RUF in Brazil! Cultura Rastafari in the país dá passo importante for reconhecimento governamental!

At the end of July, practitioners of Rastafari culture in Brazil gained new hope of having their faith recognized by the government as a worldwide cultural religious practice and an African heritage of humanity. The arrival of the South African delegation, led by chairman Thau-Thau Haramanuba, president of the international R.U.F. (in the photo accompanying this article alongside Ras Kadhu), and by general Ayanda Nyati, gave unparalleled importance to the struggle of Rastafari adherents in the country. The delegation also had Panama and Jamaica as destinations, where a series of meetings with all lines, leaderships and organizations of the movement in the Caribbean would be held. The group remained in São Paulo for seven days for meetings and visits to Rastafari houses in the state of São Paulo, such as the Céu de Santa Maria de Sião community in Itapecerica da Serra (SP), elected headquarters of the group in Brazil, and E.A.B.I.C Brasil in Jarinu (SP). The R.U.F. NGO has already been recognized in nine African countries, including South Africa, where the organization's headquarters is located. There they were respectfully received by the country's president, Jacob Zuma.

THE MISSION OF THE R.U.F.

The work of the R.U.F. is to organize and centralize existing houses and mansions within Rastafari Culture, making them one voice — both the Nyahbinghis and the Twelve Tribes of Israel, both the Bobo Ashantis and the Rastafaris of Juramidam, as well as the orthodox and those who follow their particular devotions without belonging to any specific group. It is about the emancipation, organization, freedom and legality of a very ancient world culture, popularly known through reggae music and its messages of peace, love and equality. Despite the richness and righteousness of its ideals, it suffers much prejudice and social exclusion for having its faith based on the consumption of herb (prohibited by Brazilian law for 40 years), for the way of dressing, for 'dreadlock' hair, or even because the roots of this culture are Black, African, Ethiopian and humble.

HEAD QUARTER R.U.F. BRASIL

On July 23, the date that celebrated the 124th anniversary of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie and the seventh year of existence of Céu de Santa Maria de Sião, the R.U.F. branch in Brazil was founded. Ras Kadhu (vocalist of the band Jah i Ras) was appointed chairman and Fabricio "JahFyah" as deputy, along with Jah Pedro, André Iya Agni, Ras Fernando, Ras Thyago Dias, Lucas Frugoli Jr., Ras Bruno Muniz and Carol Jafet, following their respective roles as representatives of the R.U.F. in Brazil and South America.

CELEBRATION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

To celebrate this new organization and this true organizational leap of Rastafari culture in the country and in Latin America, an open Nyahbinghi celebration will be held. Take part! The R.U.F. greeting is: "United we take Rastafari to the Front", or in Portuguese, "Unidos levaremos o Rastafari para frente." Nyahbinghi Celebration RUF Brasil Date: 21/08/2016 Time: From 15:00 Venue: Parque Chácara do Jockey Address: Av. Pirajussara, 4301 - Butantã - SP Admission: Free and open to the public