The House of Rastafari Intermansions Bahamas Inc. is hosting an event in honor of women in the African Diaspora this Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the Castle, Westridge, Nassau, Bahamas at 3pm. The inaugural Empress Menen Royal Fashion Show, Tea Party & Awards will highlight the important role that women play in shaping a progressive, peaceful nation, in nurturing the children and the community, and in leading with grace and compassion.
Honorees include: Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ann Marie Davis; Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training; Senator Dr. Jacinta Higgs, Akhepran International Academy President; Hon. Empress Veronica Ellis, designer for the fashion show; Empress Lillimae Duncanson; Empress Valerie Tecla Smith, designer for the fashion show; Empress Marilyn Braynen; Empress Colleen Carter; Empress Philippa Rahming – Adderley, daughter of Rev. Dr. Phillip A. Rahming; Empress Pauline Lewis; Empress Cecil Babbs; Empress Nadia Bethel; Empress Cherene Carey; and Mother Thompson Joseph.
Minister Hanna Martin will give the keynote address on the event theme: “Honoring our Empresses within the African Diaspora”. The House of Rastafari thought it pertinent to honor the women of the Diaspora for their efforts to promote unity and culture, and for the example they set of virtuous living.
Members of the Rastafari movement regard Empress Menen Asfaw I, wife of Emperor Haile Selassie I, as their greatest role model and standard bearer of how a woman should be. This event celebrates the 133rd anniversary of the day of her birth on March 25, 1981.
A personal advisor to her husband, Empress Menen helped lead Ethiopia into the 20th Century. Her contributions to churches, schools, and hospitals are widely recognised as unparalleled by any other woman in Ethiopian history. She was a champion of many causes, such as building churches, schools, hospitals, and handicraft centres. She gave her estate to orphans whose parents were killed in war, and to freed slaves. She opened Siwaswe Birhan School, catering to children who were blind or could not read or write.
Vegan and traditional pastries and a wide assortment of natural herbal teas will be served at the event, courtesy of the award-winning Akhepran International Academy culinary team, led by their teacher, Chef Amunet Eneas. Guests will be entertained by a fashion show with original designs by Empress Veronica “Ronnie” Ellis of Freeport, Grand Bahama and Empress Valerie Techlar John, of Trinidadian heritage. The fashion show will have segments including children’s African apparel, families walking the catwalk together, and a special segment showcasing designs for women of all ages, shapes and sizes. All garments are considered royal and appropriate for young ladies and women to wear as they live principled and peaceful lives. The garments displayed in the fashion show will be available for purchase.
Performing artists Bobo Ike, Jah Doctrine and Jah Torah will also entertain the crowd, along with poems by Ras Copper and Empress Ashranique Darise Jones. Princess Pratt will perform a moving drumming tribute to women, and Empress Marilyn Braynen will do a special libation honoring the ancestors. Also performing will be King David Steel Pan Band, and a tribute will be delivered by Ambassador Priest Rithmond McKinney of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (EABIC). Daniel #1 Band of the EABIC will also lead a hymn selection, and the event will wrap up with a royal procession and drumming by the order of the Nyahbinghi.
Chairman of House of Rastafari Ras Copeland Smith will host the event, along with media mogul Empress Felicity Darville. Tickets are $30 and are available by contacting: Ras Copeland Smith (242) 814-6847, Priest Diamond Ethelbert Harrison 815-8147, Empress Colleen Carter 428-4461, or houseofrastafaribahamas@gmail.com.
Source: Felicity Darville
