Book: Let us Start with Africa: Foundations of Rastafari ScholarshipEditors: Jahlani Niaah and Erin MacLeodReviewer: Dr Glenville Ashby‘Let Us Start with Africa’ is an anthology of essays; a collection of progressive studies tracingThe book cover of Let Us Start With Africathe growth and contribution of Rastafarianism to Black Culture. It marks the inaugural Rastafari Studies Conference at the University of the West Indies,NFL Jerseys China, Mona in 2010. Therein are diverse ideas, arguments and pronouncements of a movement that many societies still deemed a fifth column.For the most part, this is a constructivist body of work that lends interpretation to an enigmatic, counter cultural philosophy that has slowly seeped into modern Black Thought. It is a revelatory and catalytic thesis on black theology, history,Cheap Jerseys, philosophy, and music.Repatriation, the cornerstone of the movement, Rex Nettleford argues,Wholesale Jerseys, is multilayered. Migration to the African continent is dynamic, happening in the subtlest realm of the mind. It stands alone,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, never predicated by physical departure from the Diaspora. In some ways,NFL Jerseys Outlet, Rastafarianism has always been a prophetic movement. That Africa today is calling the Diaspora the sixth region of the continent, and with open calls to repatriate by officials in Benin and Ghana, lends credence to the movement’s mystical character.‘Grounding’ with the Rastafarian can be enlightening but a frustrating experience. Competing branches comprise Pan Africanism of which Rastafarianism is but one. Ethiopia is Zion to its followers, their Mecca. Nowhere else in Africa. When the Church of Haile Selassie I openly challenges the authenticity of the other three Rastafarian sects and claims that they are progeny of the Zara Yacobrite people of Ethiopia – a fundamental truth of the black experience is challenged.And any discourse on the Diaspora cannot marginalize its strong Yoruba roots. Where does all this fit into the Rastafarian paradigm?But ‘Let us Start with Africa’ is all about Rastafarian epistemology and black ontology laid bare. All else must fit into its uncompromising, idyllic template. Impressive but arguably, it opens the door to sophistry and pedantry. And for all its gem-like worth, stubborn questions surround the birth of this movement. Regrettably, scholars are sometimes their own worst enemy, presenting their reality in a romantic veneer that subverts history and irrefutable truths. And na?vet? is a direct corollary of romanticism.There is no mention of the likes of Leonard Howell and Claudius Henry. Rastafarianism cannot be viewed through a cone-like lens. Adopting a linear, monolithic approach to such a complex study can be a disservice to students of the movement. Rastafarianism is as much haunted by its past as it is by its intra-faith rivalry. Who or what constitutes a Rasta is yet to be clearly and universally defined, although Nettleford comes close, with his suggestion of an inner landscape, an unfolding experience with no reference to physical appearance.For the most part, though, Rastafarianism is still stripped of its profound sociological and theological roots by white culture, and sometimes seen as a mesmerising curiosity; a one dimensional counter-cultural expression propelled by the driving sounds of reggae. To national leadership in the Caribbean, the Rastafarian movement remains ‘quietly’ confrontational,Soccer Jerseys China, posing an existential challenge to the status quo; a clear and present threat to nationalism and nation building. However, its immeasurable contribution to black consciousness and ‘liberation’ is undeniable. Regrettably, it will remain mired in its own uncompromising lore and stymied by entrenched competing black interests and by a Third World still spellbound by Western culture.Feedback: [email protected] or follow him on [email protected]Let us Start with Africa: Foundations of Rastafari ScholarshipEdited by Jahlani Niaah and Erin MacLeod, 2013Publisher: The University of The West Indies PressISBN: 978- 976-640-409-3Ratings: Recommended

Amidst challenges being faced by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) – which is seemingly on its knees – the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, has identified another area which has for the past 16 years, negatively impacted the Corporation.The Minister reported,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, during his Ministry’s End-of-year Review yesterday, that the adversarial industrial relations environment has resulted in the Corporation losing 1,179,366 man-days due to strikes between January 2000 and the end of September 2016.The Minister stated that the strikes would have ‘no doubt’ significantly impacted negatively on the health and performance of the industry and the morale of the management team.From 2005 to 2015, there were 2,019 strikes with an average of 150 per year.The Minister said that not much was done over the past few years, by way of securing the future of both the industry and the wellbeing of its employees.“Opportunities existed in the past to reorganize and modernize the industry but these were not pursued.? Reference is made here to better sugar prices,Cheap NFL Jerseys, funding from the EU (European Union); accompanying measures following the reform of the EU sugar price regime; access to appropriate levels of skills and experience, etc.”The Coalition Government, he pointed out, inherited a sugar corporation and industry that were “badly run down”.Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder (Centre head table) and Heads of the agencies that come under the Ministry of Agriculture, yesterday during the End-of-Year Review.“Indeed, the first approach by the then management of GuySuCo was for support from Government amounting to $16.9 billion, excluding capital investment,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, to finance the operations for 2015.? The magnitude of the request came as a great shock to the Government and it was only after the appointment of the new Board of Directors and Interim Management Team did this Government begun to appreciate the extent of the decline of our sugar industry.”While the onset of the El Nino weather phenomenon or drought would have had a very ‘favourable’ impact on harvesting during the second crop of 2015 as a result of excellent ripening and harvesting conditions, it took its toll on the production this year,Wholesale NHL Jerseys, Holder said.The Minister said that 2016 has been plagued by poor labour turnout, lack of spares, equipment shortages in particular cane punts,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, and factory breakdowns.He added that the shortage of skills and experience together with the serious underinvestment in the industry are taking their toll.While the 2016 second crop started late as a result of the wet conditions which succeeded the drought and canes yields are higher than forecasted, the Corporation would be unable to harvest all its canes before the end of the year.It is estimated that some 153,300 tonnes of cane would be carried over into 2017 which,Air Max 97 Silver Womens, he said, is equivalent to some 11,300 tonnes of sugar.“The El Nino or drought has resulted in a drop in world production of sugar over the previous season of over 13 million tonnes.??? Production declines were experienced by producers in Central America, the Caribbean, Cuba, China, India, Philippines, and Thailand to name a few. Guyana was not unique in this regard,” Minister Holder said.Meanwhile, as the regime continues to push for diversification, a group of Ministers is expected to meet with members of the Main Parliamentary Opposition – the Peoples’ Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C), later this week to discuss the way forward as it relates to the ailing sugar industry.Expected to be a part of these discussions are The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the National Association of Agricultural and the Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) as the sugar workers’ representatives.

(From the African Cultural & Development Association)For more than decade the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) has celebrated KWANZAA in Guyana with joyful exuberance. On December 26 every year (and yesterday was no different), ACDA holds a very elaborate “African Harvest” at its Thomas Lands headquarters that is attended by Guyanese from all parts of the country and by visiting Diasporians.Amply described by Guyana-born Robin Williams who lives in the USA, “Kwanzaa was born out of a struggle by African Americans to, among other things, develop and project an identity in contrast to the racist stereotypes manufactured by the majority population,Jerseys China, and perpetuate a set of positive values that best served the interest of the African American population and ultimately operate for the betterment of their nation as a whole”.Kwanzaa has seven principles and is celebrated on seven days from 26 December to 1 January. The seven principles are:Umoja(Unity) To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.Kujichagulia(Self-Determination) To define ourselves,Wholesale Jerseys China, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.Kuumba (Creativity) To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited itImani (Faith) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.At ACDA, the 26th December event held from 11 am until 4 pm, incorporates all the traditional USA celebrated elements but is also uniquely Guyanese.Kwanzaa Festival begins with a “welcome” from the Chairperson of the event,Wholesale MLB Jerseys 2018, usually Sister Clementine Marshall or Sister Penda Guyan,Cheap Jerseys Online, who speaks about the importance of the occasion as a time for family and national reflection. This is followed by “libations” by Brother Andrew Irving who calls on the Ancestors to be present and asks also for their blessings on the occasion. Seeds are then distributed to the audience to plant until next years’ harvest. Drumming is an integral part of this activity.This is followed by the main event which is the lighting of three green, three red and a single black candle, each signifying one of the seven days and principles of Kwanzaa. As Brother Erving lights each candle on the Kinara, and describes the meaning of the KWANZAA principle it represents, 7 individuals: oldest, youngest, male,Cheap NFL Jerseys, female, visitors…..are asked to light a corresponding candle at the table they are sitting at. This is done with the help of the other members at the table.Eric Phillips then does a KWANZAA message and speaks about sharing, community development, self-determination , self-esteem, self-respect and collective values for sustainable upliftment.This is followed by Aisha Jean-Baptiste who speaks about the symbols and symbolism of KWANZAA. Here the audience is introduced to KWANZAA terms, its history and to its importance to Africans in Guyana and elsewhere. Those who are uninitiated with KWANZAA are given a real “knowledge” treat.The floor is then open for KWANZAA messages from African groups who have sent representatives and for visitors or anyone so inclinedDrumming follows this section and then there is time for a meal.All attendees including visitors and guests are treated to a wide variety of African vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and beverages,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, accompanied by African music and drumming.After the “harvest” meal, ACDA adds its own unique activity to the annual KWANZAA event.For the last 18 years, ACDA has been proving scholarships and book prizes to the highest scoring African student at the most recently held CXC exams. This is an elaborate affair which is chaired by ACDA’s Education and Management Committee (EMA) which has Board responsibility for ACDA’s Centre of Learning and Afro Centric Orientation (COLLACO)? school which has children aged 2 years 6 months to 7 years and which will evolve to a school that will have its students take grade 6 exams. The winners have their accomplishment