Interviewing a Rastafari Bredrin from Kenya

From The Rastafari Expression,
A regular column by Kaya I IsesaJah, Sep 20, 2005         

KI. How did the I come to trod Rastafari? How long have the I been trodding the path?

GM. From the beginning I used to look at Rastafari brethren with some dread. The first time I saw a locks man in a London night club I was shocked by the sight of his enormous locks. Around 1978 I was sitting with my brethrens listening to Bob Marley’s signing “War” Tears came to my eyes and I said Rastafari. From that time till now I have been troding the path of Rastafari expressing my spirituality through the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido faith.

KI. Where did the I grow up? What was the I experiences before your present path?

GM. I was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica and traveled to London to be with my parents in July 1964. Most of my studies were done in London where I went to primary, secondary school and finally University where I studied Law.

KI. What is your opinion of the Internet, in terms of the Rastafari experience?

GM. Like all modern technology the Internet can be a good medium of communication for Rastafari internationally but it can also be a tool for collecting information on Rastafari by the system.

KI. How does the I find the governing factors of Rastafari presently?

GM. Since the birth of Rastafari to the present very little has been done in terms of organizing and centralizing as taught by the King. There are many Mansions of Rastafari, which is not a bad thing in itself, but I believe that Rastafari must debate the fundamental tenet of Rastafari, which in my opinion, has to do with the question of the divinity of His Imperial Majesty, such that InI can come to one view on this fundamental tenet. I believe that if InI were to debate and come to a one voice in strict accordance with the teachings of the King and the bible InI would go a lot further in terms of centralizing and organizing.

KI. Does the I have any suggestions to the Rastafari Community in achieving Inity?

GM. By simple following the teachings of the King He gave InI the Ethiopian World Federation Inc, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the OAU now the AU. If InI followed the principles laid down in these institutions Inity would be a lot closer to InI and Rastafari would then be in a better position to play a more positive role in world affairs and indeed in fulfilling its own affairs.

KI. How does Inity of Rastafari benefit ones in the Livity of Rastafari, both individually and on the global scene? Is Inity globally achievable and why is it necessary in your view (or opposite of this, if not necessary why?

GM. A house divided cannot stand. The current status of Rastafari shows this. There are many mansions holding differing views on the fundamental principles, which is the rallying point for unity in my opinion. The Ethiopian World Federation Inc. has been able to achieve some status at the UN, which gives it a stand to voice some opinions. Unity for ones as individuals can only be a good thing. It presents a better basis for teaching InI children about InI livity instead of creating confusion to some who eventually leave the livity. In terms of internally it will enable InI to have a united voice in world affairs, which impinges on InI lifestyle and ability to grow as a people. Fundamental rights, which InI are entitled to as any other group of people, can be better secured.

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KI. What has been the biggest trail or tribulation that the I have encountered since becoming Rastafari? InI realeyses that in this Iwa ‘locks’ and a green diet is accept albeit for different reason InI are walking this way, so is there a next rail that the I has had to endure because of your livity or your faith?

GM. To be truthful I have never encountered any major trails or tribulations because I am a Rastafari. In fact I was first employed in an international company in London with my locks having professed the faith to my employees. At another time I managed to get a group of Insurance Names at Lloyds of London (the company that used to insure the slave ships) to sing “The Lion of Judah shall break every chain”. They never invited me back but I made the point. The current situation for good or bad is due purely to my own efforts or failures in life. I believe if InI were to accept the teaching of his Majesty and conduct ones self accordingly InI would not experience many of the trails and tribulation that InI experience. The King commanded respect and as children of the King and followers of the Savior whom He said he follows, InI should only suffer for righteousness and that being the case InI should rejoice in it for greater is InI reward.

KI. InI know that it has been said that Babylon system is a vampire? Can you interpret this for InI?

GM. The system of Babylon is not limited to the West alone it is everywhere in the world. Where greed, corruption and injustice are to be found that is Babylon. It sucks the good will of the people turning them into agents of the system perpetuating its ills.

KI. What is the challenge today walking in Babylon, but not being of Babylon?

GM. The bible says the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof. One cannot escape the system in its various disguises but one can walk outside of it by submitting to the will of the Father. As Satan continually tempts InI it is the Spirit of the Father in InI that will cause InI to walk through Babylon but not partake of its evil. When the time comes for the Father to manifest himself in this world again no matter where his children are they will be saved. The key is to strive to walk in righteousness at all times.

KI. Is the I married? If married, does the I have children being raised in the Rastafari tradition?

GM. I was baptized and married according to the teaching of the Ethiopian Orthodox Faith. All I children were also baptized in the faith and brought up accepting Rastafari expressing their spirituality through the Faith of the Church. One of I children is a deacon of the Ethiopian Church. His Majesty too was baptized and married according to the Faith and is the Defender of the faith.

KI. How does the I view marriage in the sense of Rastafari tradition. InI know some bredrin and sistren in the livcit do not marry in the conventional sense or marriage, often times opting to live together rather than obtain a license. What is your view on this? If the I is of this view, how does the I justify this act wit the 10 commandment law thou shalt commit fornication?

GM. The Bible is very clear on this and InI cannot seek to justify doing otherwise. As mentioned above, the King was married according to the Orthodox Faith and He should be the example for InI to follow. Doing any thing outside of that is simple disobeying the commandments and ignoring the perfect example of the King. I believe most sistrens would be happy to be married according to the example laid clown by the King but too many bredrens find it convenient for them to continue to live a life of fornication. and doing so cannot and will not guarantee InI a place in His Kingdom that is to come.