Rastas to celebrate Haile Selassie's birthday Sunday: 'Come and see the light'

THE Rastafarian community in TT is inviting the general public to "come and see the light" on Sunday as they celebrate the earthstrong (birthday) of late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I.

Selassie – a pillar of the Rastafari movement – was born on July 23, 1892. He was said to be a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, assuming the title of King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

TT's Rastafarian community will meet at the Bobo Shanti headquarters at Wharf Trace, Maracas, St Joseph at 3 pm and – according to a flyer – wants everyone to "come and make a joyful sound of holy Psalms and chants."

Men are being asked to wear their shirts in their pants and women are urged to wrap their heads with cloth and wear long flowing skirts.

Bobo Shanti priest Nyah told Newsday there will also be a service on Saturday morning from 6 am-12 pm that the public can also attend, and urged people to wear all white.

As for Sunday, he said, it is preferred that attendees wear "mixed colours," such as the main colours of the Ethiopian flag – red gold and green.

He said there will be singing, chanting, drumming, reasoning and refreshments and they celebrate "Selassie who is our God and king.

"The Lion of Judah shall break every chain and give us victory again," he said.

"We are calling everyone to come and see the light. All are welcome."