Thursday 31 January 2013

Sometimes You Just Have to Represent!

Greetings sistren



Today I just want to share a pic in my Ites Gold Green. It's not often I dress in my full RasTafari Ethiopian Afrikan Garb, cuz I'm an earthtones kinda gal - love my green and brown, those kinds of colours. But sometimes we as sistren just have to royal it up and dread it up in babylon. some older more "religious" people dont like to see us in our full Ethiopian wear, it's foreign to them and just ridiculous cuz it's not western. but to others it's rather intriguing because they admire our rebel spirit to be different and to reclaim something that has been oppressed for too long.
point in case - represent JAH and the Motherland with pride and with knowledge.
I was inspired by the book im currently reading From Babylon to Timbuktu by Rudolph Windsor. it's a book that i bought to see if it had any more information i could add to my own works on the Ethiopian Origin of the Hebrews. It really made me feel good to read it because he has the same info and conclusions that I have tried to point out using Scripture and a few other historical sources such as Josephus. I definitely recommend gettin it if you can.
Ethiopia, Arabia, Israel - all black races of Asia and Afrika, and at one time the Israelite way of life or religion was once spread across all these kingdoms by kings and of the course Queen of Sheba before Christianity and Islam came in centuries later. Indeed the "Jews" ruled Ethiopia on both the left and right side of the Red Sea - Asia and Afrika was once all Ethiopia - two Ethiopias divided by water, and also Israelite by religion - as I said Abraham's Covenant extends from the Nile to the Euphrates - it's truer than the White world would have us believe.

Much love and power to the Sistren
Ila

Saturday 26 January 2013

How to Sew or Refashion a RasTa Panel Jean Skirt

Blessed Love Sistren,

Ises for life, health and strength and another Sabbath.

I saw a sis was searching for this kind of tutorial, and I had this one here for the longest time, but never posted it. 
materials

red, yellow, green cotton fabric, 1 yard each to be safe.
lining fabric, 1 yard
thread to match your jeans, and another thread if you want, to sew up the banner
scissors,
chalk
yard rule
sewing machine
heavy duty sewing machine needle
pins
newspaper or any other large paper roll
tape
marker

With this tutorial, you are basically making a Banner first, and then cuttin it into a triangle to insert into the jeans skirt. I am not really providing measurements because every jeanskirt will be different in length and size.
Note that with this tutorial I made the mistake of not making the red panel longer in length, so it came out a very small triangle at the top. So it's important that the panel at the top be at least 2" longer than the other two panels I think. the top panel can be either red or green it's up to you.

1. First open up your jeans pant with scissors. use the rule and chalk to mark out a triangle and cut off that excess fabric both front to back.




It's good to cut away some of the bulky part of the jeans in the crotch area because you could break the needle, and the onle crotch seans aren't needed.




Zig zag these edges so the fabric won't fray. I do this because you don't want to have holes in the skirt after you wash and wash.



2. Place about two sheets of newspaper together long sides together and tape them together.

Place that under the front of the skirt or in between the skirt layers. Use a marker and your rule to trace out that triangle.




Cut out the triangle.This is your template for the fabric.


3. On the jeans like in the picture, mark out the three panels, making sure you don't make the bottom panel too long as I did my green.


measure each length from your markings for the three panels. add 2.5" to the length of the top panel, 1" to the length of the middle panel and 1.5" to the length of the bottom panel.

the width you will cut each panel at is the width of the bottom of the triangle plus some extra inches
- make sure you have at least 4 inches extra to be safe because you need seam allowance.

4. cut out your panels two in each colour for front and back of the skirt. I cut them all at the same width making a banner, which i then cut into a triangle.



To make the banner join the panels together in this order:
     
 Yellow panel over red panel and pin On the other side of the yellow, pin it over the Green panel, making sure that your seam will be the same.


       
 Sew the 3 pieces together at these two points, using a ½ seam for both lines. Zigzag ends together. Repeat for other panel.


5. Make the hem of the bottom panel using two 1/2" folds, press and sew in place.
               
6. Place newspaper over the two banners and cut out the triangles.you should definitely not cut it out at the exact size of the triangle, but put a 2"seam allowance all around first.



Also cut out the lining pieces too the same size as the panels.
Join the lining and RGG panel by zigzagging the edges altogether.








7. Line up the ready panels inside of the skirt doing one side at a time.pin in place.
Draw two lines on the front of the skirt where you will sew, if you want to.




Sew in the first panel. I usually pin up the bottom of the panel at the jeans so it wont stick out.

Do the same thing for the back, finished!



     I hope it works for you!

Ila

Monday 21 January 2013

A Chronology of the Covenant of Israel from Bible to Rastafari

Greetings,

In learning about Ethiopian history, one may ask, how can we trace Rastafari from Israel in the Bible to Ethiopia and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Sellassie I? Because we Rastafari are bound to HIM, we are naturally bound to Scripture and the Israelite nation through Joseph and Judah. What I offer here is most of what I wrote in some parts, just trying to give an overview. I really wanted to make a video but I dont have the physical strength to achieve such a task - it's a lot of Scripture and reading. So I am posting it here in hopes of giving the I some food for thought - definitely all can do their own research. I did most of my research from Scripture but I also used other sources to fill in some blanks like the Apocrypha and ancient historical and spiritual texts.

Before Abraham, Adam was the one who first received the covenant of righteousness from the Living God. His son Seth later received this blessing, and it was passed on through his sons through Enoch, Methusaleh and Noah. After Noah, the blessing of righteousness was passed onto Shem.

1. Abraham is given a Covenant: Land from the Great river of Egypt or the Nile to the Euphrates – Afrika , Middle East, Asia. A kingdom that would be very large, and would face affliction but come out great. Genesis 15:18

2. This Covenant is passed onto Isaac and then to Jacob – Isra’el. Isra’el was told that he would be fruitful and multiply and have a “nation” and a “company of nations” proceed from his loins. Kings shall rule the land from his loins. Genesis 35:10-12
Reuben as the firstborn son is given the covenant but is disinherited because he uncovered Bilhah’s nakedness – his father’s concubine. Genesis 35:22
Judah and Levi instead are given the leadership roles as king and high priest respectively. Genesis 49:8

First Chronicles, the Book of Jasher and Kebra Nagast (Budge, 2002) interpret that Judah received the birthright and the sceptre, the entire inheritance from Reuben: “although [Reuben] was the firstborn son [of JACOB] the kingdom was rent from him. And his younger brother reigned, and he was called JUDAH because of this. And his seed was blessed, and his kingdom flourished, and his sons were blessed” (Budge, 2002, p. 12). 

And Jacob said unto Judah, I know my son that thou art a mighty man for thy brethren; reign over them, and thy sons shall reign over their sons forever. Only teach thy sons the bow and all the weapons of war, in order that they may fight the battles of their brother who will rule over his enemies (Jasher 56: 8-9).
And it was after the death of Rachel, that Jacob pitched his tent in the tent of her handmaid Bilhah. And Reuben was jealous for his mother Leah on account of this, and he was filled with anger, and he rose up in his anger and went and entered the tent of Bilhah and he thence removed his father's bed. At that time the portion of birthright, together with the kingly and priestly offices, was removed from the sons of Reuben, for he had profaned his father's bed, and the birthright was given unto Joseph, the kingly office to Judah, and the priesthood unto Levi, because Reuben had defiled his father's bed (Jasher 36: 13-15).

3. Joseph is cast out of the tribes by his brothers because of his special bond with their father, and also because of his special prophetical gift which showed him that he would be mightier than they. When finally reunited with his father, Joseph is given a blessing of inheritance through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh: Genesis 48:3-5, 13-20, 37:5-11.

Later his sons inherited land in Isra’el in place of Joseph himself, and Levi as the Levites were given places to dwell in each territory given that they were the priesthood.
Scripture shows that the inheritance and birthright of Isra’el is not by geneaology or by 1st, 2nd or 3rd born.

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright; yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph’s. (1 Chronicles 5:1-2)

Judah received the City of Shem the first High Priest Melchizedek after the flood through Noah: Jerusalem, which is the seat of the entire Covenant (Psalm 78:68). This City was founded by JAH HIMself (Hebrews 11:10; Isaiah 14:32; Psalm 48:8.) David’s seed were the Lords of this throne and any other throne and temple that was set up by Judah such as Samaria’s Shiloh and Ethiopia’s Axum. They also were the Keepers of Zion alongside the High Priest of Levi given that Levi's High priesthood dwelled with Judah in Jerusalem. The Tribes of Joseph, and the Levites dwelled in Judah with the kingship, 1 Chronicles 9:3.

4. Later on when the Tribes had settled in the Promised Land, they defiled their special covenant of righteousness and fell into idolatry.  The Kingdom of 12 or 13 tribes, was split into two kingdoms at the hand of Solomon’s son Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:15-24). Judah remained as it was, but the other tribes moved away from Jerusalem and formed Samaria and Shiloh as their holy place for kingship and priesthood.  Even Levi left Judah, but came back later because of the idolatry. From then came the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judah. Jeroboam – an Ephrathite a mixture of Ephraim, Judah and Benjamin - became king of Israel. He formed golden calf worship – Egyptian idolatry. The Greater Kingdom, the Northern Kingdom became Ephraim or Joseph, and Judah remained Judah. So we have the division of Israel into Judah and Joseph. 

Benjamin and Judah - and then later Levi, making it three tribes - remained at Jerusalem to keep the Order of Levi (Moses/Aaron) and Kingship of David’s Covenant alive (see Deuteronomy 33:12 and 2 Chronicles 11:14). Judah maintained its sceptre right while the other tribes departed their inheritance to dwell separately by the birthright. These tribes were Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulon, Issachar, Ephraim and Manasseh. In summary, Judah/Jerusalem had 3-in-1 tribes and greater Israel/Ephraim had 10. This makes 13 tribes, but there are reckoned as only twelve tribal land marks because Ephraim and Manasseh replace Joseph, and Levi which had no inheritance save cities.

5. Because of Jeroboam’s idolatrous acts in seducing the tribes to worship calves now they were broken away from Judah, he caused them to be condemned as the trend continued on with each King (1 Kings 12:26-33, 13:32-34, 14:7-16). Elijah arose as prophet during the reign of Jezebel’s family to set them on the right track but they did not listen. The Assyrians ruled by Shalmaneser took these tribes of Samaria ruled by King Hoshea, out of Israel. They were taken into Persia and greater Mesopotamia, to the cities of the Medes and also to Halah and Habor by the river of Gozan. Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh were tribes carried there according to 1 Chronicles 5:26. Some sources say that as a result, this land was where the Khazar Jewish nation was built in the 6th century B.C.. The Khazars are the modern day white Jews, the Ashkenazim who were given the “State of Israel” in Palestine by Britain in 1948.

6. However, Judah was soon to follow in heresy as the Davidic king and children of Jerusalem began to practice Baalism. Baalism is the host and goddess worship of Kham, namely the sun and the “Cult of Isis” by the name of Ashtoreth in Hebrew. It all started a mere 3 years after Rehoboam was crowned, as he like his father, entertained the abominations that were rebuked by the law (1 Kings 14:22-24). In fact, to refer back to the love of Isra’el and Ethiopia both by Jahovah, Judah was given a second chance after the Ethiopians were sent to raid their treasures (2 Chronicles 12: 1-3,9). All of the treasures of Judah which Solomon had purchased were taken by the children of Kham: Ethiopians or Kushites, the Sukkim (Sukkoth) and Lubim. Rehoboam therefore lost his blessings as predetermined for him though Solomon’s wrong doing.

7. Solomon and Sheba’s son was given the blessing of Judah’s Kingship, which he took back to Ethiopia and Arabia, to rule as a joint kingdom of Jerusalem. It is highly plausible that Psalm 45:9-11 and 16 speak of this marriage, and the succession of their sons rather than their father’s sons, a new lineage would rule. 

Kings' daughters were among thy honorable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him...Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
                               
[And Solomon said to his councillors, officers and elders of his kingdom]…Come let us make him king of the country of Ethiopia, together with your children; ye sit on his right hand and on his left hand…Come, O ye councillors and officers, let us give (him) your first born children, and we shall have two kingdoms..[W]e will send unto them priests, and we will ordain laws for them, and they shall worship and serve the God of Israel (Budge, 2002, p. 52).

So in Ethiopia or Egypt or Afrika or Kush, the Kingship of Jerusalem was preserved BEFORE the tribes of Israel were taken into captivity, as know that Menelik I took 12 princes from each tribe with him.  It is safe to say that Kush or Ethiopia became the new Zion, being the new resting place of the Ark.

8. In the days of Hezekiah, Judah was threatened by Assyria but saved. The prophet Isaiah said that because of their transgression against Zion, Judah would be taken away by Babylon. Hezekiah declared that he could do nothing about the future, and was concerned only with security while he was alive. Soon after Hezekiah, the Judahites went back again into cycles of idolatry, with Josiah being the one who found the Book of the God of David his “father.” He renewed the Covenant by breaking down all idols and repairing the temple (2 Kings 21-22). The tribes mentioned as part of Israel at this time were Ephraim, Manasseh, Naphtali, Simeon, Judah, Benjamin and Levi. 2 Chronicles 35 calls them Judah and Israel showing the division was still there. It wasn’t until after Josiah’s death years later that Judah was made to suffer the consequences of breaking the Law. 

9. After Josiah’s son Shallum/Jehoahaz was crowned he was uprooted by the king of Egypt, who placed his younger brother Eliakim/Jehoiakim on the throne. Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt and died (2 Kings 23). During the reign of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar besieged the Holy City and looted Jerusalem’s holy treasures, placing them in Babylon’s temple (2 Kings 24:10-19, 2 Kings 23:7).  The king of Egypt no longer bothered Judah anymore at this point because Babylon now owned all land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. After this happened, his son became king of Judah at a young age of 8. Nebuchadnezzar’s servants came and took him also away to Babylon which made Mattaniah /Zedekiah the son of Josiah the next Judahite king. But Zedekiah refused to do Zion’s or the prophet Jeremiah’s bidding.     

Zedekiah’s sons who were the only remaining candidates for kings, were slain by the Chaldees. Jerusalem was utterly destroyed by the Babylonians on these various occasions, resulting in a massive genocide (2 Kings 24; 2 Chronicles 36:13-23; Jeremiah 35:11-13, 52:27). The remaining children of Judah who were probably of many different tribes, fled to Egypt-Ethiopia when Gedaliah their protector and the governor of Judah under Babylon was killed also by the Chaldees (2 Kings 24: 22-26). They inhabited Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis and further south (Jeremiah 44:1).

And so I and I sight the two bands of Israel, the Israelite/Ephraim/Samaria/multitude of nations and the Jews/Judah/Jerusalem/Kingship and Priesthood (Please see Isaiah 7:9 and Amos 6:1). These two families of Jacob: the larger Ephraim-Joseph which was sent towards the Euphrates and the isles of the seas all over the world; and the smaller Judah which was sent towards the Nile and into the Afrikan territories of Ethiopia and Egypt. It is also important to recall that Judah’s territory through Jacob’s previous ownership did include some parts of Afrika – Goshen, Sukkoth and Beersheba.
As a result, Israel as shown by the ensample of Solomon, lost all of its spiritual will because it so easily embraced Kham’s idolatry. Therefore its borders weakened and allowed Babylon to destroy Zion after the death of Josiah. The good role of Solomon in the splitting is that he caused Zion to be moved into the Shemite-Khamite land of Kush in Ethiopia. This happened just before Rehoboam became King of Jerusalem.  And because Judah fled to these same areas when Jerusalem was attacked, we can see the Ethiopian preservation of the Hebrew JAH, the holy vessels and the royal nation and bloodline itself in this land.

And after he slept there appeared unto King SOLOMON [in a dream] a brilliant sun, and it came down from heaven and shed exceedingly great splendour over ISRAEL. And when it had tarried there for a time it suddenly withdrew itself, and it flew away to the country of ETHIOPIA, and it shone there with exceedingly great brightness for ever, for it willed to dwell there. And [the King said], "I waited [to see] if it would come back to ISRAEL, but it did not return. And again while I waited a light rose up in the heavens, and a Sun came down from them in the country of JUDAH, and it sent forth light which was very much stronger than before." And ISRAEL, because of the flame of that Sun entreated that Sun evilly and would not walk in the light thereof. And that Sun paid no heed to ISRAEL, and the ISRAELITES hated Him, and it became impossible that peace should exist between them and the Sun. And they lifted up their hands against Him with staves and knives, and they wished to extinguish that Sun. And they cast darkness upon the whole world with earthquake and thick darkness, and they imagined that that Sun would never more rise upon them. And they destroyed His light and cast themselves upon Him and they set a guard over His tomb wherein they had cast Him. And He came forth where they did not look for Him, and illumined the whole world, more especially the First Sea and the Last Sea, ETHIOPIA and RÔM. And He paid no heed whatsoever to ISRAEL, and He ascended His former throne (Budge, 2002, p. 36).

For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah.
      I, even I, will tear them and go away;
      I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.
        I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offence.
      Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
(Hosea 5:14-15).

The prophetical restoration of Ephraim-Israel more or less ends off the Old Testament (OT), as part of Judah returned to their land in 3 exodus movements. The coming of the Messiah in the New Testament therefore must hold the answer in figuring out the Covenant's restoration process of both Judah and Ephraim, what Judah is to Ephraim, and just how at last Israel is Ethiopia-Afrika and Rastafari in this time. The restoration of Ephraim as it relates to Judah also, is detailed fully in the following Scriptures and should be read before continuing: Hosea 3:4-5; Micah 5:7; Amos 9:9:1-15; Zechariah 10:6-12; Jeremiah 31:20-21; Malachi 5:1-7; Ezekiel 21:25-27; and Ezekiel 37:16-28 which says the same thing as Revelation 21.

Biblical readers are therefore ideally left with one question: did Ephraim ever return home? Did they organize themselves into Hebrew groups and “exodus” out of captivity under one leader? There can be more than one answer to this question, based on one’s outlook on the Ible and the interpreted/historical evidence of Israel, considering: the important verses and revelations of key prophets, the works of Yesus Kristos by establishing the Nazirene Church; the role of Japheth in the enslavement of Ethiopian Hebrews and Afrikans the true Israelite Keepers of the Ark, and the subsequent pan-Afrikan repatriation movement (Rastafari namely, and the Messiah-ship and God-Head of JAH Rastafari the Kushite Lion of Judah and Axumite Zion). Could it be that what happened to the Ethiopian City of Judah was the key witness of the restoration of Judah's sceptre and Joseph's birthright?

10.  The New Testament continues speaking about the pending restoration of Judah and Isra’el. It says that the Son of David would rise to find and restore the lost sheep of Israel. One Head would rule the land as prophesied in Hosea 1:11. Judah as chief ruler, would beseech Joseph.

Yesus Kristos who was of Levi and Judah  arose for such a task – but His preparation of Israel was not quite a physical one, as He didn’t have the power of Kingship in the land which was ruled by Rome. He could not bring the tribes back into the land and rule over them. His purpose was the spiritual restoration of Israel, and all those who believed in the Irit of righteousness. He promised a Kingdom of peace and love, a fellowship, a brotherhood. He urged ones to find that familial love and bond as Israel once again, to restore the link that had been broken by other nations. Yesus prophesied that a coming restoration would happen however, and that the tribes would find themselves redeemed by their own vows of righteousness, and in that be returned to the land of Zion, New Jerusalem. He sent Disciples into the world to preach and prepare Israel for a physical and Iritual restoration, “salvation is of Yehudah.”

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  (Matthew 10:5-7)

In that ministry of the Disciples, there is even a record of an Ethiopian high official receiving the New Gospel – a man who already knew the Old Testament, who already had the learning of Israel’s God  (Acts 8:26-39).

11. Centuries later, the Israelites who were in Afrika for generations, were captured by the Arabs, Christians and the “new kingdom of Jews” in Europe – (white jews who were adopted the religion when the True Jews fled and were scattered in captivity) and brought over to the Americas in slavery. Deuteronomy 28 speaks  in great detail about the curses that would come upon them in slavery and captivity, which all can be seen to be true in the Afrikan Holocaust and the state of Blacks in the “new world.”

Because of iniquity like vanity, fornication, murder, adultery, idolatry, stiff-neckedness and indifference, the Nation of Israel was promised the following curses which came into effect in various cycles and generations in the Bible, and which is historically proven by those Hebrews that survived the Afrikan slave trade. These points of affliction noted by italics are taken directly from the King James Version Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 verses unless otherwise noted.

              - Illness – both mental and physical, such as ague (currently defined as diseases such as malaria and shivering fits), consumption (tuberculosis), chronic fear, depression, blindness, madness, astonishment of heart, pestilence (epidemics like HIV/AIDS), fever, inflammation, extreme burning, botch, scab and itch, as well as illness that smites the legs and knees (e.g. arthritis).
                - Hunger and starvation – the land closed itself to Israel, giving them nothing that they sow (probably meaning drought or changed seasons for indigenous foods). Also the nations that took Afrika apart, took the land, crops and animals for themselves, leaving nothing but meagre rations of rotten food for the new so-called Negro labour force.
                - The rain shall be powder and dust from heaven – taken here as drought and pollution, also the falling debris caused by war and the weaponry/ammunition of the white world which they alone created.
            - Death – by illness and starvation, wild animals and beasts and the swords of Israel’s enemies. Every curse results in the death of sinful Israelites, but this is stated as a process to decrease Israel and their property in number (rather than being like sand and stars) so that only those Righteous will remain. Though literal animals are implied (Israel’s bodies are food for them), the wild beasts can also be translated as a barbaric white power or people in general, who took Israel’s children and cattle from them. There are food additives such as Aspartame and Fluoride which are poisonous to the body. Since December 31st 2009, the trading world became subject to the Codex Alimentarius organization which all manufacturers to legally significantly reduce the nutritional value of food stuff. The long-term, 2012 aim is to decrease the world’s population by the millions through direct and hidden malnutrition and starvation! Most of the world affected will be Black people!
                - A fierce barbarian nation (fierce countenance) has come up against Israel and our Black kin, a nation whose tongue Blacks did not initially understand until we were forced to. They besieged our land, made it impossible for us to function, until they successfully brought our walls down. When that was complete (turning us against one another in panic) they stole rather than bought us, then sold us as slaves to their kin. Joel talks about Kham’s or the Kanaanite betrayal of Israel, just like history recalls how Afrikans trade their brothers and sisters to the White merchants.

They have cast lots for My people, Have given a boy as payment for a harlot,
      And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.
      “ Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia?
      Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me,
      Swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head;
      Because you have taken My silver and My gold,
      And have carried into your temples My prized possessions.
       Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem
      You have sold to the Greeks, that you may remove them far from their borders.
 (Joel 3:3-6)

                - The Pride of Israel’s power shall be broken – related to the above point, this can be taken as a reference to the vast Land and resources, the Church, Family/Home and the State which have been revoked from the Black world. The anti-religion created by the Israelites was destroyed in the high places, the idols cut down and sinners killed among them. JAH no longer resides in the first Sanctuary. In captivity, Israel has no power to stand against the enemy - no political sway against or social rights to address the Whites. Israel was made low and the White man set on high. Israel was made to borrow and never lend them because they now control our resources. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hosea 4:6)
                - The enemy shall dwell specifically in Eretz Yisra’el (the Ashkenazi German Jews) while Israel is mentally and physically held captive elsewhere (West). The sword is the tool that ensured our removal from the land, as we were sent fleeing from the sword seven ways; and scattered to all kingdoms of the earth among the heathens. Our King who we set over ourselves and our nation was taken and made to serve the idols of such heathens. Our children were also taken by force, molested and abused – stolen and given to other people, taken into captivity (adoption, slavery, human trafficking, diamond rebel recruitment, prostitution). Afrika today being the remnant who stayed, has lost finally its sight (knowledge of us) looking for our return, they have no power in their possession to save or find us.

“Feed the flock for slaughter, whose owners slaughter them and feel no guilt; those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for I am rich’; and their shepherds do not pity them (Zechariah 11:4-5).
              
  - Those who remain after the desolation shall be left to sin forever in the enemy’s land, to die in their sin. Damnation, vexation, rebuke, oppression and spoilment forever no man shall be able to save Afrika/Israel from the curse of the land, they failed at all endeavours whether political, economic, or social, allowing Afrika to be weakened, and finally perishing as a sovereign kingdom. Israel and Afrika are mad and powerless because Blacks see the White man take everything for himself. Integration is an illusion.
                - Israel has eaten the fruits of her own body and the flesh of her own children – we have sacrificed our own well-being and future because of the corruption that has taken over our minds, spirits and bodies. Fathers and mothers are no longer delicate and loving, but are made to despise their own seed because of our Blackness. Children are abused, molested and abandoned by their own parents because of the siege of the whites against our nation. The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; His sin is stored up. The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, For he should not stay long where children are born. (Hosea 13:12-13).        
                - Israel feels a great terror in the land of the enemy, a faintness of heart because we shall never feel safe in captivity. Even today Afrikans have to seek refuge from wicked political groups and gangs. We shall flee when no one is chasing, meaning we shall escape when we can, for ensample migration, suicide and the Underground Railroad. Blacks shall fall over their brothers when fleeing.
                - Jail or any form of physical confinement – cursed Israel’s heaven and earth shall be iron and brass. “But this is a people robbed and plundered;  All of them are snared in holes,  And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one says, “Restore!”  (Isaiah 42:22).
                - Blacks have been reduced to by words, proverbs and an astonishment, among the other nations – we are shocking sights to the white people, especially women and children, we are wonders which induce both fear and interest, we have been called “niggers,” “coons,” “boy/girl,” “moors,” “chicken George,” “monkey” and all other types of horrible names. These names have replaced our royal identity, we are no longer known as Elohim’s People.
                - We serve our enemies in hunger, thirst, nakedness and desperation (desperation because we are in want of survival and equality). They yoked us by chains when we were taken from the East to the West in ships, but today white supremacy as described by Dr. Welsing is the yoke and spiritual war we battle against; ensuring our continuous destruction every day by the thousands.
                - Israel finds no ease or rest among other nations our lives hang in doubt before us with no assurance for its continuance or security – we are threatened by police, gangs, poverty and Caesar’s law which targets Blacks.
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.  The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2 Thessalonian 2:8-12).

The Book of Jubilees is poignant in describing the tone of sin and desolation, and the fall from grace of a race in chapter 1:4-25. It matches the Biblical prophecies regarding the Black Hebrew Israelite scatter, captivity and restoration by ships, over waters. Deuteronomy 28: 48-50, 64-68, Genesis 15: 13-14 and Isaiah 22:17-19 in particular, describe the historical/spiritual accounts of the Israelite destructions that happened in Eretz Yisra’el and in Afrika. In both sources, it was prophesied that Afrikan nations of Judah and Ephraim would be uprooted, literally stolen like pies from a window-sill, abused, tortured and scattered every which way from the Afrikan coastline.

Therefore, when I and I say “the Afrikan Diaspora” we do not simply imply random Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade descendants any longer. Yes it was an Afrikan holocaust of strictly very Black so-called “Negro” people. But the number of different types of Afrikan identities that were involved in said enslavement is vast. The number of royal bloodlines is unknown. Consider the amount of history and villages that were annihilated in the raids, or by the seas, malnutrition, fear and so on. It was an Afrikan-Hebrew holocaust and dispersal, just like it was an Ashanti, Senegalese or a Gambian holocaust. The Black Western identity must now include those descendants of the Afrika that existed before the arrival of the Greco-Romans through Britain, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and Italy; as well as the encompassed exiled Hebrew tribes of Judah from Kanaan, Kush and Kemet.

The four  defining histories of I and I Blacks both at home and abroad linking us to Israel are:
1. the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (the scattering)
2. the colonial Scramble for Afrika or the dividing of the continent and even the Americas and the Caribbean, among European powers (the captivity)
3. the neo-colonial social, economic and political factors that have enslaved the race by economics, globalization, politics, idolatrous religion; causing death and poverty (the desolation)
4. the departure from White spiritual authority in the territories of the Afrikan Diaspora, as provoked by Prophets, Priests and the King who sustained the attack on Kushite Judah (the re-gathering of the Remnant).

12. After the desolation of Israel in the slave trade, the Beast of Rome which is shown in the Book National Sunday Law(can be found online) to be in fact that Beast and whore that wage war against the Messiah the long time enemy of Judah, arose again in Afrika to attack the Kingdom of David, ruled by Emperor Menelik II and later Emperor Haile Sellassie I. Italy or Rome, wanted to take the holy land for themselves – the entire Horn of Afrika, to create their own legacy in the ancient lands of the Gods.

Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. (Revelation 13:6-7)

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.
(Daniel 7:25)

Emperor Haile Sellassie I was forced to leave Judah in order to defend Her right in the League of Nations – a group that represented all the kings of the earth. 5 years later to the date He returned victorious and shook the Dragon from Zion. The events of the war fulfilled Psalm 111 which speaks of David-Melchizedek’s reign as king and what he shall do for Zion and Israel.

The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand,
         Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
  The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
  Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
   Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power;
         In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.
 The Lord has sworn And will not relent,
         “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
       The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.
 He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies,
         He shall execute the heads of many countries.
 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
      I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth;
      And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man;
      He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud;
      He shall prevail against His enemies.”
(Isaiah 42:1, 4, 13)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
      KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 
(Revelation 19:11-16)

13. After His Majesty successfully restored Judah, and the order of Her Kingdom, He then had time years later to reach out to the Black Nations around the world who had, in the time of His war, awoken to their true birthright and ancestry in Ethiopia Afrika. The King of Kings as prophesied in Revelation 19 above, set about to fulfill his final task of bringing the lost tribes back into their homeland, a New Jerusalem. He even sent Churches into the West that they may find back their true Irituality and faith, and offered 5 Gashas of land in Shashemene that they might return if they were so willing to once again be at home. The EWF is a testament to this.
RasTafari are some such restored and returned True Black Hebrew Israelites, reclaiming the title and birthright of Judah once again.

this happened in fulfilment of Genesis 49's prophecy for Judah- JAH RasTafari is Shiloh - the Lawgiver that the people gathered unto, the sceptre did not depart from Judah until after He RESTORED Israel:

 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Gen 49:8-10)


 RasTafari Love and Blessings to all Israel,
Ila 



How to Sew Cute Girl's Maxi Skirts with Elastic Belt

Greetings,

Continuing with my sewing tutorials - as Ive been doing a little lately - here are two maxi skirt's for your princess that you can make to keep her stylish and proud of her Afrikan culture. one is moreo f a pencil-maxi, and the other is a puffy maxi.

Happy sewing sistren! Tank top tutorial to follow. I also made the black jersey shirt just by using a Tshirt, cutting the outline and sewing it up and hemming the neckline, arm and bottom.






   


Please note also that this tutorial teaches the SIstren how to make the elastic belted maxi instead of inserting the elastic into the fabric - this method is much nicer and more stylish: check out some that i have done - even my denim maxi with pockets I refashioned with this belt. (note the accessories in these photos are for sale you can check www.iloveafrika.com:




Ila


Sunday 20 January 2013

How To Sew a Traditional Afrikan Kaftan Dress

Greetings!

So I am going to be making some maternity wear as my clothes are beginning to get a little tight in certain areas - not the belly yet tho. This tutorial is on how to make yourself a basic traditional kaftan dress, African style. It's very simple and does not have any extra style or embellishment - you can use this tutorial to make sabbath clothing, home clothing, knockaround or maternity clothing. I would recommend 3 yards of fabric for this one. happy sewing!




Ila


Tuesday 15 January 2013

My Split Pea Vegetable Soup Part 2

Greetings!



Today I wanted soup again and I was prepared with all my provision and veges, so I'm offering a second tutorial just with the same basic recipe but with more ingredients. this soup was indeed very delicious and thick and satisfying - do give it a try.

for the large pot here are the ingredients:

1 cup split pea
1/4 cup pearl barley (optional)
1 small-med yam
2 small sweet potato or 1 large
1 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup each  brocolli, carrot, cauliflower, string bean
1 onion, 2 pimento,3 garlic clove, chives to season

to taste: sea salt, soy sauce, cumin, tumeric, dried basil, ground ginger.


Blessed Cooking!
Ila

Monday 14 January 2013

Reasoning on Wearing Jewelry and Adornment

Blessed Love,

The Rastafari Wombman in taking up the livity, in many cases, enters a community where there are certain taboos in place for her free movement about the bredren in the home and gathering place (tabernacle, yard, church). In Rastafari livity there are taboos on purification, stemming from the Bible but which also were adopted because of the ingrained Jamaican taboo on menstrual blood and the presence of women in holy spaces. There are also taboos on her physical appearance, enforcing a certain degree of modesty. Traditionally, she is expected to carry herself in a manner that is unobtrusive on the Rasta man’s priestly way of life, and which does not cause contention or distraction amongst the bredren. 
    
In the earliest generations of RasTafari when the Sistren started to emerge from the home more, they were encouraged to look royal in an Afrikan or Ethiopian manner, and to be natural in keeping with the dreadlock covenant: no toxic "fake-up," or make-up, toxic nail polish; and for some no jewellery either, or, no jewellery that was not Afrikan or handmade in the community. When looking at videos of Rastafari women in the past, such as Queen Omega Rising, we see evidence of this trend, that the outward appearance was Afrikan-based, modest and not overly adorned for many. Rasta women wore beaded chains and pins made of coconut and wood, and which were handmade in the community. 

The Empress in being natural was urged to be inclined toward matters of the heart, finding righteousness and the glory therein; rather than focusing on the outward body and its beautification. Vanity was to be shunned, because in Babylon, women would destroy their natural bodies with chemicals and surgery to attain the white man’s ideal of beauty. They rejected their natural selves for an ideal that carried many forms of sin. First Samuel 16:7 reminds man and woman: “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Because man looked at the outside first, a Sistren was encouraged not to give man too much to look at, because as an Ethiopian Queen she was worth more than her appearance, and spoken for by the Most High JAH and her King-Man. One could only truly know a Dawta through her speech and word sound. 

It was important that the Dawta, in being “cultured” by the bredren, leave off as much of Babylon as she could and separate herself from the impure woemen who used their beauty for wickedness, who forgot JAH and who had no husband or raspect for him: “‘I will punish her For the days of the Baals to which she burned incense. She decked herself with her earrings and jewelry, And went after her lovers; But Me she forgot,’ says the Lord” (Hosea 2:13 NKJV). 

It was noted by Rita Marley and other women, that Bob Marley always made sure that women knew not to wear pants or make-up when with him or coming to his house on 56 Hope Road, which he had established as the RasTa camp in the “rich part of town.” Bob Marley as a Rasta Man, therefore, formally requested them to conform to the traditions of the bredren. The dress code of the first rising generations of RasTafari Wombman is shown by the I-Three as the movement grew between the 1970s and 80s. 

 The first Mansions of RasTafari took these principles from the Bible. Paul and Peter taught their Nazarene churches that man or woman were not to get caught up behind worldly things, but to be focused on the adorning of the spirit which was pure and everlasting, and which had life unlike idols and trinkets which were dead things. “Women professing godliness” and “holy women” were expected to focus more on moral character and service than on how they looked. Righteousness and Fruits of the Spirit were the values that should preoccupy their time and mind instead. 

 “…in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV). 

 “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.” (1 Peter 3:3-6 NKJV). 

 Exposing the dreadlock crown and body is therefore an act not only defined by wearing short, revealing or explosive garments, but in excessively advertising one’s beauty by adornment with jewels, gold, precious gems, make-up, salon hairstyles and so on. By the tone of Paul and Peter, it can be concluded that to be a Nazarene wife, it was required that a woman focus on her internal beauty, not her external beauty which could cause distractions. 

This tradition likely arose because of the peculiarity of their time. Those believers who had any riches, which would include expensive jewellery, contributed it to the forming of a church in their community, and therefore had to be willing to reject vanity and greed – to lose their life and gain back another one through their faith in founding the church of Eyesus Kristos. The apostles encouraged them in this change because it benefited the church. Likewise, RasTafari rejected all associations with Babylon in the earlier days of the Movement, and many sold their possessions in order to repatriate to Afrika. Jamaicans had to let go if they truly wanted Afrikan redemption. 

The Bobo Shanty House/EABIC especially is conscious of the fact that the Lioness in her modesty requires no adornment of the body with trinkets (beyond handmade beaded necklaces and bracelets and guidance pins) or fake-up. She is called upon to not be a distraction to the Priesthood by making herself too noticeable or attractive. Such attention is for the King-Man to give and receive privately at home. The EABIC maintains that babies also do not need Babylonian vanities enforced upon them. Piercing a princess’ ears is an unnecessary, painful act which serves not the child’s eyes or ego; but the family’s wishes to adorn the child by their standards of satisfaction whereby they present the child to others. Earrings, anklets, toe, nose and navel rings, and belly chains are traditionally discouraged in the EABIC though today some Princesses can be seen wearing finger rings, chains and sometimes even pierce their ears – it truly depends on the camp and how it is run, or whether a dawta is a part of an official camp.

One foundation Scripture which is used by this RasTafari Priesthood to abandon all forms of adornment is Isaiah 3, where the Prophet reprimands the Daughters of Zion living in Jerusalem or Judah for their vanity and beguiling ways, as such went hand in hand with their carnal and spiritual sins. The Daughters of Zion would lose their confidence in their adornments and pretty garments, in their haughty and seductive ways. Isaiah 3: 16-26 NKJV specifies that a woeman would lose the pleasure of everything she owns: anklets, scarves, pendants (crescent moon) and charms, bracelets, veils, headdresses, leg ornaments, perfume boxes, rings, nose jewels, festal apparel, mantles, outer garments, purses, mirrors, fine linen, turbans/hats, veils and robes. All vanities, all pride in self, all adornment and fetishes would be taken away. This is because she would lose her home and become a slave or a widow or motherless, she would lose everything because of her sins through these things (fornication, adultery, idolatry). It also can be interpreted to show that she would lose her confidence in using these things again because of the tribulation that could return with them. 

Moreover the Lord says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, Walking and mincing as they go, Making a jingling with their feet, Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab, the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, And the Lord will uncover their secret parts.” In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils; The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; The perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings; The nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles; The outer garments, the purses, and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes. And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, baldness; Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty. Your men shall fall by the sword, And your mighty in the war. Her gates shall lament and mourn, And she being desolate shall sit on the ground. (Isaiah 3:16-26) 

Ezekiel 16 is another chapter that can be married to Isaiah 3, and it must be noted that in this chapter, adornment is used as a way of illustrating how beautiful Israel was to Yahweh as his creation – he adorned Israel with jewels and fine garments, and made her beautiful. But then Israel defiled herself by taking other gods and using the riches given by Yahweh, to adorn and worship idols. One could argue therefore, that adornment is acceptable once the laws of Yahweh are not defiled in any form or fashion.

Moving past jewellery, EABIC’s forbidden embellishments also include wearing nail polish and make-up, especially lip and eye make-up. Eye-makeup is considered an act of beguilement and nothing more - it creates a false representation. There is no need for a woman to colour her eyes or her lips for that matter - other than to intentionally attract and coerce men, or to compete with and arrogantly set herself above her fellow female counterparts. An EABIC Dawta should strive to do none of the above by the laws of the Church of Black Redemption. 

In regard to make-up wearing in the Biblical days, it was a common thing for Khamite and Mesopotamian women to paint their eyes black, red, yellow and green with kohl, and it was something they did to protect their eyes in harsh desert environments, but also for their gods, linked to fertility or sexual energy. The wearing of eye make-up and of provocative garments were traditions the Israelite daughters adopted in Canaan along with idolatry, because the sons of Abraham married foreign daughters (idols and their maidservants, concubines, princesses and women of spoil). From the time of Rebekah and Esau, the idolatrous daughters of the land caused grief to the wives of the Patriarchs. The foreign wives were highly associated with women of ill-repute because of their worship of idols and the sins committed in doing so. 

Jezebel is used as an example: “Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window” (2 Kings 9:30). She had adorned herself as high priestess in preparation to do battle against Yahweh in the name of Baal. It followed that church doctrine dictated those who over-embellished outside the law and traditions of Moses in these ways, were woemen who transgressed the Covenant of Abraham with idolatry. They ultimately had bad intentions against fellow man and woman, and could not be trusted. 

“For after they had slain their children for their idols, on the same day they came into My sanctuary to profane it; and indeed thus they have done in the midst of My house. “Furthermore you sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and there they came. And you washed yourself for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments. Thus I will cause lewdness to cease from the land, that all women may be taught not to practice your lewdness.” (Ezekiel 23:39-40, 48 NKJV). 

“Though you clothe yourself with crimson, Though you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold, Though you enlarge your eyes with paint, In vain you will make yourself fair. Your lovers will despise you; They will seek your life.” (Jeremiah 4:30 NKJV)

"O my son! let not a silly woman deceive thee with her speech, lest thou die the most miserable of deaths, and she entangle thee in the net till thou art ensnared. O my son! desire not a woman bedizened with dress and with ointments, who is despicable and silly in her soul. Woe o thee if thou bestow on her anything that is thine, or commit to her what is in thine hand and she entice thee into sin, and God be wroth with thee." (The Story of Ahikar, Chapter 2:8-9) 

To dress like one of these woemen therefore would not be favourable if one considered this point of view of the Hebrews. 

There is also a similar kind of issue with perfumes, as perfumes were popularly used for the purpose of beguiling or to attract the attention of men. Even Ruth was told by Naomi to prepare herself to gain a blessing from Boaz – she had to present herself and wait for him to give favour (Ruth 3:3). 

In the EABIC tabernacle, RasTafari Empresses are generally discouraged from wearing scents that are too strong or from wearing too much at once so as to keep unlawful sexual attraction at bay among the priesthood. The Taba is not the place for strong scents which affect the concentration, or even senses of others, who only wish to commune and worship. On a practical level, if every Sistren arrived heavily cloaked in a different scent, the entire Taba would stink and heat up by the time Sacrament starts to rise and spread. 

As the final Scriptural word on the issue of embellishment, Enoch recorded in His Book that adorning the body was something never done in the earth, before man and woman were defiled by the angels who lusted after flesh. Adornment was therefore not of First Creation – “Adam and Eve” didn’t even have clothing initially, right? The Watchers brought the knowledge of developing creativity through the environment, causing humanity to lock itself into a cycle of vanity, which in many instances harms the environment and man (mining, deforestation, toxicity of chemicals used to create products, iniquity). Enoch maintained that adornment led people astray, as this embellishment heightened sexual attraction and carnal vibrations. 

And Azazel taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony [toxic chemical element], and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. (Book of Enoch Chapter 8:1-3). 

 . . .

 Because these stipulations against adornment exist, for those who are strong enforcers of Hebrew Law, the issue of adornment is one that always comes up in defining what is authentic Rasta Woman Livity. Eventually however, or rather, realistically, each decides her pace for adornment, however it may be. Some Dawtas wear earrings, and pierce their daughters’ ears; some wear them but not their daughters, and others do not at all. Some will stress the importance of wearing earrings only on special occasions, rather than as a daily habit. Some choose only clip-ons so as to avoid piercing, or pierce only one hole in each ear at a time, as compromises. 

The Nyahbinghi Guidelines also say that piercing is forbidden. Some will argue that Empress Menen wore jewellery and pierced earrings. It was her right as a Queen, and one could certainly never claim that she was immoral or lacking in her devotion to the church and Christian way of life. Others may even point out that Rasta men make all these demands on modesty for a woman, but it is not what they are actually attracted to, they often form relationships and have children with women who proudly wear revealing garments or adorn heavily - free from biblical expectations.

Adornment can be debated, but there truly is no right or wrong, only personal preference. But one thing that stands, is that a natural woman who has humbled to JAH, is beautiful in her movement, speech and vibrant body regardless of how she looks. It is more important for every woman to develop self-love and peace within her own body, to see herself as beautiful, special and sacred as a blank canvas – the way in which she entered this world. She shouldn’t depend on her possessions and looks to gain happiness or sustenance – she should depend only on JAH and the natural talents given to her for her own survival and contribution to the world.

A RasTa Wombman must be comfortable in her own skin the way JAH made it. Modern beautification means less natural but for the Dawta it is the opposite. Her desire to adorn does not define or balance out who she is. Neither is her self-confidence so poor that she destroys herself to be beautiful. She shouldn’t depend on adornments or use her body to gain anything, or develop obsessions over such. Adornments are secondary parts of her wardrobe which reflect her culture and faith; and are not the most attractive or noticeable things about her. Her reputation and positive vibes weigh more than her beauty. Her good words and works are becoming too.

Judging from the overall general culture within RasTafari, many Sistren continue to wear their earrings, anklets and so on, and do not consider it to be something that should be frowned upon because it is part of the Afrikan identity in general. Afrikans created fashion, make-up and jewellery! Wearing earrings is not an offensive act if a Sistren is virtuous in her speech, thoughts and mannerisms or actions. The only abuse in wearing earrings or pendants would be in unlawful imagery like charms depicting white idols, guns, alcohol glasses, profanity, and in wearing them at inappropriate times like during Taba worship or periods of Fast. While gathering amongst other Rastafari, it is also important that she is mindful to wear modest attire so that she can never be accused to bringing vulgarity in the high places of Jah Rastafari. 

Ideally, though the elder guidelines of RasTafari do not support the adornment of the Sistren, today it is clear that a Dawta may adorn herself once she carries a raspectful tone and manner. Many Sistren positively or royally wear RasTafari or indigenous Afrikan handmade and organic jewellery and adorn themselves in Afrocentric things. They see their adornments as symbols of their livity, faith and heritage. Accessories are often made of wood, seeds and wooden beads, cowrie shells, hemp, coconut shell, leather, crochet and African-printed fabrics. 

Many Sistren adorn themselves with such natural or organic materials because they feel a close connection to the earth and draw their Goddess strength and confidence from Mother Nature. Many aim to stay away from too many precious metals and diamonds which represent “blood diamonds,” and other expensive Babylonian styled bling and trinkets. Some don’t wear any adornments beyond a guidance-badge with a picture of the I-Head JAH RasTafari or Marcus Garvey, or Prince Emmanuel on it. 

Overall, the way that a RasTafari Daughter adorns herself is heavily founded upon her Afrikan heritage. Gold and silver accessories when worn, often have RasTafari, Akan or Ethiopian Orthodox symbols on them such as the cross, maskel, ankh, Africa or Ethiopia map, Star of David, adinkra and so on. These were emblems also worn by JAH RasTafari King Alpha and Queen Omega. They represented Their faith on Their clothing as do RasTafari, through royal embellishment. 

And in this frame of mind, it can be overstood that for RasTafari Sistren, wearing embellishments are more so statements of purpose and identity; affirmations of a reclaimed Afrikan parentage or heritage. Many Sistren adorn themselves in the colours of Ethiopia and with pictures of the I-Head because they wish to display their strength, Iritual awakening and the revolution taking place against wickedness and the deceptions of White Supremacy. Embellishment of the garments and body adds the touch of Black Nationhood, the Mother Continent tradition. Truly a RasTafari Lioness embellishes herself in the same context as an Ethiopian wife on the battlefield. She wants the world and enemy to know where her allegiance lies!

. . . .

 In conclusion, it cannot be discounted that while the Sistren has the freedom to dress as she sees fit, the traditions of the RasTafari wife are also heavily influenced by the King-Dreads. The King-Man can request for his Queen not to eat flesh or drink alcohol, not to wear earrings or pants or revealing clothing or make-up, and to cover her dread in public - from the very beginning of their courtship. Or he can at least ask her to cut-down on her old habits. In the time that he “cultures” her in RasTafari, she will be presented with images of other wombman in the faith, with pictures of Queen Omega Empress Menen Asfaw Herself, and come to realize that unlike what is taught by Babylon, her self-image is most telling of her trod in RasTafari – which from Inception was totally R and Ital. 

The Afrikan Queen is to be adorned and glorified in her royalty, but her beauty is to be more than skin-deep or she will be labelled a "Jezebel.” In today’s society, Babylon mainstream is a system of many gods and wicked men that enslave women in many ways, and they follow without realizing the corruption within. Though a RasTa Daughter may hold on to some old ways in how she dresses, she is expected to still be wary of her actions and steps, and to purposely strive to conquer any Babylonian association, vanity and oppression. 

On the other hand, a Virtuous Empress choosing to keep wearing acrylic nails, make-up or earrings does not mean that she is weak for carnal sin and will act as a shame to herself or husband – she can look lovely and be the best Sistren, mother and queen/wife (helper and leader) in her community. The King-Man’s acceptance or consent of this is because he is alongside his Queen – her adornment is his adornment, and even his own vanity because she is his. 

Generally, to leave off embellishments is a huge challenge and sacrifice which may be hard for Sistren to make every day. Though embellishment or adornment is not strictly forbidden due to “Mansion” distinctions, it is still warranted that the RasTafari Wombman should continually strive throughout her journey to overcome her own issues of vanity in all forms. She must not depend on things to feel confident or worthy of love and attention. Whether or not she wears jewellery or cosmetics or nail polish; her aim is to ensure that she shines from within through her words, actions and relationships rather than in the things she owns or wears. 

She is not striving to be most beautiful on the outside, but most beautiful, loving, kind and nurturing from the inside - achieving this peace and love within for her own body, mind and Irit naturally manifests external vibrations of true beauty and inspiring, healing power. These are the qualities that define the RasTafari Lioness and Empress apart from her pan-African warrior strength and queenly ways. It is best that she find and place all her value and wealth within her personality or morality rather than in her jewellery and clothing and lusts thereof. To reiterate, her adornments are secondary to what’s in her heart and mind. In order to know herself, she must strip herself of all that she is and build from there. 

Character of the New [Womb]Man 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Krist forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Krist dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord [JAH RasTafari], giving thanks to God the Father through [HIM]. (Colossians 3: 12-17 NKJV)

RasTafari Guide and Itect
Sis. Ila

(This post was has been updated 24/9/2021)