them in order areas to invest their lands for tourism purposes.
There are now over a million Rastas in the world, despite the movement's glow has faded with the death of the Ethiopian emperor and artist Bob Marley, however, the movement is now considered a secular and social rather than a religious sect.
Bob Marley's music and poetry and the struggles of Rasta were inspiring to these young people in Sudan, and more importantly, the literature left by Marcus Garvey regarding African identity and the fight against colonialism and racial oppression as the corner stones of Rastafarian Movement.
Now the Rastas of Sudan are presenting an appreciable number of martyrs, out of more that 73 Martyrs 50% proudly have their dreadlocks celebrated. We must celebrate their souls soaring in the spaces of this universe, as well as setting up condolence vigils in all Rasta gatherings in Jamaica and elsewhere.
And unto God and to Him we all shall return
