Rastas ina Zion

One of the things that drew me to Ethiopia was the Rastafarian community. For Rastas, Ethiopia is Zion, the motherland. I heard that there’s no serious “Rasta activity” in Ethiopia, but I was curious enough to check it out.

 

 

 

Haile Sellasie I granted the Rastafaris land in Shashamene, about 300 kilometers south of the capital. But like us Jews, most Rastas stay in the diaspora: Jamaica, Britain and elsewhere. 

Lonely Planet scared me about the visit: it says that Shashmene is a hostile town, and that there’s nothing to see there. Most of the people that visited this town were passing by (it’s a main junction), and confirmed that the town isn’t pleasant.

Well, I can’t say anything about the city center, since the bus dropped me off straight at the “Jamaica” community, north of town. What I can say, is that visiting the community was very interesting, and not scary at all.

First I visited the Black Lion museum. An old man showed me around, stopping his guidance from time to time to praise Jah. It was both amusing and interesting.

 

 

 

Afterwards, I continued to the community nearby, seeking some food. I was welcomed by very nice people, that didn’t try to sell me drugs (contrary to LP again).

Sister Bev Reuben, originally from England, told me about their agricultural projects: growing organic vegetables, fruits and spices. They donate some of the products to a number of other projects going on in Shashamene.

While eating Caribean spicy beans with rice, she told me how she felt discriminated as a teenager in the 70s, in England. Becoming a Rasta was for her a way of gaining an identity. She feels at home in Ethiopia, although still being Faranji – foreigner. If anyone is interested in more information about the community and the projects, you’re welcome to contat her through this mail or by phone: 0251 912 06 64 72.

After another short walk around, I got back to Addis, happy that I got the chance to visit the community, and sad that most travelers skip it.

 

 

 

More pictures from Shashemene’s Rastafarian community.