| About the Rasta Earth Festival |
|
Rasta Earth Festival is a celebration of His Majesty Haile-I Selassie-I's Earthday (Birthday) and Emancipation Day which takes place from the 22nd of July to the 1st of August 2011 at Judah Square.
7 days of church and 3 days of music and art exhibition. The 7days of Nyahbingh (church) start at 9AM. The day of Observing is particularly sacred and we ask all in attendance to Observe the following:
Dress code is strictly Hola(Holy) Sistas: Not permitted into the church during their first 7 days of their menstrual cycle. All women must be clothed in either a long skirt or dress – longs/trousers/jeans are not permitted. Brothers: No head covering.
The festival includes 3 days of Music Splash for which there is an entrance fee of R40.00 per Adult R10.00 per Child and Free to Children under 3 years. Doors open at 19h00pm. Stalls are available at R100.00 per night.
The festival concludes with the Emancipation Celebration, Celebrating the day of Emancipation (the Abolition of Slavery). We start the day with dancing and singing old traditional songs and feeding the people with hot chocolate and bread. People wear traditional dress – women in bandanas and aprons. The night before there is throwing of rice and eggnogg. This is a family day, open to the public from 10AM and people are encouraged to celebrate their freedom through any way – some cry, some dance other sing/ tell stories recite poems; this is a time open for expression.
TOURISTS – bring your cameras and come enjoy and learn what Emancipation day is all about. |