It's Time For A World Rastafarian Reformation
December 16, 2001
By: Paul Barton
AS RASTAFARI SPREADS WORLDWIDE WE MUST WORK TO IMPROVE, REFORM AND MOVE TO A HIGHER LEVEL
Rastafari may have its origins in the Ethiopian Jewish Traditions, which has their origins in the ancient religions of Nubia-Kush and Khemet (Egypt). If we understand that the land of Ethioipa mentioned in the Bible was in fact Sudan, a land now occupied by Arabs, where Blacks are being treated worse than animals, we will also search and understand that the system of African Kingship of Which the Ethiopian Monarchy was part of, came from Nubia (Ta-Seti) before it was carried on to Egypt and then copied by the Jews, who during the 900's B.C., elected their first king.
RETURNING TO THE ROOTS OF Rastafari
In order to understand the very ancient roots of Rastafari, one has to look at two main groups of Africans whose origins come from ANCIENT EGYPT. One group is the Massai of East Africa who some say are remnants of the "Matoi" or warrior class of ancient Egypt and Nubia-Kush. Rastafari or a similar system of beliefs (without the Abbysinian aspect (modern Ethiopia) also come from the Priestly traditions of ancient Egypt and Nubia-Kush. When we speak of Nyabingi, we are referring to these two aspects of the African warrior/priest tradition. That is the tradition that the Ethiopian warrior/priest societies as well as the ancient Black Jews followed. Rastafari introduced in Jamaica included other elements, such as the recognition of Emperor Haile Salessi's importance in that religion. Yet, we must see Rastafari before Selessi in order to understand it fully.
WHY A REFORMATION IS NEEDED IN Rastafari
Rastafarians and Black people as well as others who believe in Rastafari must work to return the idea of spiritual and social development into the Rastafarian faith. If we return to the origins of Rastafari as extentions of the ancient Egyptian and Nubian traditions of the trained priest and warrior, we would work to bring about a new attitude among Rastafarians, that has always been in the movement, but has been restricted in many cases to music.
RASTARARIANS AND THE ANCIENT TRADITION OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION
One of the greatest aspects of African civilization has been education. The Rastafarian and Coptic as well as the Beta Isreal Jews of Ethiopia have and still have as part of their culture the highest regard for education, science, technoology and religion. To the ancients, these were manifestations of the greatness of God and not separable as in European Christianity. Hence, like he Sikhs of India, Rastafarians should introduce the education mentality. It should be ingrained in Rastafarians as well as Blacks worldwide. The Rastafarians, Black Jews, Coptics, Niyabingi Warriors and even the ancient Workers Guild System of West Africa placed a high priority on education and the gaining of knowledge. ONE OF THE ASPECTS OF RASTAFARIAN REFORMATION SHOULD BE TO DOMINATE AND ACHIEVE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF EDUCATION.
ECONOMICS, AGRICULTURE AND SCIENCE ARE PART OF RASTAFARIANS' ANCIENT HISTORY AND CULTURE
There should also be a move to develop strong economies among the world Rastafarian community in the fields of agriculture, science and the arts/literature. This is already taking place and more should occur (see "Black Education," http://community.webtv.net/paulnubiaempire. Not only should Rastafarians be artists, musicians and entertainers but there should be a move to prepare and encourage Rastafarians to enter into the sciences, technologies agriculture, commerce and other areas of advancement, just as India's Sikhs, Nigerias Yorubas (who are also African Spiritualists) and some of the the worlds most effective businessmen and women.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF Rastafari SPIRITUALISM AND MYSTICISM
The Rastafarian community worldwide should also develop the deeply spiritual and mystic aspects of Rastafari. These aspects include meditation and developing the power of the mind beyond anything understandable today. One important part of African religion is the fact that there is a belief that we are in FACT PEOPLE OF GOD AND CONTAIN THE POWERS OF THE GODHEAD WITHIN US.
MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SOCIETIES
Rastafarians must be very strong and dedicated to the improvement of the lives of people whether they are Rastafarians or not. As mentioned before, the push to achieve to succeed and to become professional who can make a difference (as many Indian Sikhs and Nigerian Spiritualists are doing ), will help to improve the image of Rastafarians on a worldwide scale. Such a move will also change the negative mentalities of many who will quickly accept WESTERN RELIGIONS THAT CLASSIFY BLACKS AS BEING LESS OR BEING "CURSED" (IE THE "CURSE OF HAM" MYTH), or religions that insult or place Blacks in a Caste-racist situation, or classify Blacks as "infidels" and commit genocide against them. Yet, they will sneer and turn their noses at the Spiritualist African religions that contributed to our survival or look down their noses at Rastafarians. We may not care what others think, but we should still work to improve our lives and contribute to this earth.
THE PROPER USE AND ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH BY RASTAFARIANS
One of the greatest problems we Blacks face worldwide is the FALSE BELIEF THAT GOD WANTS BLACK PEOPLE TO BE POOR, because we will be rich and better off in heaven. Well, we should not continue believing in this myth. If that was the case, the Isrealites, the Jews, the various religions on the planet would not work to improve their economic conditions. The only way Jews, Catholics, Protestants an other religions can help the poor and help improve the society is if and when they work to build their own wealth and economy.
RASTAFARIANS SHOULD BELIEVE IN THE CREATION OF WEALTH TO HELP MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS AND HELP THOSE WHO ARE POOR.
In retrospect, religion is the mirror to the soul. We must never discard religions that our ancestors introduced from Africa or we reintroduced in the world. We should work to reform and improve what needs to be improved and build our faith and belief to a strong level that helps us gain true salvation and a good life while we are living on this earth. The improvement of Black religions is very important to our improvement as a race and people (see the great work, "Susu and Susunomics: The Theory and Practice of Pan-African Trade, Commerce, Money and Wealth," published by IUniverse, Inc., 910 East Hamilton Avenue;Suite 100, Campbell, California, 95008 U.S.A www.iuniverse.com This is a very important blueprint for economic development. Every household, every government economic and cultural ministry should have a copy and examine the economic ideas. This book has helped to bring about change in a numnber of communities including being read by members of the Black Dalit community of India and various Black community leaders, individuals and economists in the U.S., Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and elsewhere communities.
See also the great works, "Susu Economics: The History of Pan-African Trade, Commerce, Money and Wealth," pub. by 1stBooks Library, 2959 Vernal Pike, Bloomington, Indiana 47404 U.S.A phone: 1(812) 339-8640 email; 1stbooks@1stbooks.com site; www.1stbooks.com A preview of this and other works at www.barnesandnoble.com
A most important work, "A History of the African-Olmecs: Black Civilizations of America from Prehistoric Times to the Present Era," pub. by www.1stbooks.com The most hidden aspect of Black history is the fact that great Black civilizations existed in the Americas before Columbus and there was a worldwide network of trade and commerce between the Old World and New World for thousands of years.
Paul Barton
Nubianem3@webtv.net
http://community.webtv.net/paulnubiaempire
www.westpapua.net (The racial genocide against Blacks in West Papua and Melanesia).
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