HIM Haile Selassie 1st

 Haile Selassie I (1892–1975) was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, revered as a "Christian King," defender of the faith, and a pivotal figure in African independence. As the 225th ruler of the Solomonic dynasty, he was deemed the "Elect of God" and a symbol of anti-imperialism. 

 Key Aspects of His Life and Legacy:

• Faith and Titles: Born Tafari Makonnen, he was crowned in 1930 as Haile Selassie I ("Power of the Trinity"), "King of Kings," and "Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah". He was a devout member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
• Symbol of Resistance: During the 1935 Italian invasion, he went into exile and famously addressed the League of Nations in 1936, gaining international fame as a symbol of anti-fascist resistance.
• Modernization and Diplomacy: He worked to modernize Ethiopia, advocating for education, road construction, and the abolition of slavery. He was a key founder of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.
• Rastafari Movement: Followers of the Rastafari movement in Jamaica consider him the Messiah (Jah), the returned Christ, and God incarnate, interpreting his titles and role in the Bible's Book of Revelation.

Principles of Nyabinghi

From Adowan Selassie - Ras Tafari World  Collective - 

Within the vibrant and multifaceted world of Rastafari, the Nyahbinghi Order stands as a powerful force for spiritual grounding, cultural preservation, and social change. Often considered the oldest and most traditional Mansion, the Nyahbinghi Order is far more than just a historical footnote. It's a living, breathing testament to the enduring power of faith, resilience, and resistance. Let's delve into the core tenets of this influential movement:

At the heart of Nyahbinghi belief lies the unwavering conviction that Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, is the promised Messiah, the living embodiment of Jah (God). He is seen as the divinely appointed leader destined to guide humanity towards a new era of righteousness.

Forget quiet contemplation. The Nyahbinghi Order believes in the power of collective energy, channeled through:

• Drumming: The heartbeat of creation, connecting participants to the divine rhythm of the universe.
• Chanting: Powerful invocations that bring Jah's presence into the here and now.
• Reasoning: Open discussions that foster spiritual growth and collective wisdom.

Nyahbinghi Grounations (also called Binghis) are more than just meetings – they are transformative spiritual experiences. These gatherings feature continuous drumming, chanting, and communal prayers focused on:

• Celebrating key dates in Rastafari history.
• Resisting oppression and injustice.
• Reaffirming the power of Jah.

Fire holds a sacred place in Nyahbinghi ritual. It symbolizes:

• Jah's righteous anger towards Babylon (the forces of oppression).
• The cleansing power that purifies individuals and communities.

Fires, once lit, must burn continuously throughout Grounations, signifying the ever-present potential for transformation.

Nyahbinghi emphasizes "Ital" living, a commitment to natural purity that extends beyond diet. This means abstaining from:

• Meat and processed foods
• Alcohol and drugs
• Substances harmful to the body or spirit

Inspired by its deep African roots and a history of anti-colonial struggle, the Nyahbinghi Order is a vocal advocate for social justice. Members actively resist oppression and work towards:

• Equal rights for all
• Repatriation to Africa
• The upliftment of the African diaspora

Nyahbinghi teachings emphasize traditional gender roles, with men as heads of households and women, known as Nyahbinghi Queens, as pillars of strength and righteousness. Both sons and daughters are raised according to Rastafari principles.

Nyahbinghi members live by a strict code of conduct, ensuring the sanctity of their gatherings and the integrity of their spiritual practice. Flesh, alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity are forbidden on sacred grounds.

The Nyahbinghi Order commemorates significant dates in Rastafari history with Grounations, keeping alive the memories of key figures and events.

Nyahbinghi emphasizes a deep and reverent connection to the natural world, recognizing water, air, earth, and fire as sacred elements essential to life.

The Nyahbinghi Order stands as a powerful reminder that Rastafari is more than just a religion. It's a way of life, a call to action, and a commitment to building a better world. Through its rich traditions and unwavering dedication to Jah, the Nyahbinghi Order continues to inspire generations of Rastafari to live righteously, resist oppression, and embrace the transformative power of love and unity.

Three kinds of drums (called Harps or collectively a Trinty) are used in Nyabinghi: A larger bass (also called popesmasher or thunder) drum, a middle pitched "fundeh" (or "fundeh"), and a high pitched repeatah or kete. The fundeh and repeater are of similar size, but the funde has a slack drum head ( male goat skin) while the repeater has a tighter head ( female goat skin), giving a higher note. The drums heads are generally made of goat skin.

The akete (also known as the "repeater") plays an improvised syncopation, the fundeh plays a regular one-two beat(heartbeat) and the bass drum strikes loudly on the first beat, and softly on the third beat (of four). When groups of players get together, only one akete player may play at any one time. The other drums keep regular rhythms while the akete players solo in the form of a conversation. Only Rastamen are allowed to play drums at Nyahbingi.

Harps are played at a groundation ceremony in rasta culture. Nyabinghi music is played in 4
4 time on three drums:

• Thunder: It is a double-headed bass drum, played with a mallet. The strokes are an open tone on 1 and a dampened stroke on 3. Occasionally, the thunder player will syncopate the rhythm. It is typically held in the lap and beaten with a padded stick (a tennis ball is often used).
• Funde: The funde is the middle drum. It maintains the rhythms, on 2 and 4. It is held on the floor between the knees and played with the palms.
• Repeater: The repeater or kete, is the smallest and highest pitched drum. It is somewhat of a single elongated bongo. The drummer tends to play around 2 and 4, with a syncopated, rather than a backbeat feel. These beats are important to the overall feel of the Nyahbingi rhythm, but the repeater has a very improvisational role in bingi because it is seen as the carrier of spirit. It is held on the floor between the knees and played with the fingertips.