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A RASTAFARI CHRONOLOGY
Taken from a collection of publications
Give for Thunder Magazine UK. Rasta and Resistance Horace
Campbell, DREAD-Rastafarians in Jamaica- Joseph Owens and Daily
Gleaner publications Jamaica
Guidance and blessings
Flako Tafari
1834 Abolition of Slavery in the British Caribbean, August 1st
1887 Birth of Marcus Garvey, St Anns Bay, Jamaica, August 17th
1892 Birth of Emperor Haile Selassie I, Ethiopia, June 23rd
1896 Emperor Menelik II defeats the Italians at the Battle of Adwa,
March 1st
1898 Birth of Leonard P Howell, Clarendon, Jamaica, June 16th
1900 First Pan-African Conference convened in London, England, 2325th July
1914 Marcus Garvey founds the United Negro Improvement
Association and the African Communities League in Jamaica,
August 1st
1924 Publication of The Holy Piby (or Black Mans Bible) by Shepard
Athlyi Rogers in Newark, New Jersey
1926 Publication of the Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy in
Jamaica by Rev. Fitz Balintine Pettersburg
1927-Marcus Garvey deported from the USA to Jamaica
1930-31 The Attorney General of Jamaica submitted to the Island
Privy Council the draft Revivalism and Shakers Law to stamp out
Revival and Rastafari groups
1930 Ras Tafari Makonnen is crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I, in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 2nd

1933 Leonard Howell, the first person to preach the Divinity of Haile
Selassie, is arrested for sedition in Jamaica, January 1st
1934 On the 4th March Leonard Howell was tried for sedition in St
Thomas
1934 On the 17th March Leonard Howell was given a two year prison
term for sedition
1934 The Ethiopian Research Council is founded in Washington DC
under the guidance of Dr Malaku Bayen and Professor Leo
Hansbury
1935 The Italians under Mussolini invade Ethiopia, October 3rd
1936 Emperor Haile Selassie I leaves Ethiopia on May 2nd for a 5-year
exile in Britain. He makes his historic address to the League of
Nations on June 30th
1937 Dr Malaku Bayen founds the Ethiopian World Federation (EWF)
in New York City, August 25th
1937 Local 17, the first EWF local in Jamaica, is established, with LFC
Mantle as President and Paul Erlington as Vice President
1939 Leonard Howell establishes the Ethiopian Salvation Society
1940 Leonard Howell establishes Pinnacle, a Rastafari settlement
based on communal principles
1940 Leonard Howell used his skills as an organizer for the Ethiopian
Salvation Society by using his money to provide for the poor in
the society
1941 Joseph Nathaniel Hibbert establishes a branch of the Ethiopian
Mystic Mason, loosely affiliated to the Ethiopian Coptic Church
1941 Jamaican authorities raid Pinnacle and arrest Howell, the first in
a series of colonial attacks on Howells Rastafari community, July
25th
1941 Emperor Haile Selassie I re-enters Ethiopia on May 5th after the
defeat of the Italians
1943 Leonard Howell was released from prison and returned to
Pinnacle

1947 Ras Boanerges, Bredda Arthur, Philip Panhandle, Kurukong, and

others, found the Youth Black Faith in Trench town, West
Kingston
1951 Longshoremen on the city waterfront refuse to work with
Rasta
1951 Rasta Squatter problem under Government Study
1953 The first pictures of the dreadlocks that appeared in the local
press became a lasting sign of black pride in Jamaica, a symbol
which was to gain international significance
1954/5/6 Prince Edward Emmanuel, Ras Boanerges, and others, hold
annual conventions in Back-o-Wall, West Kingston
1954 The Jamaican State raids Pinnacle on May 22nd, finally destroying
the community
1955 Emperor Haile Selassie I announce the Shashamane Land Grant
administered by the EWF
1955 Mamie Richardson visits Jamaica to publicise the EWF Land
Grant, and to promote the organisation amongst Jamaicans and
Rastafari
1958 Prince Emmanuel Edwards and other Nyahbinghi Rastafari
convene the first 21 day groundation (March 1st to March 21st )
in Back O Wall, a Kingston shanty town and a Rastafari strong
hold. It was estimated that 3000 brethren attended. The event
leads to the formal founding of the Ethiopian African
International Congress, Order of Nyah binghi
1958 At the Nyah Binghi in Kingston a full length photograph of
Emperor Haile Selassie standing with his right foot on a
unexploded Italian bomb was used as a symbol of defiance and
invincibility
1958 Members of the Rastafari movement visited Police
Commissioner regarding the relationship between police and
themselves

1959 Police and Rastafari clash in the so-called Coronation Market

Riot on May 7th, which leads to Police destruction of the
Rastafari community in Back-o-Wall, Kingston
1959 Rev Claudius Henry of the African Reform Church returned to
Jamaica after a visit to Ethiopia
1959 Thousands of people mistakenly believed that the cards
distributed to them by Rev Claudius Henry, Repairer of the
Breach would gain them passage on ships leaving for Africa on
October 5th. Many sold their possessions, but no ship came.
1960 The University of the West Indies conducts research on Rastafari
at the invitation of members of the Rastafari movement. Its
report includes a recommendation that the government of
Jamaica send a mission to Africa to explore possibilities of
Jamaicans returning. The mission should include Rastafari
1960 On April 7th Rev. Claudius Henry, was arrested and charged for
treason, later in the year Henrys son got involved with the
government of Jamaica, he was imprisoned then executed
1960 Trial of Rev. Claudius Henry 1st October
1960 Rev. Claudius Henry and 15 associated found guilty on treason
felony charges and sent to prison for 10 years
1960 Emperor Haile Selassie returned from Brazil in triumph to
Ethiopia in December after a failed coup
1960 Primer, Norman Manley schedule a meeting with leaders of the
Rastafari movement to discuss migration of Jamaicans back to
Africa
1960 Bongo Watto Camp off 19 Street Trench Town raided by police
1961 The government sends a mission to Africa which includes 3
Rastafari: Mortimo Planno, Douglas Mack and Samuel Clayton,
this was for the purpose of studying feasibility of migration of
Jamaicans to Africa.
1961 Three Rastafari members on the back to Africa mission had a
private interview with Emperor Haile Selassie during the mission
stay in Ethiopia

1961 Mission to Africa. A supplement publication by the Daily Gleaner

July 31
1962 May. Letter to the Editor from Rastafari from Foreshore Road,
Back O Wall Moonlight City, Trench Town and Tower Hill calling
on the Primer Alexander Bustamante to remember the question
of Repatriation
1962 Police raid and dismantle the Wareika Hill Camp of the I-ngelic
House, a group of italist Nyahbinghi Rastafari
1963 On April 11th, in Coral Gardens, Montego Bay, killings blamed on
Rastafari result in a nation-wide persecution of the movement
1965 A three man delegation of the Rastafari movement
compromising of Brother Douglas Mack, Philmore Alvaranga and
Sam Clayton went on a fifteen month- tour USA Kenya Ethiopia
and Ghana, seeking help for repatriation of Rastafari from
Jamaica to Africa, a petition of 10,000 Rastafari was presented
to Haile Selassie.
1966 Emperor Haile Selassie I makes a historic visit to the Caribbean,
including Jamaica April 21st 24th. The Emperor honours
Rastafari, awarding gold medals to 13 leading brethren
1967 Emperor Haile Selassie I meets Rev. Winston Evans, Director of
the EWF, Inc. in Chicago, Feb 13th and 14th. On behalf of his
organisation Rev. Evans receives a grant reported to be 10,000
acres
1968 The Jamaica Council of Human Rights strongly protested against
the manner and circumstances of the raids the police and
military on Rev Claudius Henry and followers.
1968 Vernon Carrington, also known as Prophet Gad, founds the 12
Tribes of Israel in Kingston, Jamaica. The 12 Tribes becomes one
of the most popular Rastafari organs with an extensive
international following

1968 Walter Rodney, a Black nationalist active amongst the Rastafari,

is banned from Jamaica, October 15th, triggering widespread
student protests
1969 Ras Solomon Wolfe leaves Jamaica for Ethiopia, where he
receives the EWF administrative responsibility for the
Shashemane Land Grant from His Imperial Majesty
1970 The head and administrator of the Ethiopia Orthodox Church in
the USA Archimandrake Manfredo arrive in Jamaica on the 4TH
May to establish the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
1971 July. Prince Emmanuel Edwards together with 18 other members
seek Government Ministry aid in proposed emigration to
Ethiopia
1973 Release of The Harder They Come, a full-length Jamaican motion
picture, featuring prominent Rastafari
1974 Council of Nyahbinghi Elders formally establish the Theocratic
Government of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I
1974 The Ethiopian African International Congress moves from Davis
Lane, Kingston, to the community of Bull Bay
1975 Ras Boanerges carries the Nyahbinghi Order to Barbados in April
1975 Emperor Haile Selassie I withdraws from the world stage August
27th
1976 Prime Minister Michael Manley meets with a Council of
Nyahbinghi Elders (Judah Coptic Issemble) at 11 Welcome Ave,
Waterhouse, Kingston
1976 Prime Minister Michael Manley says it is wrong to cut Rastas
Locks
1976 Delegation of Rastafari discuss problems facing the movement
with the Governor-General Florisel Glaspole at Kings House
1976 The Ethiopian African National Congress wrote to the Security
General of the United Nations on question of the Repatriation of
black people to Africa

1976 Publication of Dread, The Rastafari of Jamaica, by Joseph

Owens, a popular text on Rastafari theology and culture, largely
in the words of Rastafari
1977 June 26, Prime Minister Michael Manley admitted that there
were police and employment discrimination against members of
the Rastafari movement in Jamaica
1977 Rastafari pilot was fired from Air Jamaica in July because he
wore a beard and dread locks
1978 Three Kingston Technical High School students were dismissed
from school in January
1978 Ras Sam Brown travels to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)
1978 Rastafari Universal Zion, a community-based organisation, is
established in the Tottenham area of London, in January
1978 Jahugliman, a Rastafari vernacular publication, is launched in
Jamaica. It later moves to the UK, under the title of Jahug
1979 Dominican Rasta seek recognition on November 3rd
1979 Jamaica daily News reported on May 23 1979 that Pinnacle was
robbed by armed bandits
1980 Rastafari celebrates the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Haile Selassie
Is Coronation. Rastafari Movement Association becomes
International Rastafari Theocratic Assembly
1980 Bob Marley performs at the Independence Day celebrations in
Zimbabwe, April 18th
1980 Rastafari Speaks, a Rastafari-produced newspaper, is launched
in Trinidad as a vehicle for news throughout the Rastafari
community
1981 Peaceful journey home of the Patriarch LP Howell in February
1981 Troding home of the reggae master the Honourable Robert
Nesta Marley, 11th May
1982 A plea for Rastafari to be recognized as a valid religion and for
Rastafari to be allowed full religious rights has being made by
the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales in February.

1982 First International Rastafari Conference held in Toronto, Canada,

July 23rd -25th
1983 Second International Rastafari Theocratic Assembly, July 18th
July 25th RITA
1984 Voice of Thunder: Dialogue with Nyahbinghi Elders, Toronto,
September 23rd October 21st. First official Nyhahbinghi Elders
mission outside the Caribbean
1984 The Ministry of Education in Jamaica challenged to state position
on Rastafari children in school
1985 Universal Rastafari Improvement Association of Tanzania sends
a mission to Jamaica, December 29th 1985 to January 28th 1986
1986 Rastafari Focus, Commonwealth Institute, London, July 14th July 27th. First International Rastafari Conference in the UK
1986 November .Rasta keeps his locks, New Yorks highest court rules
1987 Visit of Prince Dawit, grandson of His Imperial Majesty to
Jamaica and the USA, connecting with the House of Nyahbinghi
and other Rastafari communities
1987 Nyahbinghi Project, a forum for Rastafari in Britain, based at the
Yaa Asantewaa Arts Centre, is launched
1987 Centenary of Marcus Garveys birth, August 17th, is celebrated in
Jamaica with month-long island-wide Nyahbinghi celebrations
attracting international visitors
1988 The Rainbow Circle Throne Room of Jah Rastafari mission
departs Jamaica May 23rd. The House of Nyahbinghi sends a 17member delegation of Elders to New York, Baltimore,
Philadelphia and Washington DC, May-August
1989 2nd trod of The Rainbow Circle Throne Room of Jah Rastafari
visits Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York,
June-August
1990 British Government plans revealed plot to ask Emperor Haile
Selassie he is God in February
1990.Rasta can keep their locks. USA court in Washington rule
November 7th

1990 3rd trod of The Rainbow Circle Throne Room of Jah Rastafari.
Elders participate in a public programme at the American
Museum of Natural History, New York, and later release an
album Rastafari Elders, a compilation of Nyahbinghi testimony
and chants
1992 Centenary Trod to Ethiopia to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the birth of Emperor Haile Selassie I, June 28th
August 1992. The first International Assembly of Rastafari in
Ethiopia, co-ordinated by the Centenary Committee for Rastafari
based in London
1993 The first Annual Rastafari-Ethiopian cultural celebration,
Philadelphia, organised by Ras Al and Sister Kaya Selassie,
November 13th
1994 First International Gathering of Rastafari, sponsored by
ICOMRAS (International Communicators of Rastafari) in honour
of African Liberation Day and the Organisation of African Unity,
Miami, May 22nd May 26th
1995 Second International Gathering of Rastafari, sponsored by
International Rastafari Gathering Committee (ex-ICOMRAS),
Toronto, July 15th July 24th
1996 Rastafari gather in East King House Road on the100 Anniversary
of the Hon Marcus Garvey and voiced demands for Emancipation
Day August 1st to be reinstated as a public holiday
1996 International Nyahbinghi Mission to South Africa led by Ras
Boanerges, October to November
1997 Ethiopian Crown Prince Emmias Sahle-Selassie and Bekere Fikre
Selassie visit Jamaica August 16th-August 23rd
1997 First International Rastafari gathering in Guyana
1998 First International Eastern Caribbean Conference on Rastafari, in
Barbados, August 17 to August 27th. Conference resolution to
observe the birthday of Leonard Howell (June 16th) as a day of
Rastafari celebration. Passing of Sam Brown 27th August,
Barbados

1998 Emancipation 150: Trodding to Mt Zion, a Caribbean Rastafari

conference sponsored by Rastafari Livity Educational Forum,
University of the Virgin Islands, St Thomas, V.I. November 25th
29th, December 5th-6th
1998 Rastafari delegation from South Africa visits Nyahbinghi in
Britain
1999 Official opening of the Nyahbinghi Tabernacle in Shashamane,
Ethiopia, and occasion of 2 international gatherings, July 22nd to
August 5th, and November 1st to 14th
1999 From the Cross to the Throne. Rastafari Conference convened by
Mortimo Planno at the University of the West Indies August 16th
-17th
2000 Rita Marley organises massive Reggae concert in Ethiopia
2000 Jamaican Rastafari march on Kingston on Adwa Victory day,
demonstrating for legalisation of the Sacred Herb (3rd March)
2001 World Conference against Racism held in Durban, South Africa
2002 Caribbean Rastafari Organisation (CRO) holds 8th Conference in
St Martin and Anguilla May 23rd 29th
2003 South African President Thabo Mbeki was presented the keys to
the city of Kingston Jamaica
2003 Rastafari Global reasoning on the University of the West Indies
Campus (UWI) Mona
2006 Nyahbinghi National Council (NNC) established in UK
2006 March .The troding home of Rastafari Patriarch Mortimo St
George Planno, he was 76 years old
2007 Ethiopian Millennium Celebrations worldwide
2008 International Rastafari Conference, Jamaica (July) Fulfilling the
Creed
2009 September 17TH .The Millennium Council continued agitation for
Rastafari want to control their heritage of Pinnacle in St Catherine
2010 Conference on Rastafari studies launched on the University of
the West Indies (UWI) Mona on August 19

2010 Sir Roy Augier on August 19th suggested to a large Rastafari

gathering on (UWI) Mona Campus to accept Jamaica as their home
2012 July Rastafari left out of Jamaica 50th Anniversary celebration
2014 Rastafari makes case for reoccupation of Pinnacle in February
2014 Pinnacle Property Issue referred to the Land Ministry, February
8th