/IPS BULLETIN OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS/ SIERRA LEONE: Rastafarians’ Faith Fails To Keep Critics At Bay

By Lansana Fofana Reprint | | Print |

Lansana Fofana

FREETOWN, May 18 1997 (IPS) - Rain and tough anti-drug security measures dampened celebrations last week to mark the anniversary of the death of the acknowledged king of reggae – Bob Marley.

Marley died of cancer in Miami, Florida on May 11, 1981 and to mark the day, the “12 Tribes of Israel Rastafarian Movement” and more than 10 youth groups braved a heavy downpout to celebrate the life of Marley through his music and that of other popular local bands.

A heavy security presence through a further dam,per on proceedings as authorities sought to keep a strict check on the use of drugs and the outbreak of violence which had tainted previous ‘Marley Nite’ celebrations in the past three years.

Anti-drug and religious organisations have been calling for a ban on the celebrations, and this year sent a petition to the government to call off the festivities.

One such group, known as the International Organisation of Good Templers (IOGT) based here, charged that youths often use ‘Marley Nite’ to indulge in heavy drug abuse and violence.

“It is a known fact that May is the time drug addicts, criminals and other hoodlums pollute the streets with all sorts of drugs,” said a spokesperson for the IOGT. “For these youths, that day is legal for rampant marijuana and crack-cocaine intake.”

Religious leaders, especially those belonging to the Muslim Federation Against Drug Abuse and the Islamic Society of Purists, echoed this view. They have been part of efforts to get the government to ban the annual Marley festival, declaring it was a green light to youth to smoke marijuana and use other drugs.

Drug abuse is on the increase in this West African nation. According to some observers, the use of drugs became more rampant during the country’s five-year-old civil conflict.

“I think it is reasonable for the so-called ‘Marley Nite’ to be outlawed. We’ve seen how this night is transformed into a drug fiesta and violent behaviour,” said Dr. Edward Nahim a psychiatrist.

According to the psychiatrist, the majority of mental cases at the government-owned Kissy Mental Home are victims of drug abuse. Following ‘Marley Nite’, more cases are usually referred to the mental institution, he said. “The outcome of the drug craze leads some people to the mental home for counselling, because they lose their senses in the spree,” Nahim added.

But members of the Rastafarian movement here argue that this is no reason tostop them from exercising their right to celebrate the death of one of their heroes.

The 12 Tribes of the Israel Rastafarian Movement sent a letter of protest to the authorities about the attempts to block what they consider as “a Rastaman’s must” to celebrate May 11.

“They can’t stop us from thinking about Bob Marley. Rasta is a religion and it (‘Marley Nite’) is a form of paying tribute to a Rasta King and Messiah,” said Ras Oray Simeon, leader of the 12 Tribes.

Mahmoud Jahman of the 12 Tribes said that people should be allowed to do whatever they want on ‘Marley Nite’. “This is stupid. How can they ban ‘Marley Nite’? We must be allowed to commemorate his day (May 11) without hindrance,” he said.

Jahman however admitted that drugs are part of the celebrations. “We would surely smoke weed wherever on the night and violently resist…if they (the authorities) try to arrest us for smoking ganja,” he added.