Rastafarians, under the Nyahbinghi National Council of Malawi, today join their compatriots globally to celebrate the life of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, an influential figure and campaigner for pan-Africanism.
The council’s national publicity secretary Ras Jah Vision said the event coincides with Garvey’s birthday.
“We celebrate the life of Marcus Mosiah Garvey for his immense contributions to the liberation of the black people. Apart from inspiring many people across the world, he prophesied the coming of Emperor Haile Selassie whose contributions are enjoyed by the entire world, including Malawi,” he said.
Black History Studies (www.blackhistorystudies.com) indicates that Garvey was born in 1887 and died on June 10 1940 and was a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur and orator.
It further says because of his pan-African views, he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL).
Selassie visited Malawi on August 2 1965—a year after the country attained independence—and Ras Jah Vision said this was a fulfilment of Garvey’s prophecy of the black man’s freedom.
Event coordinator Ras Jere Faya said the celebrations will climax into prayers and a music concert in Zomba on Saturday.
“The prayers will be held at Emperor’s View and later there will be music performances at Gymkhana Club,” he said.
He said those to perform include Lambani Dube, Ndindi Marley, Merchizedec Sons and Daughters and Police Orchestra.
