One of the things that drew me to Ethiopia was the Rastafarian community. For Rastas, Ethiopia is Zion, the motherland. I heard that there’s no serious “Rasta activity” in Ethiopia, but I was curious enough to check it out.

Rastafari Place in Ethiopia

Haile Sellasie I granted the Rastafaris land in Shashamene, about 300 kilometers south of the capital. But like us Jews, most Rastas stay in the diaspora: Jamaica, Britain and elsewhere. 

Lonely Planet scared me about the visit: it says that Shashmene is a hostile town, and that there’s nothing to see there. Most of the people that visited this town were passing by (it’s a main junction), and confirmed that the town isn’t pleasant.

Well, I can’t say anything about the city center, since the bus dropped me off straight at the “Jamaica” community, north of town. What I can say, is that visiting the community was very interesting, and not scary at all.

First I visited the Black Lion museum. An old man showed me around, stopping his guidance from time to time to praise Jah. It was both amusing and interesting.

Guide in the Black Lion museum

Afterwards, I continued to the community nearby, seeking some food. I was welcomed by very nice people, that didn’t try to sell me drugs (contrary to LP again).

Sister Bev Reuben, originally from England, told me about their agricultural projects: growing organic vegetables, fruits and spices. They donate some of the products to a number of other projects going on in Shashamene.

While eating Caribean spicy beans with rice, she told me how she felt discriminated as a teenager in the 70s, in England. Becoming a Rasta was for her a way of gaining an identity. She feels at home in Ethiopia, although still being Faranji – foreigner. If anyone is interested in more information about the community and the projects, you’re welcome to contat her through this mail or by phone: 0251 912 06 64 72.

After another short walk around, I got back to Addis, happy that I got the chance to visit the community, and sad that most travelers skip it.

Goodbye Rastas

More pictures from Shashemene’s Rastafarian community.