Government and Community Celebrations Honor Rastafarians on St. Thomas

Along with other scheduled days of events, the government of the Virgin Islands hosted a solemn and spirited Ras Tafari Day Ceremony July 23, officially honoring the Rastafarian community that follows the life, leadership, and legacy of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.

The event was held with dignity and cultural reverence, drawing community leaders, clergy, and citizens to recognize this significant day in African and Caribbean heritage.

Gov. Albert Bryan, Jr. made a formal public apology to them for the decades of persecution and prosecution endured based on their physical appearance, along with their cultural and religious practices, including the use of cannabis as a spiritual sacrament. The ceremony included Rastafarian drumming, chanting, prayers and song, including the Ethiopian national anthem.

The event was gracefully led by Mistress of Ceremonies Damali Rogers, who guided the program with poise and purpose. The invocation was delivered by Mr. Tafari Tzaddi, Minister of the Ancient Divine Order of Nyahbinghi Church, setting a spiritual tone for the proceedings.