Aug 09 2009
Religious Days
Every religion has Holy Days they recognize. These Holy Days are not just recognized by the different religions, but as a whole most non believers recognize them as well. Christians wish those of the Jewish faith a Happy Passover and Rosh Hashanah, Many Jews wish Christians a Merry Christmas and a Happy Easter. Muslims celebrate the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, the month believed when the Quran “was sent down from Heaven”. The month is called The Fast of Ramadan, and this year it begins on 22 Aug.
There is another group of Holy Days that aren’t as widely known about and the people who recognize these days aren’t allowed to celebrate them legally everywhere. Even here in the United States where we supposedly have the most accepting attitudes of different religious beliefs. So what are these Holy Days and what religion is it you ask. the next Holy Day, or Grounation Day, in this religion is Monday, the 17th of August.
There are two types of ceremonies in this religion. One ceremony is called Reasoning. Which during this we would gather together while we discuss ethical, religious, and social issues while smoking ganja. Grounation is the other type of ceremony. The days of Grounation are a large celebration that can last for days and are marked by singing, feasting, dancing, and smoking ganja. According to US law and legal opinion of Janet Reno, former US Attorney General, when she stated “Rastafari do not have the religious right to smoke ganjah in violation of US Drug Laws.” Ras Iyah Ben Makahna was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was charged with importing a controlled substance. The decision of the US 9th Circuit Court on this case was read in May 2002. The court decided that the practice of Rastafari sanctions the smoking of marijuana, but nowhere does the religion sanction importation of it. So how can Rasta’s practice their religion if its illegal to smoke the herb of the earth.
Some would argue that the Roman Catholic Church had the same problem during prohibition. But the religions that used alcohol in their sacraments were able to get a pass to get around the 18th Amendment which forbid the manufacture, sale, IMPORT or EXPORT of intoxicating liquor. The pass was called the Volstead Act which was also passed in 1919 exempted the medicinal and sacramental wine. Section 29 of Volstead authorized the home production of fermented fruit juices.
Many Rasta’s feel the drug laws in many nations is nothing more than the persecution of Rastafari and their beliefs. Many non-Rasta’s feel the use of cannabis is just an excuse for Rasta’s to get high. But the ones who claim this have no understanding of the Rasta belief or history.
Rasta’s believe that the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie I was the incarnation of Jah on Earth. His Imperial Majesty is a direct line back to King Solomon and The Queen of Sheba. But the purpose of this blog isn’t to try to legal ganja, its not to give you the background of the Lion of Judah, or to point out that certain government oppress peoples freedom to practice the faith of their choice. The purpose is just to say that the week after this there will be dancing, singing, feasting and partaking of the Herb of the Earth by a group over a million strong as we celebrate the birthday of a Prophet. The Prophet Marcus Garvey.
Some other important dates when Grounation takes place are :
17 Aug - Marcus Garvey’s birthday
11 Sep - Ethiopian New Year
2 Nov - The Coronation of Haile Selassie
7 Jan - Oriental Orthodox Christmas
6 Feb - Birthday of Robert “Bob’ Nesta Marley
11 May- The Passing Of Bob Marley
21 Apr - The anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie visit to Jamaica
23 Jul - The Birthday of the Emperor Haile Selassie
If you know someone who will be celebrating any of these important holy days, be sure to tell them “Jah Live!” “ One Love, One World!!”
Be blessed Sistern and Brethern, One Love, Jah Live!
Jah Rule! One Love, Bra!