New Rastafari Tabernacle Inaugurated Near Nairobi
A new Rastafari tabernacle has been inaugurated in Ruai, a suburb 25 kilometers east of Nairobi, marking a significant milestone for the Rastafari community amid growing recognition of their faith in Kenya. The celebration drew at least 30 attendees who participated in a ceremony featuring singing, scripture readings, and discussions on Rastafari principles, reports 24brussels.
The tabernacle, constructed from wooden poles and iron sheets, is adorned in the movement’s traditional red, yellow, and green colors. This development follows a pivotal 2019 High Court ruling in Kenya that granted legal status to Rastafari, legitimizing the movement after a student was expelled for refusing to cut her dreadlocks, a hairstyle central to their beliefs. The ruling was later upheld by the Supreme Court.
Rastafari, which originated in 1930 following the coronation of Ras Tafari Mekonnen as Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, regards Selassie as a divine figure and sees Ethiopia as a beacon of resistance against colonization. Although the Emperor was overthrown in 1974 and died soon after, the movement has persisted globally, with communities extending to the U.S. and Ghana.
In Kenya, Rastafari comprises three primary groups, or “mansions”—Nyabinghi, Bobo Ashanti, and The Twelve Tribes of Israel—each holding worship sessions in makeshift tabernacles rather than permanent structures. Despite its minority status in a country primarily dominated by Christianity and Islam, Rastafari is experiencing growth, particularly among the youth.
Ng’ang’a Njuguna, an elder from the Nyabinghi mansion, described Rastafari as “a spiritual way of life” that fosters connections with nature and all living beings. Converts like 26-year-old Fedrick Wangai view embracing Rastafari as an act of liberation from colonial-era religious influences. Wangai stated, “I grew up in a Christian setup and I ended up questioning the faith because it was made by the white man who was the colonial master of my forefathers.”
Older members reflect on the discrimination faced in previous years. Christine Wanjiru, who joined the movement in 1994, recounted, “Back then, there was a lot of stigma and discrimination against Rastafari… But we endured and we are here today.” She noted an increase in followers, saying, “More brethren have received this light and have come to Rastafari.”
Njuguna observed that younger Kenyans are attracted to the Rastafari lifestyle, appreciating their dietary practices and artistic expressions. The inauguration of the Ruai tabernacle signifies the growing resilience and appeal of Rastafari in Kenya, bolstered by legal acknowledgment and heightened interest among the youth.
