Ras Rootka Zebulun, The Twelve Tribes Lion!

Kaya Isesajah: What does the I see as the major problems between the houses or mansions of Rastafari at the present time?

Ras Rootka Zebulun: Like I mentioned earlier one of the major problems is the lack of cooperation, and lesser correspondence among the Rastafari houses. I am glad to see that in these present times there is some communication being made, because no matter how many Rastafarian houses existing now, there is only One House of Rastafari. It is time for us Rastafarians to have solidarity under one umbrella of Rastafari. I feel that more toleration must be shown not ridiculing one another because of different thoughts.

Kaya Isesajah: Are there Orthodox Christian Rastafari from what you know?

Ras Rootka Zebulun: Well there is a certain Rastafarian group who calls themselves Orthodox Rastafari, and some Rastafarians have not only been baptized in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, but are members of the Church as well. So the term Orthodox Christian Rastafari I am quite aware of. There might be certain Rastafarians who call themselves Orthodox Christian Rastafari, as there are ones who say they are Christian Rastas or Rasta Christians. Some feel more closer to Christianity than Rastafari so that is why they prefer to be known as Christian Rastas. But to me I think it is better to just identify yourself as a Rastafarian period. Nevertheless, if you really check it out I n I Rastafarians are Orthodox Christians, or true Christians, like His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I was and still is. Orthodox means pure, true, or right if you look it up in any dictionary or thesaurus for its meaning.

So when I n I emphasize on Orthodox Christianity, I am speaking about that ancient form of Christianity which was not corrupted like modern day Christianity through Greco Roman pagan tradition endorsed in the Faith. This true Christianity carries the message of the Kingdom Gospel not an unscriptural doctrine teaching about dying and going to Heaven while forsaking your own Paradise on Earth, or about Jesus the Christ alone, but His very teachings. Remember the Scriptures say that the Meek, the Righteous, shall inherit the Earth, and the Messiah Himself preached about the Gospel of the Kingdom. Therefore Rastafarians are here to not only educate people's minds about who the ancient Hebrew Israelites were and still are, but to teach them that I n I are also the original Christians, the Messianists, who walked with and followed the Messiah, Yahshua of Nazareth in the Holy Land two thousand years ago. So I n I have to teach Christians about the real Christianity! No one should have a problem saying that Rastafarians are the true Christians, because we do possess the Christ-like spirit in us.

Kaya Isesajah: What houses are you familiar with? Can you name a few and give InI a brief difference in how they sight their doctrine as different from your views?

Ras Rootka Zebulun: I n I am more familiar with the Nyabinghi Order, The Ethiopian African Black International Congress, (the Bobo Shanti), The Ethiopian World Federation Inc., & The Twelve Tribes of Israel. There are also Rastafarian groups like the Jamaican Rastafarian Development Community, Orthodox Rastafari, Judah Coptic, Ba Bete Kristyan Haile Selassie(The Church of Haile Selassie) Rastafari Centralization Organization, Zion Light Ministry, Rastafari Solidarity Organization, Rastafari Universoul Order, Trinidad and Tobago Rastafari United, Shashemane Settlement Development Foundation Inc., Ethiopian Peace Foundation Inc., Empress Menen Foundation, Projects Humanity(Nurses of Israel inc) Irascom, Caribbean Rastafari Association, House of David, etc etc.

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Then there are certain groups who are in the process of being organized such as the Messianic Order, and Fufilled Rastafari including others I don't even know about as yet. First I would like to say that though they are differences in schooling and thoughts among the Rastafari houses, there is still oneness. The doctrine and philosophy which this house abides by might sound distinctive from another house, but if you really check it out we can agree on certain teachings in Rastafari no matter what. Most Rastas correspond on the Holy Bible, His Imperial Majesty, Marcus Garvey, Ethiopia, the Davidic Covenant, the Nation of Israel, and African repatriation/reparation so that creates unity still.

My views are my views and even if they are disagreeable to others, well that's natural as human beings but toleration must be given still.

Kaya Isesajah: Why did you choose the Twelve Tribes of Israel as your house in Rastafari?

Ras Rootka Zebulun: Well to tell you the truth Sister Kaya, I wasn't really into choosing a Rastafari group or house when I was much younger because I felt this would cause division like some Rastas believe. But as I got older and wiser I realize that there is a purpose why there are Rastafari houses or groups not to cause division but because of the differences in schooling and thoughts.

We as Rastafarians have basic principles which we all should accept. I always heard about the Twelve Tribes of Israel from since I was a child, but in those times I heard it was just a Rastafarian group consisting of only Black People, before learning that it is an international organization. So I was curious to know more about Twelve Tribes, & why are these Rastafarians calling themselves the Twelve Tribes of Israel? Well I first affiliated myself with the Nyabinghi, BoboShanti, and the E.W.F before coming across certain Twelve Tribes members at that time who was kind enough to tell me about the Organization itself, including the Irie FM radio interview with Prophet Gad, which certainly also gave me a better overstanding on what T.T.I is really about. I was on a Rasta journey until I finally ended up in the House that surely taught me the plain truth. I'm not saying that the other houses doesn't have truth in them, I'm just speaking on my behalf as a T.T.I member and what this Rastafarian group showed me. Basically it was Jah that lead me to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the spirit brought me there man.

I still have nothing but raspect for the Nyabinghi, Boboshanti, and the E.W.F no matter what, but T.T.I. is really on my Rastafarian level. I felt the heartical vibes in Twelve Tribes so I instantly joined up without being hesitant. The Twelve Tribes of Israel through Brother Gad taught me about the Nation of Israel consisting of all kinds of people, physically and spiritually. Now that of course was a teaching that I didn't agree with at first because I was only seeing Black People as the House of Israel like the Nyabinghi and Boboshanti teach. But by discerning my spirit I grasped this truth by reading the Bible itself. I learned about the Davidic Covenant being fully manifested through His Imperial Majesty and the Ethiopian Royal Family of David, the teachings of the Bible(for T.T.I members are Bible students), the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Orthodox Faith, the Divinity of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I as King of Israel, Jerusalem being Africa, the New Jerusalem etc. Brother Gad basically redefined, edified, and clarified the Rastafarian doctrine and philosophy based on the teachings of the Holy Bible and Haile Selassie's speeches.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel has Jerusalem's school room and university, I learned so much truth within this organization and I do give thanks for that. Give thanks to Jah for inspiring Brother Gad to organize this universal Rastafarian group! T.T.I Live Up!