NYABINGHI PRIEST RAS IAN BRATHWAITE is aware that some people perceive Nyabinghis as dangerous people, who live in the bush, do not wear clothes, smoke weed and make plenty children.
But according to him, “these myths are folly, people don’t know about our lifestyle that’s why they talk so much foolishness”.
The Nyabinghi movement, which was introduced here in 1975, “is the foundation of the Rasta movement in Barbados, which keeps up the spiritual aspect of the Rasta movement”.
WEEKEND NATION team went to “the Nyabinghis’ corner” in St John, where they received a revelation, on the culture and practices of Rastafarianism.
Among swaying trees and chirping birds, the story was told by farmer and vegetarian caterer, Ras Ian, who is the forefather of the movement in that area.
Ras Ian, who has been involved in the movement from its inception, first explained why he “shouted the life”, a shout which he admitted was not readily accepted by some members of his family.
“There was not a place in society for me even with the knowledge I had in the system. In that time, although you were educated, the system didn’t want anything to do with a dreadlocked person. When I shout this life, I did not have a place in society, so I had to look for a place for myself.
“But today I am living a satisfied life; I have over 500 coconut trees. I am still a vegetarian caterer for four days a week. So I could actually resign now. The only difference between I and you is the lifestyle I live. I don’t party. I try to live a wholesome life and live upright.”
The 50-year-old said he was disappointed in the treatment “my people have received from society”.
“I remember when people were very hostile to Rastas in Barbados. In 1979, a senator said to eradicate Rastas from society, but look at the movement now. People say Rastas are killers and they are dangerous but bald head people kill and rape people everyday. But people have to stop
focusing on the negatives of Rastas and focus on the positives.
“People use to say Rastas don’t want any work. It is not that we don’t want any work but when you are looking for yourself you have to take time to look into yourself. The pressure that the system put on Rasta in the 70s is what made most Rastaman self-employed.”
The priest said preserving the island’s culture and heritage were at the top of the list.
Preserve lifestyle
“Rastas in Barbados preserve the lifestyle of the elderly people. Years ago, it was all about agriculture. People use to eat off of the land, a lot of fruits, vegetables and ground provisions. Rasta are the people who developed serious self-employment in this system. But right now, due to the economic downturn, [it is] the Government who have to ask people to become self-employed.
“Although we were a poor nation, the people use to raise 12 healthy children and a lot of people use to make it to a 100 years.
“To me, Barbados ran into trouble when Barbados turned independent in the 1960s. Before the 1960s, people were working for cents and they use to save dollars, now they can’t save a cent.
“Look, we in a recession now and we don’t know when we are going to come out. Barbados feed itself in the 1940s. Seventy years after the people hungry, we have to get food from Guyana, St Lucia, South America, St Vincent and America.”
Ras Ian, a husband and father of four, highlighted that while some people took offence with Nyabinghis’ reproduction practices, “there is nothing wrong with how much children a person have, children is children”.
“I have four children, one went to Lodge school, one went to Combermere, and another one went to St Leonard’s and now the last one going to Society [Primary School]. You see, I? I know what education is.
“As you can see, I live right beside of Codrington College. I grow up climbing up on the press in there reading books. I had always like reading. I always appreciate knowledge,” Ras Ian said.
Ras Ian said the movement’s aim was to lead Barbadians out of captivity into freedom of conscience and freedom of self. And these are the two important types of freedom “a man needs in order to do good for society”.
“Why do you think so much people dreading? Because there is more hope in the Rasta movement than even in the Government. When a man look at my lifestyle, he realise despite the pressure that I face from society, I am still surviving.