Just as we were about to push away from our Thanksgiving Dinner, we were joined by three more Rasta brothers; Calvert, Ernest and Samuel. Brother Ivy was not yet in the chapel, so we had time to learn some of the details of the
life in the Rasta community. Calvert had said, as we met, that he would be glad to answer any questions we might have about such; as would any of the brothers. In the next hour-or-so we learned that the Rastafarian faith originated in the early twentieth century when Markus Garvey, an African American shipping magnate, presumably at the behest of Haile Selassi (King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah; and also the head of the Coptic Church) "brought" that east-African, Christian religion to
the people of Jamaica. It was subsequently adopted by some JamaicanVoodoo
followers and Rastafari (the God-Consciousness awkened by inhaling the smoke of burning Ganga Kali (female cannabis flowers) came into being. I'm not sure which of the two faiths contributed cannabis as Sacrament; I'd guess the Jamaicans, since it grows so well there and it was legal at the time (even in the U.S.) On the other hand, the Coptic church is among the oldest Christian faiths. Early followers might well have recognized cannabis in the story of Moses receiving The Commandments thru the Burning Bush.
The Rastas had definitely made the connection, if a little twisted. Their term for general cannabis is ganga. What to me is apparently the female plant (budding, chrystal-encrusted flowers, skunky fragrance, sticcckkkeeeee!)they
call Kali, a word which suggests both monarchy and masculinity. The plant which I know as the male plant ( spindly, leafy, no budds, only pollen pods)
they call bush. And they are not referring to Moses's Burning Bush. They are talking about the bushy cushion found at the south point of the human female
abdomen. You might think that sort of derision suggests that these guys are militant patriarchs and I'd agree with you. I'm not sure of it's origins but women at the Rasta compound must really love the holy man, 'cause they sacrifice a lot by being there. They are not allowed in the kitchen and have no part in the preparation of any meals.They are not allowed to counsel or teach the children, especially the males,who are taught to regard females with suspicion and, from an early age, are kept seperated from them most of thetime. Well, it was a woman that gaveAdam such a bum steer, even though she'd been pushed into it by the serpent
in the garden. I think they had forgiven Eve (womankind) but still were not
sure she had the judgement to be trusted. I'm sure that most, if not all, of the women at the Rasta compound were loved by their respective spouses
and they certainly were well-cared for: All communications between men and women of the Rasta compound that I witnessed were friendly, respectful and
without any under-current of ill will or condesention. The women of the compound, as well as the men were all well-provided for; with food, shelter,
transportation and personal needs like clothing, medicines and recreation.
Women and their girl children did the laundry in the boulder-strewn river.They
and their children slept in the very small buildings we had seen on our way in
to the core buildings. Boys were invited to chapel when they became teens.
The Rasta compound is not to be confused with a monastery, where one might find scores, maybe hundreds of monks in residence. The Rasta compound on Blue Mountain is headquarters and home for Brother Ivy (who claimed to beThe Living Christ of the time) and his twelve Apostles and their families. There are a few dozen Rasta congregants who live near the compound. Since they are not priests, they are not expected to shun sleep. However, many of them do attend night services two or three nights a week. I did a head-count every night of our visit and never counted less than 34. Saturday, it was56.
When Samuel mentioned Bro. Ivy's position in the Holy Trinity I asked if he could share Bro. Ivy's history. He was happy to. It was apparent that he had been thru it before. he told it well and in considerable detail, having been there for most of it and for all of the important part. I'll just give you the high points: Ivy was born in the Kingston Slums and grew up poor, settling into a life of petty crime and addiction to hard drugs. Sometime in his mid-twenties, trying to get a leg-up onto a much better life style, he put together a deal
that was way out of his league. It went sour,he got caught in the crossfire
and, for nearly an hour was clinically dead. Regaining consciousness he immediately went into a routine consistent with a hellfire and brimstone ser-
mon. It continued when he emerged from the anesthesia after the surgery that made him whole again. By then he understood and he told his friends (Samuel among them) that he had died. He was resurected as christ and would take on the responsibilities of the position immediately. His epiphany, at some point became known to the Jamaican masses via television news and
before long, more than a few wealthy donors had purchased the property on
Blue Mountain, deeded it to the Rastafarian Brotherhood and pledged to support the development of the compound. I asked Samuel if he really thought
Bro. Ivy was Christ. He said he must be. He knows everything that Jesus
knows and he'll demonstrate that at this evening's service. Both Calvert and
Ernest agreed, saying Bro. Ivy almost always "demonstrates his divinity"
when outsiders are at evening services. Samuel said that there is no doubt in
Bro.Ivy's mind that he is Christ, as I think, you'll soon see for yourself.
end of Visit with the Rastas on Blue Mountain,Jamaica part 3
