130822: Here is an excerpt from the chapter Mansions Of Rastafari

Mansions of Rastafari is an umbrella term used to describe the various sects of the movement. These branches create a sense of order and organization within Rastafari. These mansions were not during the founding of the movement. Instead, they were created as the movement grew in numbers and evolved. Though they share a common nucleus, they have different ways of conducting themselves. This way of life is referred to as Livity. Hence the various mansions have different livities that differentiate one from the other.

The term ‘mansion’ is derived from the biblical verse in John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions." Though Rastafari has claimed the better part of its validity using Biblical context, these different branches shake up this notion. As described in the movement's history, it has evolved, picking inspirations from various cultures over the years. Creating the mansions is in tune with His Imperial Majesty’s words, “It has been generally attested that there is no more enduring meeting ground between nations and peoples than on the cultural and economic field. Proud of her cultural heritage, Ethiopia has made it her policy to distill from other cultures that which is beneficial and to blend it with her own to develop a way of life suited to the times yet anchored to the renowned history of the nation.”. From this and various reasons, the different mansions of the movement have emerged. Another used term for mansions is ‘house,’ derived from the same verse but different versions. I will explain why the mansions exist and function as they do.

GARVEYISM

The first traces of organizing within the movement can be traced back to its ‘prophet,’ Marcus Mosiah Garvey's UNIA founder. Garvey emphasized the need for a black man’s nation throughout his writings and speeches. The black man could build an independent sovereign nation and flourish as a race through this. In his newspaper, The Negro World, dated 22nd April 1922, Garvey gives his solution to the race problem in America by writing, “There is no threatening war of the races that is bound to engulf all mankind, which has been prophesied by the world’s greatest thinkers; there is no better method than by appointing every race to its own habitat.”

Garvey wrote extensively while serving a term in The Tombs Prison in New York City. In one of his writings as described in The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, or Africa for the Africans, Volume 2, he writes, “The Negro needs a nation and a country of his own, where he can best show evidence of his own ability in the art of human progress. Scattered as an unmixed and unrecognized part of alien nations and civilizations is but to demonstrate his imbecility, and points him out as an unworthy derelict, fit neither for the society of Greek, Jew nor Gentile.” He continues by adding, “Negro will have to build his own government, industry, art, science, literature, and culture before the world will stop to consider him.”

Following Garvey’s school of thought and what would later be described as Garveyism, Rastafari found the need to ‘organize and centralize.’ Hence would mean pulling resources together to achieve a common goal. This common goal is the repatriation of ‘exiled’ Africans and the growth of the black race. As sang on ‘Eternal Fire’ by Jamar ‘Chronixx’ McNaughton, track five on his ‘Dread and Terrible Project’:

Mi say dah movement yah live Marcus say fi organize and centralize Rasta fi own banks and enterprise So me Nah stop chant till me soul enter Zion

HAILE SELASSIE VISIT TO JAMAICA

Before His Imperial Majesty visited Jamaica on 21st April 1966, a series of events had happened. He was on a World Tour of various states, including the US and Trinidad and Tobago. This specific day, 21st April, would become one of the essential yearly celebrations for the Rastaman. It is referred to as Grounation Day. I will not describe the particulars of this day at length in this section. However, it will be detailed in a different section concerning celebrations within the movement.

In a Suriname TV interview, Twelve Tribes of Israel elder Mando Benji explains the significance of Grounation Day and how it influenced Rasta Prophets to emerge and form various branches of the movement. These individuals could be considered the founding fathers of the Rastafari Mansions. He says, and I paraphrase, ‘When His Majesty came to Jamaica, the Rastas asked him when the repatriations would commence as per Garvey and the Bible’s prophecy. His Majesty says the Rastas must first organize themselves in Jamaica; else, a problem will be carried from the West and taken to the East. From that speech is when prophets emerged.’ The prophets mentioned are the founding fathers we mentioned earlier.

Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie’s visit to Jamaica are the primary reasons there are mansions within the movement. From here, I will mention who these ‘Rasta Prophets’ are and which mansion they created.