From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:ZAMBIA: RASTAFARIANS JOIN ANTI-AIDS CAMPAIGNS
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 23:06:32 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1993, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Area: Africa, east
Title: ZAMBIA: RASTAFARIANS JOIN ANTI-AIDS CAMPAIGNS


lusaka, jan 19 (ips/jowie mwiinga) -- the growing rastafarian
community in zambia has represented little more than a bunch of
misguided young men and women, lured by the attractions of
reggae music and marijuana-smoking to embrace the tenets of a
bizarre religion.

with their dreadlocked hair, a free consumption of marijuana
(for some of them) and general disdain for social norms,
rastafarians have always been something of outcasts in this
southern african nation.

in the past their efforts at community involvement, which
included plans to set up a production unit for the unemployed
youths, and the establishment of a recording studio failed
due to lack of support.

now, however, zambia's rastafarians are on the brink of
acquiring, if not respectability, at least acceptance. they
have at last found a constructive outlet for their energies.

about 30 rastafarians recently reported at a non-governmental
project fighting the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (aids).
the project directs its efforts at the young.

the result has been a new approach to the fight against the
epidemic.

rastafarian-tailored anti-aids initiatives are spiced by live
reggae performances, drama and a tinge of pan-africanist and
religious propaganda.

''aids coulda stop jah ridim. so let it fall like de babylon
system a go fall'', says a rastafarian anti-aids brochure.

''jah ridim'' is the movement of the universal black person
and ''babylon'' represents western imperialism.

a large part of the rastafarians' anti-aids initiative
includes efforts to erode inherent prejudices against the
afflicted.

aids is no longer a novelty in zambia. the ministry of
health says at least 25 percent of the urban young men and women
are hiv-positive. but the aids victims are
often scorned or shunned. (more/ips)


zambia: rastafarians (2)

the rastafarians' anti-aids campaign attempts to use the
concept of oneness -- the starting point of their religion -- to
convince society to accept aids patients in their midst.

''i man brethren, sistren, coulda be infected already and
dem need to be cured and loved. as rastas our duty is de hands
of charity to dem'', says another brochure in the gold, red and
green colours of the rastafarian flag.

the rastafarians' anti-aids initiative is most visible at
the annual bob marley memorial concerts, hosted in the zambian
by veteran musician brian chengala.

during these concerts, the rastafarians linked to the anti-
aids project distribute free condoms and aids awareness
t-shirts.

a nationwide awareness tour by reggae artistes is lined up
for the near future.

''we intend to teach people throughout the country about the
dangers of aids through music and drama'', explains ras zanji b,
a reggae artiste and community liaison manager at the anti-aids
project.

success of the rastafarians' anti-aids initiative remains to
be seen. but there are indications the social acceptability they
have so long aspired for may soon be coming.

''i have never known rastas to be a useful lot in society. if
this the beginning of their social awareness and concern, it is
a welcome development'', says joseph chilaizya, senior reporter
at the independent 'weekend standard'. (end/ips/jm/apc/93)
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