Rastafarians from across the country, neighbouring Suri-name and French Guiana are expected to converge at Union Village on the Corentyne for one week commencing today to observe the 73rd anniversary of the coronation of former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.

According to Darryl Dorsett, aka ‘Fire Lion’, the eight-day period of activities will commence today and conclude next Saturday.

During this period a new Nayabinghi tabernacle and centre will be built on a plot of land donated by the elders of the village. According to Dorsett members of the Niyabinghi order were to congregate on Thursday to prepare for the launching of the tabernacle and the centre. The centre and tabernacle, he said, will be used by members of the Order and those wishing to partake in their religious activities. It will also be used to teach the young and old about Black history and the goals and objectives of the Order.

‘Fire Lion’ also told this newspaper that one of the reasons for establishing the centre is to prove to those who criticise Rastafarians that “not all Rastas are thieves or criminals. There are a number of people who wear locks and say they are Rastas but in fact are wolves in sheep clothing and are causing problems for the true followers of the faith. It is our intention to show Guyana and the world that true Rastas can make a positive contribution to the development of young people and the communities in which they live.”

He noted that because of the negative activities in which some Rastas become involved, anyone who wears locks is considered by the police and society as criminals and are therefore targets for the lawmen. “It is our intention through the activities and programmes we intend to conduct at the centre, to prove that true Rastas believe in righteousness, truth, peace, love, unity, true democracy and human rights. We condemn all forms of violence, drug dealing, racism, criminal activity and all forms of suppression and discrimination.”

Union Village or No.53 Village, situated some 34 miles from New Amsterdam was purchased as an abandoned cotton plantation by four settlers. Cooperatively they constructed the middle walk which became a main street to the village from the public road with shovels, apart from other major development works.

Traditionally the village has been the hub of African culture in Berbice and the villagers were called the “Congas” because they maintained their cultural identity. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church gained a foothold in the village in the 1940s and 1950s when a group of Ethiopian eunuchs visited the village. Some villagers attempted to teach the children the Ethiopian language. A branch of the Negro Progress Convention was also established at Union.