'Supper of Rastafari' for MoBay By Adrian Frater,
Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU: THE PRINCIPLES of the Rastafarian Movement will be showcased through food, music and poetry in the Flower Hill area of Montego Bay next Saturday with an unusual package dubbed, 'Supper of Rastafari.' "It is going to be a cultural explosion projecting the principles of Rastafari as an alternative to what is going on in today's Jamaica," said Empress Itah, a member of the promotion team. "Our aim is to show that music, the spoken word and the food we eat can all contribute to our spiritually upliftment." The musical side of the package, which will be complemented by Jah Creation Sound System, will feature an all-Rastafarian cast of singers and DJs, including the likes of China Eye, Major Lloyd, Fire Lion, Okonko, Roots House Warriors, Black Lion ad Fire Key. Among the poets, new sensation Sister Melva (Melva Ramcharan) is expected to take centre-stage. Since her debut performance in Montego Bay earlier this year, the novelist/poet has been creating quite a stir with her compelling justice-based pieces. She is expected to share the spotlight with a number of lesser-known poets. "It is about using music to promote a healthy life-style," said Empress Itah, who said that drumming, dancing, live bands and steel pan music would also be a part of the entertainment package. "You won't hear any thing degrading, it will all be clean and uplifting." In regards to the food and beverage that will be on display, it will all be traditional rasta-style natural food ital dishes. The beverages will comprise a wide assortment of natural juices, prepared without alcohol. "More and more people are now eating rasta-style as they become more and more aware of the dangers of consuming meat," said Ras Views, a top dub poet in western Jamaica. "The non-Rastafarians will get a chance to see how we prepare the wonderful meals that have been keeping us so fit and healthy over the years." According to Empress Itah, while the general public is invited, she especially wants to see the young people coming out. According to her, the youth are the ones most prone to be drawn away by corrupting influence and as a consequence, they need the spiritual upliftment she expects to flow.
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