my history lesson
Jamaica was lovely as usual and I didn't want to leave. My parents are trying to get their house built on the hill where jah-paul was born. They call it marley hill...sweet. I didn't go to the mineral bath because my mom said that the water would be way too hot for me to take and I'm sure she was right. So I did my typical beach trip but this time I got to go up to pinnacle. For those of you who don't know this is the land the Leonard Percival Howell purchased for the Rastafarians he is considered to be the first Rasta.
Pinnacle is located in Sligoville, St. Catherine, Jamaica. It consists of over 500 acres of land, (part of which over looks Kingston/St. Andrew). In the late 1930's Howell took over ownership/occupancy from previous owner Mr. Albert Chang, who he had to pay in CASH, in order to occupy the same. Howell was financially resourceful and independent. He ddin't use money for personal fulfillment but instead he led a humble life in Pinnacle committed to his race.
During the late 1930's when the famous "uprising" took place in St. Thomas, Jamaica, many ex-slaves went suffering racism, oppression, inadequate living conditions and hunger. Pinnacle became the safe-haven for thousands of blacks who desired to live and work communally in Unity. Under Howell's leadership, Pinnacle was transformed into one of the largest self-reliant/economically empowered communities in Jamaica. Several farmers lived and worked in Pinnacle, producing a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, yams, banana, cassava, corn, coconut and many other products. Ganja, a culture adapted from East Indians (River Ganges) was grown mainly for spiritual meditation, worshiping and medicine. The Rastafarian at Pinnacle, built a food storage for what was called, "preparing for the tough days". Many skilled craftsmen and women, nurses and other professionals shared their faith and lived there under the motto, "One God, One Aim and One Destiny".
Between 1941 and 1957, Pinnacle was raided several times. Each time the authorities would take away cash money banked in the community that added to thousands of dollars under the claim that it was money earned from selling Ganja. Howell detested the exploitation of the Herb "Ganja" and he was reputed for walking the streets of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and other parishes giving money to the poor and children. He didn't give-in to the harassment, beatings, numerous arrests and incarcerations. He went back to live in Pinnacle upon his release from prison. During the last raid on Pinnacle, the police burned to the ground homes belonging to thousands of Rastafarians. Included in the fire were furnishings, personal items and clothing. Having no place to live and their leader in jail, most Rastafarians relocated throughout Kingston, St. Catherine, Clarendon and St. Thomas. That was the beginning of the Rastafari dispersion and relocation in groups of churches and mansions.
In the 1970's, a small flock of Rastafarian elders took refuge in Tredegar Park, St. Catherine continued to support the teachings of Howell until his death in 1981. Until today, the Rastafarian of Pinnacle were never, compensated for their loss of property, homes, lives and humiliation suffered. It is said that Howell had been arrested, incarcerated and was sent to Jamaica's Mental Institution over (50) fifty times. At one meeting, Howell was noted as having said that Mr. Neville N. Ashenheim, a prominent Lawyer of Jewish background, argued for the Bill of Rights in terms of protecting property rights and that property could not be confiscated without adequate compenstation. "At Emancipation the planter were adequately compensated for "freeing" the slaves, but I, Leonard Howell was never compensated for Pinnacle and the crimes committed against me and the Rastafarian people."
During the 1980's, the Jamaican government sold off most of this land at Pinnacle to foreign and private investors. Pinnacle is now sub-divided and being sold off by "The St. Jago Hills Development, Ltd." located at 20 Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. The have got hold of Pinnacle Estates, St. Catehrine (the first Rastafarian Free Slave Community) and they are selling/sub-dividing the land (over 500 acres). Last November 2006, The Leonard P. Howell Foundation and other personnel (collective) had a meeting with the then Prime Minister - Portia Simpson to help restore Pinnacle and make it a Rastafari Cultural Center. In addition, last June 2007, Howell Earth-day celebration was held at Pinnacle. The developers (Ms. Lois Sherwood and her brother-directors of St. Jago Hills) are now suing "The Rastafarian Nation, 1st Order of Nyahbinghi Theocracy, Leonard P. Howell Foundation, Ras Lion and Ras Howie for possession of the Pinnacle site and land. The Law firm of "Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeona and Co." is having a hearing on November 27, 2007 in the Magistrate's Court in Spanish Town. We have retained a Rastafari/brother and friend Mr. Everton Bird, an attorney at law to represent the L.P.H. Foundation, and Mr. Barrington Frankson to represent the Rastafari Nation. We would like for all who read this document to lend your support by calling or emailing the Prime Minister's Office.
It is pathetic to me that the Jamaican tourist board tries to "sell" rasta as part of tourism when in fact the government has tried to keep the secrets of their own distruction of the community. Not one true rasta sees that money.
When I was on that hill there was so much power and tradition it was like standing on holy ground. I met Mama Girtie who is the youngest daughter of Howell and in her court testimony she describes how the police came up to pinnacle to kill her father. At the time I believe was in his 80's and they came to cut out his tounge. She was crying terribly because no one bothered to ask her about that day until court. Howell fought off the men and had huge gashes all over his arms. Everyone who looks to Jamaica for this cultural experience should know that the Jamaican government has tried to annilate the rasta's by kicking them off their land and cutting off their locks. It is just sad to me that they would try to erase a culture and still claim that bob marley was the greatest jamaican that lived...yeah its a government cover up because they tried to kill him and were unsuccessful. It makes you think about other reggage artist who just all of a sudden were killed because they preached the same message.
Jamaica is at a turning point because the UN has looked to Jamaica to open the books of the slave trade in spanishtown and kingston and they are finding out some interesting facts. The Jewish population were part of the slave trade buying and selling. We can no longer as a nation of "educated" people just turn our heads away from the biggest holcoust of blacks everywhere yet history books seem to brush over slavery as if it never occured. All the wealth that American, Britian, Spain and other countries were built on the back of Blacks and yet when you talk about repatriations people look at you like your crazy! Is it that crazy when wealth has been passed from generation to generation? The time is coming that if you don't know what's going on it will be dangerous. I intend to stay well informed but the tides are changing and it won't pay to be ignorant. If you want to know the truth then read and research. College didn't teach me these things. You want to learn about black His-story you need to ask black people.
Pinnacle is located in Sligoville, St. Catherine, Jamaica. It consists of over 500 acres of land, (part of which over looks Kingston/St. Andrew). In the late 1930's Howell took over ownership/occupancy from previous owner Mr. Albert Chang, who he had to pay in CASH, in order to occupy the same. Howell was financially resourceful and independent. He ddin't use money for personal fulfillment but instead he led a humble life in Pinnacle committed to his race.
During the late 1930's when the famous "uprising" took place in St. Thomas, Jamaica, many ex-slaves went suffering racism, oppression, inadequate living conditions and hunger. Pinnacle became the safe-haven for thousands of blacks who desired to live and work communally in Unity. Under Howell's leadership, Pinnacle was transformed into one of the largest self-reliant/economically empowered communities in Jamaica. Several farmers lived and worked in Pinnacle, producing a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, yams, banana, cassava, corn, coconut and many other products. Ganja, a culture adapted from East Indians (River Ganges) was grown mainly for spiritual meditation, worshiping and medicine. The Rastafarian at Pinnacle, built a food storage for what was called, "preparing for the tough days". Many skilled craftsmen and women, nurses and other professionals shared their faith and lived there under the motto, "One God, One Aim and One Destiny".
Between 1941 and 1957, Pinnacle was raided several times. Each time the authorities would take away cash money banked in the community that added to thousands of dollars under the claim that it was money earned from selling Ganja. Howell detested the exploitation of the Herb "Ganja" and he was reputed for walking the streets of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and other parishes giving money to the poor and children. He didn't give-in to the harassment, beatings, numerous arrests and incarcerations. He went back to live in Pinnacle upon his release from prison. During the last raid on Pinnacle, the police burned to the ground homes belonging to thousands of Rastafarians. Included in the fire were furnishings, personal items and clothing. Having no place to live and their leader in jail, most Rastafarians relocated throughout Kingston, St. Catherine, Clarendon and St. Thomas. That was the beginning of the Rastafari dispersion and relocation in groups of churches and mansions.
In the 1970's, a small flock of Rastafarian elders took refuge in Tredegar Park, St. Catherine continued to support the teachings of Howell until his death in 1981. Until today, the Rastafarian of Pinnacle were never, compensated for their loss of property, homes, lives and humiliation suffered. It is said that Howell had been arrested, incarcerated and was sent to Jamaica's Mental Institution over (50) fifty times. At one meeting, Howell was noted as having said that Mr. Neville N. Ashenheim, a prominent Lawyer of Jewish background, argued for the Bill of Rights in terms of protecting property rights and that property could not be confiscated without adequate compenstation. "At Emancipation the planter were adequately compensated for "freeing" the slaves, but I, Leonard Howell was never compensated for Pinnacle and the crimes committed against me and the Rastafarian people."
During the 1980's, the Jamaican government sold off most of this land at Pinnacle to foreign and private investors. Pinnacle is now sub-divided and being sold off by "The St. Jago Hills Development, Ltd." located at 20 Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. The have got hold of Pinnacle Estates, St. Catehrine (the first Rastafarian Free Slave Community) and they are selling/sub-dividing the land (over 500 acres). Last November 2006, The Leonard P. Howell Foundation and other personnel (collective) had a meeting with the then Prime Minister - Portia Simpson to help restore Pinnacle and make it a Rastafari Cultural Center. In addition, last June 2007, Howell Earth-day celebration was held at Pinnacle. The developers (Ms. Lois Sherwood and her brother-directors of St. Jago Hills) are now suing "The Rastafarian Nation, 1st Order of Nyahbinghi Theocracy, Leonard P. Howell Foundation, Ras Lion and Ras Howie for possession of the Pinnacle site and land. The Law firm of "Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeona and Co." is having a hearing on November 27, 2007 in the Magistrate's Court in Spanish Town. We have retained a Rastafari/brother and friend Mr. Everton Bird, an attorney at law to represent the L.P.H. Foundation, and Mr. Barrington Frankson to represent the Rastafari Nation. We would like for all who read this document to lend your support by calling or emailing the Prime Minister's Office.
It is pathetic to me that the Jamaican tourist board tries to "sell" rasta as part of tourism when in fact the government has tried to keep the secrets of their own distruction of the community. Not one true rasta sees that money.
When I was on that hill there was so much power and tradition it was like standing on holy ground. I met Mama Girtie who is the youngest daughter of Howell and in her court testimony she describes how the police came up to pinnacle to kill her father. At the time I believe was in his 80's and they came to cut out his tounge. She was crying terribly because no one bothered to ask her about that day until court. Howell fought off the men and had huge gashes all over his arms. Everyone who looks to Jamaica for this cultural experience should know that the Jamaican government has tried to annilate the rasta's by kicking them off their land and cutting off their locks. It is just sad to me that they would try to erase a culture and still claim that bob marley was the greatest jamaican that lived...yeah its a government cover up because they tried to kill him and were unsuccessful. It makes you think about other reggage artist who just all of a sudden were killed because they preached the same message.
Jamaica is at a turning point because the UN has looked to Jamaica to open the books of the slave trade in spanishtown and kingston and they are finding out some interesting facts. The Jewish population were part of the slave trade buying and selling. We can no longer as a nation of "educated" people just turn our heads away from the biggest holcoust of blacks everywhere yet history books seem to brush over slavery as if it never occured. All the wealth that American, Britian, Spain and other countries were built on the back of Blacks and yet when you talk about repatriations people look at you like your crazy! Is it that crazy when wealth has been passed from generation to generation? The time is coming that if you don't know what's going on it will be dangerous. I intend to stay well informed but the tides are changing and it won't pay to be ignorant. If you want to know the truth then read and research. College didn't teach me these things. You want to learn about black His-story you need to ask black people.