Black history … shared history

Rastafarian Yasus Afari, musician, poet and author of ‘Overstanding Rastafari: Jamaica’s Gift to the World’, has returned to the UK to support the Black History Season (October/ November) which involves activities in prisons, schools and community organisations across the UK; part of an international tour he is embarking on as an ‘ambassador for Rastafari’, which culminates in Australia in December where he will be making a presentation to the prestigious World Parliament of Religions on the theme of ‘Rastafari – The Livity of Spirituality’.

Can you tell our readers what Rastafari is and how it came about?

“Rastafari is an inborn concept that was born and developed out of the unique Afro-Caribbean experience in response to the historical tragedies unleashed by European countries in the rape of Mama Africa. These resulted in the trade in human beings, on an unimaginatively great scale, and the forced enslavement of these African men, women and children on the brutal European plantations in the Caribbean, as well as in North and South America and other parts of the Black Diaspora. The facts and figures about the scale of this trade, and the inhumanity of the practices carried out, beggar belief, but these are factually recorded and available for us all to study.

However, we must learn from these studies, although we must also study other aspects of Black History, to celebrate the brilliance of the African civilisations and the leading role of Africa in the development of agriculture, medicine, architecture, mathematics, art, science and the earliest technologies. Africa was so far ahead of Greece and other countries at that time.”

As an ambassador for Rastafari how do you see your role?

“’I&I’ see the role of an ambassador for Rastafari as promoting peace, love and harmony for all humanity. This an important role with potential for teaching and upliftment through my Poetry and Music as well as sharing the information encapsulated in my book. To share these fascinating insights relating the sights and sounds of the mental landscape that constitutes Rastafarian Livity is an honour and also a tremendous responsibility”.

You refer to yourself as ‘I&I’, what’s that about?

“’I&I’represents myself and those whose views I reflect and represent. When Rastafarians refer to ourselves in this way, it also connects us with the perceptual link to our Source and our Faith in JAH RASTAFARI”.

Why did you decide to write a book about Rastafari?

“The book was originally written in response to the needs and interest of teachers and students in Jamaica. I had worked through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture to create a team of Culture Agents, involving leading reggae artistes and poets in sharing our unique culture and heritage in schools. The approach I used then, I still use today. I call it ‘edutainment’, which means entertainment and education.

”Also Rastafari is not always that well understood, or as ‘I&I’ would say ‘overstood’. Many people come to Rastafari through the messages in the music, but outside of Jamaica they may not have access to the elders of the Faith to reason and learn. I am bringing the opportunity to reason and learn with me as I travel and visit communities, schools, prisons and other places, where I am invited to do workshops, lectures and reasoning sessions”.

How do you teach?

“In I edutain (bringing education and entertainment together) I reason and perform my poetry. My latest CD ‘Kiss Mi Neck’ is entirely spoken word, yet people say it is so very lively and engaging.

‘Edutainment’ is an approach that opens up minds to make learning easier in a reflective way, so the individuals that take part share the insights; then they can reflect in their own time as well and can reason about their learning. So ‘I&I’ use poetry, which I perform in Patwa and English, and also share some of my Reggae tracks which I have on CDs, with the likes of Black Uhuru and my brother, the great Garnet Silk. Then as ‘I n I’ say, ‘if you no write, then you must be wrong’, so people can read my books and listen to my CDs to learn more. My Poetry Anthology is called ‘Eye Pen’ and includes many of my best loved poems.”

What else can we expect on this tour?

“Well, ‘I&I’ recognise that the elders (as well as youths) need honour and respect (or raspect) for the dignified way they coped with the racism they experienced when responding to the invitation to come to the UK to help rebuild this nation in the post-war years. Many can’t travel back to Jamaica as often as they like, so I share the experience of going into the ‘Jamaica Memory Lane’ with them. We have fun and reminisce. It also gives a chance to showcase our wonderful Jamaican Language, or Patwah as it is affectionately called. We highlight our rich and imaginative proverbs, those little capsules of wisdom that are passed on from generation to generation. It’s a great show for all ages and gives others a chance as well to learn more about our wonderful nation and beautiful island home. ‘I&I’ have travelled in 39 countries now (and counting) yet nowhere compares with Jamaica. It is a very special place and people”.

Thank you Yasus, and good luck with the tour.

“Give thanks …love and honour”.

* Yasus Afari’s books and CDs are available in the UK through his website www.yasusafari.biz