The group also called for assistance in the acquisition of farming machinery.
The calls were made at the commencement of a seven-day of “groundation” a festival to mark the birth of Haile Selassie I which is being observed at the Wisroc, Wismar, Linden temple.
Leader of the congregation Fiyah Lion (Darryl Dorsett) said that in the last census conducted by the government of Guyana, Rastafari was referred to as an entity of religion. “Just as we have the Diwali and the Youman Nabi, and Christmas, I and I am calling on de 23rd of July to be a national holiday; I and I can send de proclamation to parliament on the religious act. If they are doubting I and I would need to take this thing to de Caribbean Court of Justice fuh ask for Rastafari rights,” he said.
He further said that Rastafarians have been living for centuries without their names being published.
The temple at Wisroc is said to be the largest in the Caribbean and sits on over two acres of land. A visit to the temple on Friday revealed extensive farming activities by the occupants. At the time brothers and sisters of the faith had completed an all-night celebration of chanting and drumming and were gathered enjoying a meal of vegetarian chowmein.
Throughout the seven days of ‘groundation’ the nights will continue to see drumming and chanting, while day time sessions will feature interactions on the sharing of holistic medicines and organic farming. Special sessions will feature teachings on the economic growth as a nation and the need for Rastafarians to balance with the challenging times.
Fiyah Lion engaged in a lengthy discussion on the beliefs and practices of his congregation and the discipleship of Haile Selassie I. Lion who originally hails from Corentyne has been occupying the plot of land at Wisroc for more than 12 years and has gone through a number of hardships. He said that while the area was used for fellowship and farming, the dwellers have been the target for police and others who tried to evict them from the land.
He admitted that in the past a number of illegal activities took place by the way of harbouring criminals and planting of illegal groups. “I and I is diversifying in terms of school this is a new house, the wicked had to reveal themselves and they in the lake of fire. This is a new house now it’s a new church; is a new direction that I and I trodding in. I and I put away the past and those people are long gone it’s a new heaven and a new earth,” Fiyah Lion said.
He added that in everything there is good and evil but when success and good persevere the false and unwanted would be driven away. “After 12 years of perseverance it reach a time; like how de clock have 12 hours it means zero. This is a time of new beginning,” he contended.
The group said several attempts were made to claim the land legally but they met a number of stumbling blocks. However, they were firm in saying that they would not be moved from the plot of land. They are calling for cooperation and assistance in the provision of tools and machinery for farming and assured that the land would provide good yield. Already they are growing large quantities of paw paw, coconuts, cassava and citrus among other permanent and cash crops.
