Give thanks Nesta. Really and truly I agree with your sentiments. I am very much western in dialect and looks. If one were to speak to me on the phone most assume I am white because of my proper English and vocabulary, though being from the southern portion of the US I have always prided myself on being able to be understood by others (linguistically) and not to mention I have earlobes like a Buddha statue lol. I used to have them stretched many years ago. So I can understand why ones would assume that. I certainly do look foreign and I remain aware of that.
I felt that my initial welcome was actually quite warm, but as time passed (10 minutes) I could quickly begin to see I was viewed more like an ATM, seeing that some would have the audacity to just flat ask for money as if I owed it to them for whatever reason. I believe I was expecting a much more humble experience than what was received. I did end up buying something from the brothers because truly I would do anything within reason to support the movement and I think they would have seen that if they would have been more humble and relaxed about the situation. But yes it did hurt to trod all the way to Shashamane (over 7000 miles) to be treated that way.
I believe it's the build up of Shashamane that a lot of Rasta give, saying it is the promised land, yet there is hardly any real development there to be seen. Even the local Oromo didn't have this attitude towards me. I hear many Ethiopians go to where the Rasta are as more of an "attraction" and I felt in the end as if it was treated by the young brothers as an attraction.
I certainly hold no hard feelings for the brothers or for Shashamane for that matter. If anything I truly sympathize with them seeing the conditions that they live in, especially in comparison to what Addis is, it seems very neglected. I wondered if the elders of the movement condoned this behavior because I did not see any elders within the 12 Tribes HQ. I tend to get along better with elders more so than people my own age anyway and these brothers were quite young, around my age give or take (26 or so).
I still feel there are true brothers out there in Shashamane who are righteous and just want to live natural and free. It may just be that I did not get to witness that part. But the experience was very bitter sweet. Though my experience with the 12 tribes was less than desired, I feel it ended up positive being that I still got to see so much of REAL Africa. The men on the donkeys, cattle herds crossing the street, crazy traffic, but mostly the beautiful and vast country side of the Oromo region. I've found even in the worst situations there is usually some good to be seen if you have the eyes to see it, which Africa is developing in me because I have been a pessimist for so much of my life, though that is changing more and more.
I also find it ironic that I seemed/felt more accepted as a brother in the Tewahedo Church than I was in the 12 Tribes Mansion. I have always been a proponent of doing unto others as you would have done unto you. Though I have fallen short of this at times I never try to judge anyone because of their location, race, finances, or religion, but more so on how they treat myself and others. I believe this is Jah showing that the path and promise land of others may not be the plan and path Jah has for me and I can accept that.
I will not let this experience corrupt my view of Africa nor Rastafari as a whole because I do not feel it is like this in every place Rasta dwell together. This has certainly taught me to be even more cautious on my trod in Africa, though I have seen more than not, if you treat the people well here, they will treat you well also. That particular experience really did hurt me, seeing how humble the Ethiopians were towards me and I expected that and more from a Rasta brother. I didn't come asking for anything or seeking to take anything. Merely to experience the joy of dwelling with people of the same faith and communing with Rasta brethren.
Alas I give thanks for the brothers on this forum and the Rasta brothers who are doing the works of His Imperial Majesty and spreading the knowledge of not only His Majesty but of Africans and our true heritage and culture. For, regardless of this experience it is still a blessing to be trodding in the land of my father's father and the land where the IMIghty loves to dwell. As you stated, these are learning and growing experiences that can never be taken away from the I and Jah has proven as long as I stay on my own path Jah has designated, he shall sustain me. I give many thanks for this reasoning and truly love my brothers here, near, and far.
One Perfect Love
Rastafari
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