Bobo Ashanti Faith Guide
An Introduction to the Order of the Bobo Shanti within the Rastafari Movement
🔴🟡⚫️ 1. Overview of Bobo Ashanti
The Bobo Shanti, also known as the Ethiopian International Congress, is one of the key mansions (orders) within the broader Rastafari movement. Founded by Prince Emmanuel Charles Edwards in the 1950s in Jamaica, the Bobo Ashanti are known for their disciplined, priestly lifestyle, structured worship, and strong commitment to repatriation and African redemption.
🧔🏿♂️ 2. Key Figures
- Prince Emmanuel Charles Edwards – Regarded as the Black Christ in the Bobo Order and leader of the priesthood
- Haile Selassie I – Seen as the King of Kings and a central figure in all Rastafari mansions
- Marcus Garvey – Honored as a prophet and forerunner who laid the foundation for African liberation
✝️ 3. Theology and Beliefs
- The Trinity in Flesh:
- Haile Selassie I (Father)
- Prince Emmanuel I (Son)
- Marcus Garvey (Prophet)
- Black divinity and the return to African royal heritage
- Belief in repatriation to Africa as part of divine destiny
- Separation from Western society (not as victims, but to preserve holiness)
📿 4. Lifestyle and Dress
- Priestly Garments: Long robes, turbans or headwraps (men and women) as a sign of holiness and separation
- Strict daily worship, including prayer, psalms, and hymns
- Sabbath Observance: Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, kept as a holy time of rest and worship
- Ital Living: Strict vegan diet, no alcohol, drugs, or processed foods
- Modesty and Purity: Gender separation in rituals, emphasis on dignity and clean behavior
🕍 5. Sacred Practices
- Daily Service: Conducted in tabernacle (temple), including prayer, chanting, and reasoning
- Offerings and Psalms: Read daily, often out loud in structured rotations
- Feast Days: Honoring dates related to Haile Selassie, Prince Emmanuel, and Marcus Garvey
- Community Living: Many Bobo live in communes (like Bobo Hill in Bull Bay, Jamaica)
📜 6. Core Values
- Discipline – Order, timekeeping, and clean living are emphasized
- Holiness – Dress, thought, and behavior must reflect the sacred
- Justice – Advocating for reparations, reparatory justice, and human rights
- Separation – Not isolation, but spiritual self-governance
🗝️ 7. Common Phrases and Meanings
- “Give thanks and praise” – Expression of gratitude and reverence
- “Holy Emmanuel I Selassie I Jah Rastafari” – Sacred salutation honoring the trinity
- “Blessed love” – Greeting of peace and unity
- “Priest and Prophet is I” – Affirmation of one’s divine role in the order
📘 Suggested Scriptures and Resources
- Psalms – Read daily in order; foundation of Bobo prayers
- The Holy Piby – African-centered religious text used by some members
- Kebra Negast – Historical text connecting Ethiopian monarchy to biblical lineage
- Writings of Marcus Garvey – Especially on African repatriation and self-reliance
🌍 Application in Re-entry and Chaplaincy Settings
For Rasta inmates or returning citizens of the Bobo Ashanti order, spiritual support must include:
- Respect for Sabbath practices
- Access to head coverings and robes
- Ital food options
- Space for daily prayer and scripture reading
- Recognition of Prince Emmanuel in spiritual materials
Contact for Support & Clarification: Sanctuary of the Rastafarian Order (SOTRO)
Email: support@jahlove,ca
Web: www.jahlove.ca
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