Jahlisha Israel Reporting on Our Fathers Land!

From The Rastafari Expression,
A regular column by Kaya I IsesaJah, Nov 19, 2006         

A mixed race herbs dealer from London had been spreading rumors about me. He was accusing me of all manner of nasty things, whilst a white woman was saying i was some false Rasta!!! The Shashemane community is small and was into small time gossip, in each others business, so all of a sudden i was the talk of the town. It seemed they found great pleasure in belittling me. This small island, 'countryside' mentality is something the community is known internationally for now, in deriding each other and spreading lies. They seem to be known for begging money out of you, trying to make you feel that they are doing some great duty in staying on the land and defending it for you.

On the day of the celebration which was to start in the early hours before sunrise, a sizable congregation appeared at 10 am. An international body of people, it was poorly attended compared to other years. Next on the programme was the parade that was to go past the land grant into town and return. This again was poorly attended because of the division of the Nyhabinghi and the EWF.

The Rastafari Nazarite Research Centre was to do an annual lecture in the Bingi tabernacle. This year it was on Sacred Objects in Science and the Metaphysics of Rastafari but this clashed with the EWF afternoon programme, so the attendence to the lecture was small. It seemed to me that those man who call themselves Nazerenes would show support, which was non exsistant. With further investigation i went into the house on the Binghi grounds before the lecture and found them sitting in conference with a white man discussing how much they would charge him for taking some photo. This was a violation of the order seeing that money is not to be spent or passed hands on that sacred day.

To I the celebration showed a complete lack of planning from all the mansions, disunity, misleadership, envy, jealousy and hatred. What I found missing was the teachings of Yeshua the Christ, the Nazarene, who showed forgiveness, tolerance and the love for unity. Just putting locks on your head and saying Rastafari is not enough! Unity is Jah and if they cant achieve this process the development of Repatriation or migration in Shashemane will stop.. In all this negativity going on the Jah sent his angel in the guise of the president of St Vincent, who was prompted by the Binghi house in the Caribbean had come to Ethiopia to assist the situation, he spoke to the president of Ethiopia on the land issue and getting legal status for the ones living in the community, however the Binghi house in Shashamane were to follow this up, and since then nothing has been said or done by the bretheren or sistren. We cant expect Elders or an Ancient as he would rather be called to administrate the house,.... he may have the wisdom but the energy and education needed could be lacking. We need young blood bretheren fired up with enthuasaim and the zeal! If you are coming to Ethiopia for the milenium and are planning to visit Shashemane you need to safe guard your items, money should be kept in a hidden money pouch/wallet. Ethiopians will generally be curious about you, and groups of youths will surround you innocently, so always be aware,... getting off and on buses with your bags... people will offer to assist you and say its no problem but will ask for money for there help. Getting into or off mini bus taxis is when pick pockets usually strike. If you are walking around at night in Shashemane always walk in groups, and if you are staying at a hotel in town its best to prebook a taxi to drop you home after you have finished. During celebration times and national holidays petty crime seems to rise. If you get something stolen and it is valuble and you need it back it is advisable you give the police some small change to assist him in transport and food, and that will prompt a more detailed search, and there could be a slight possibility you might get some of your belongings back.

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Places to stay in Shashemane is the Spengman guest house 251 916821898 or 251916821828 Ras DC quest house 447958254007 Jamaica Inn hotel 251916829941 Lily of the Valley hotel 251461102732 Majestic hotel 251461102710 There are various eating outlets, but for a strictly ital dish find a brethrens house. There are factors to why things are so bad. You have a criminal element, the wolves in sheeps clothing. You have the uneducated and backward who are living in the past and cant move forward.

Whilst I was in Ethiopia I worked with Dr Desta's Childrens Village working with homeless youths and beggars. I taught in schools, and created my own Baskekall club for boys and girls. I generally tried to help people and for my efforts I was slandered and put down by so called Rasta!!!!

So the message I wish to share with you is that if you are doing His Majesty works and the works of Yeshua the Annointed, stand firm in your good works, and dont be deterred. The simple fact that I started to build a pyramid in Shashemane and have a statue of Haile Selassie, probably the only one in Ethiopia, was highly controversial with so called Rastas, because of there backwardness and miseducation and envy. But please don't forsake your dreams. Africa is your heritage and you can do it, so dont give up.

You could visit Shashemane and have the most spiritual and wonderful time of your life. 2006 was heavy and the signs were everywhere for me, but dont let these few words put you off. Shashemane needs you, and your positive input. I hope you have a happy millenium in Ethiopia in 2007. Jah bless. Ras Jahlisha Israel.