A weeklong celebration marking the inaugural Virgin Islands Rastafari Day wrapped up Saturday on St. Croix, honoring the legacy, resilience, and spiritual traditions of the Rastafari community.
The official observance, held Wednesday, July 23, followed a proclamation signed by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., which not only establishes Rastafari Day but also includes an official apology to the community for decades of oppression and religious persecution.
The celebration began with a Nyahbinghi Opening Ceremony on Tuesday at Serenity Nest, followed by a Rastafari Cultural Day on Wednesday at General Buddhoe Park. On Saturday, festivities continued with a motorcade and another Cultural Day at the Agriculture Department Fairgrounds.
At the cultural events, attendees gathered to share music, testimonies, and spiritual fellowship. On Saturday, local vendors showcased their products while live bands filled the air with vibrant sounds, creating a joyful and reflective atmosphere as the community celebrated under the evening sun.
Similar events also took place on St. Thomas and St. John.
A key aspect of the governor’s proclamation acknowledges the Rastafari community’s long-standing knowledge of the cannabis plant, particularly its health benefits and its sacramental use in spiritual ceremonies. The proclamation emphasizes that cannabis “brings them closer to the Almighty and His creation,” and aligns with Act No. 8680, signed into law on Jan. 18, 2023, which legalized the sacramental use of cannabis in the Virgin Islands.
“The stone that the builders refused has become the head cornerstone, and the main thread that holds the fabric of our community together. Although we were persecuted and prosecuted, we were still able to bring positive vibrations and help to lift the consciousness of our community on all levels,” said Tafari Tzaddi, president of the V.I. Rastafari Sacramental Cannabis Council Inc. and a minister in the Theocracy Reign of the Ancient Ivine Order of the Nyahbinghi.
The week of events was hosted by VIRSCC Inc., in collaboration with the Theocracy Reign of the Ancient Ivine Order of the Nyahbinghi and the Virgin Islands Rastafari community, in celebration of both Rastafari Day and the 133rd Earth Light (birthday) of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
