Celebrations of Rastafarian culture and heritage in the Virgin Islands came to St. John Thursday. A late afternoon cultural event featured chanting, drumming and reflections on the territory’s first Ras Tafari day of recognition.
People from St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John gathered in Franklin Powell Sr. Park along with residents and visitors to celebrate the July 23 birthday of Ethiopian leader Tafari Makonnen, who later became known as Emperor Haile Selassie I. For those Rastas who adhere to a spiritual practice, Selassie is worshiped as a deity.
Red, yellow and green flags swayed from the Powell Park bandstand as performers and speakers addressed the gathering. The drumming group, Echo People, opened the event, led by St. John artist, musician and culture bearer Delroy “Ital” Anthony. Their performance set the stage for remarks by Tafari Tzaddvi.
Tzaddvi serves as president of the Sacred Mental Cannabis Council and minister of the Ancient Order of the Nyahbinghi. He praised the performers and community members who joined the three-day celebration, along with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., who honored them Wednesday with a ceremony at Government House.
In a statement issued July 9, Bryan said a day would be set aside to recognize “the resilience, spirituality, and cultural contributions of the Ras Tafari community,” and to “affirm the Territory’s respect for religious freedom and cultural expression.”
“We have reached a new point in Rastafari history in the Virgin Islands,” Tzaddvi said.
And turning those who gathered in the park to share in celebration, the speaker spoke about the progress being made in making cannabis cultivation a legitimate commercial and spiritual enterprise. He added that this, the first Rastafari celebration, offers those unfamiliar with the community a chance to meet and get to know them better.
St. Croix Source
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