A NIGHT OF GANJA AS RASTAS PERFORM RITUALS

MBABANE – Being in possession of dagga may be illegal in Swaziland but this did not stop throngs of Rastas from using it for the commemoration of an Ethiopian public holiday – Battle of Adowa.

Battle of Adowa is the commemoration a historical time when Ethiopia defeated the Kingdom of Italy, resulting in it being the only African country to have not been colonised.
Since Friday, rastas were gathered at a house situated on a mountain top in Mbabane where songs of praise were chanted, giving praises to Emperor Haile Selassie.

Dagga, referred to as ganja by Rastas, was smoked freely during the commemoration as it is considered a key part of worship.
Rastas smoke the dagga using a hookah pipe (lishawulo) as opposed to smoking it directly.

Enlightened

The commemoration of the Battle of Adowa coincided with the arrival of Jamaican rasta ‘Bongo Wake I’. In Rastafari lingo this is pronounced, ‘Bongo, you wake I’, meaning ‘Bongo, you have enlightened me’.
Bongo Wake I’s real name is Albert Egreton Whyte.
The name ‘Bongo Wake I’ according to Whyte, was given to him by a Ghanaian.

The Jamaican rasta is visiting the country accompanied by his wife ‘Mama Cherry’ and their son Ricardo.
Bongo is also the Chairperson of the International Nyabinghi Council and he is also considered an Ancient.
Nyabinghis follow a strict way of life known as the Nyabinghi Order.

Throngs of Rastas who follow the strict order of the Nyabinghi were present at the event.
In terms of hierarchy, Rastas have elders, priests and then ancients.
Throughout Saturday, several Rastas gathered and were engaged in sessions known as ‘reasonings’ during which Bongo Wake I, his wife and son were engaged in open discussions.

‘Reasonings’

During ‘reasonings’ Rastas sit around a fire where each person is allowed to share or ask questions while guided by the elders.
This is what was happening on Saturday and yesterday.

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