The Rastafari Sistren Collective presents:
The 127th Earthlight Celebration of the Life of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Menen Asfaw
“All women of the world should struggle to bring peace and justice.” HIM Empress Menen Asfaw
Saturday March 27th, 2010 10am-9pm
Howard University
Ernest Just Hall Biology Builiding Auditorium
2400 Sixth Street NW Washington DC
10am-9pm FREE
Session 1: Rastafari Women Only 10am-2pm
Session 2: Rastafari Youth program 4pm-5pm
Session 3: Food & Film 5pm-9pm
Session I RASTAFARI WOMEN ONLY 10am-2pm
Mothers & Dawtas of Rastafari! Come mek we reason! i Join our distinguished panel of Rastafari Women Elders in a private session to reason and take action steps on the issues facing the Rastafari Movement today.
SESSION II: Rastafari Basic Academy Youth Workshop 4pm-5pm
Youth will learn more about the works of Empress Menen, participate in Nyahbinghi Youth Ises, and create an arts & crafts project.
SESSION III : Food & Film Open to the Public 5pm-9pm
Cuisine prepared by Rastafari is worth travelling for! Support the Rastafari Sistren Collective and buy dinner for the family (at an affordable price) Ital/Vegan, Fresh, and Delicious!!!
Afterwards join us for the premier viewing of the newly released documentary “Rastafari Women Today: The Anthology pt.1″ View the film, and join in on the reasoning. All are welcome.
Elders Panel from the houses of Nyahbinghi, 12 Tribes of Israel, BoBo Shanti, and EWF:
Keynote Speaker: Rastafari Elder Nana Farika Berhane
Rastafari Elder Mama Bubbles
Sister Valerie Philpotts
Sister Ima Ethiopia
Sister Iyaughta Iyaddis
Sister Dera Tompkins
Sister Nyah Waifer
Program is FREE and donations are welcome
Support InI Sunset Marketplace vendors
Bring the family for an Ital Dinner ($ affordable $)
For more info:
email: dcrastasistren@gmail.com
206-309-9043 info line
Emperor Haile Selassie I’s wife Empress Menen, born March 25, 1883,
was devoted to serving the people (especially women) of Ethiopia.
Empress Menen is often referred to as Queen Omega and Mother of
Creation.
“She is a kind woman; in her nature, she is a total stranger to cruelty and offensiveness. We have lived since our marriage through years of good and ill fortune by sharing together our happiness as well as our sorrows.” HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31 v10-12
Inspired by “The main projections of King Alpha & Queen Omega Daughters” compiled by Rastafari Elder Mother Ina, and Rastafari Elder Mother Farika Berhane, the Rastafari Sistren Collective in Washington DC is honored to call InI Sistren from the ends of the earth to let your beautiful voices be heard.
Let us honor Empress Menen by answering the itinual question: Who are YOU? What are you doing to uplift yourself …your youth …family …your bredren & sistren …community …InI elders …the hungry …the needy …the shelterless …the sick …Africa…fulfill the Rastafari Creed? What action plans are necessary to move forward in these times. What legacy do we plan to leave for our children?
EMPRESS MENEN SPEAKS:
“I am pleased to present my speech to all world women.
When Italy conquered our people and country the world women Association supported us to settle peace and freedom. We are very happy to express our deep feeling for the association.
When I am speaking now in order to be understood to all countries my daughter princess Tsehaye translated my speech into English language.
Princess Tsehaye made speech as follows. During this time Italy conquered us difficulty unjustly and world women should hear their voice.
Even though world women are living in different countries with different climate, all women are interrelated with the same will and objectives.
War is distress and trouble of mankind, all world women are in different countries, different race, religion the act of violence and war victimized their husbands, brothers and children. War is a destruction of the family and can make people immigrant. So women are against war.
We know that all Italian mothers and barren women may worry about the war, since war is good for nothing. Therefore, all women found in the world should prevent the war before it brings trouble and distress. They should collaborate their voice and request to avoid the war before the bloodshed comes on both sides.
Ethiopia do not think to act the violence conflict, here wish is to maintain peace. Ethiopia tried to settle the conflict peacefully in early months. In every aspect Ethiopia has done here best. So we are mentally free.
Ethiopian people welcomed any foreigners, guests who came to work peacefully and innocently, Ethiopian people good hospitality to foreigners has been narrated in the history of the world. However, one state is which is neighbor to Ethiopia is trying to control and govern. Ethiopia is always on the line of peace, while the rival state is looking only its own interest.
The enemy deployed its army and based around our country to kill our women’s husbands, children, brothers. Our people live working peacefully being God fearing but the enemy is trying to devastate the wealth of the country and destroy our family in the name of modernization.
We pray to God not to face such kind of distress and destruction if the so called modernization brings a big trouble.
Hence, the association which is established for the purpose of peace by world women may exert influence to bring peace and stability. We don’t hesitate that world women Association may contribute a lot to settle this conflict peacefully.
We pray to god that the Association to accomplish its mission. We hope the act of the Association may bring fruitful result to preserve peace and security in our country.
Nonetheless, if the war is started, we women should treat wounded soldiers and minimize the trouble of the war.
Women who are living all over the world who stand for peace may help us during the war time. We know that these women assist the sacrificed patriot’s family.
All women of the world should struggle to bring peace and justice. Government officials may guided on the line of God, we pray for this and you may collaborate with us.”
Empress Menen Asfaw
