INFORMATION PACKAGE
ALL AFRICA RASTAFARI GATHERING 2018
Warmest Greetings from the Land of Daily Miracles,
The Shashemene community is readying itself to welcome the Rastafari Nation to the 2nd All Africa Rastafari Gathering from November 1-11, 2018.
Once again the Gathering will begin with three nights of Nyahbinghi Ises for the 88th anniversary of the coronation of Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen, and the Twelve Tribes of Israel celebration of the birthday of Prophet Gad on November 1. These events, as well as those on the last two days of the Gathering, are open to all.
From Monday 5-Friday 9, there will be a Trade Conference for Rastafari who is resident in Africa who are engaged in the intra-Africa trade or who have plans and proposals to do so. The objective of the Conference is to strengthen the business aspects of the trade so there is a workshop format for knowledge sharing and refining business plans and proposals. Emphasis will be placed, not on numbers in attendance but on preparing for and advancing into the business of trading in Africa.
After the Trade Conference, there will be a Family Fun Day and two Bazaar Days on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11. The requirement for the Bazaar is that the goods must be Made in Africa by Africans.
The Gathering will close with sealing Nyahbinghi Ises on Sunday 11.
All delegates are expected to meet their own expenses for travel and accommodation.
It is very important that you provide your airline arrival and departure times early so that you can be met at Bole International Airport and transported to Shashemene. It is an approximately 5-hour long journey and will add to your expenses if the Shashemene shuttle is missed.
Those traveling by road are also asked to indicate your anticipated arrival day in Shashemene. Please share this information as widely as possible as you seek the support you may need to be in Shashemene for The All Africa Rastafari Gathering.
Heartically yours
Coordinating Committee,
All Africa Rastafari Gathering
CONTACT NAMES AND ADDRESSES
Ras Joseph Anderson, Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Cel.+251 (0) 973 586 915
Sistar Ital, Treasurer,
Email: [email protected]
Cel.+251 (0) 936 460 956
Sis Ijahnya Christian, Cor. Sec.
Email: [email protected]
Cel.+251 (0) 921 929 241 (after September 2018)
Ras Reuben Kush, Gr. Trans. Officer,
Email: [email protected]
Cel.+251 (0) 911 123 034
PLEASE COPY ALL EMAIL TO [email protected]
VISAS – With the exception of Kenya, citizens of all other countries must obtain visas prior to their arrival in Addis Ababa. Please let us know if you need an invitation letter to support your application for a visa to enter Ethiopia for the purpose of attending the All Africa Rastafari Gathering.
BOARDING & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS – Please check before leaving your country to obtain anything needed to enter Ethiopia. For those traveling by air, be sure to check your airline’s requirements for boarding the flight. Those traveling by road are similarly advised to find out what is needed to cross the borders of the different countries en route.
IMMIGRATION – For Immigration purposes, you may use the following address. Nyahbinghi Tabernacle Center, Kebele 0.1, Shashemene, Ethiopia Tel. +251 (0) 461 103 286
➢ REGISTRATION – Registration will be open from 2nd July and 28th September 2018. A Registration Fee of USD25 or the equivalent of 675 Ethiopian Birr will be paid by each participant to cover the costs of ground transportation and meals (breakfast & lunch) during the gathering. However, only delegates engaged in intra-Africa trade and those who present business plans and proposals will be registered for the Trade Conference, which is a working session.
➢ It was agreed to facilitate 25 seats for the diaspora, at an increased registration fee of $50USD. These will have to register ahead of the conference before the 31st August while ones from the continent are encouraged to register before the 28th September; everyone will have to fulfill the same conditions to register.
Use of Money Gram and Western Union money transfer services is acceptable.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION – This will include airport arrivals and departures, and transportation to and from Shashemene.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION – Participants will meet all costs of travel to and from Ethiopia and will make their own arrangements for accommodation.
Those using Ethiopian Airlines will benefit from discounted fares if they are planning further travel within Ethiopia. Flights are also available from Addis Ababa to Hawassa, which is less than one hour away from Shashemene.
RESERVATIONS – Make reservations early to secure better prices for airfares and accommodation and be sure to check with your airline for group rates.
ACCOMMODATION – A sample range of prices for available accommodation is listed below. (27 ET Birr to 1 USD)
Lily of the Valley Hotel (WiFi), Single rooms (double bed) (325ETB/night);
Double rooms (2 double beds) (500ETB/night);
Twin rooms (2 single rooms, 500ETB/night)
1 family room (625ETB/night)
Contact Sister Almaz + 251 (0) 984944740
Sister Madge’s rooms (only tent space now available)
Ras Lumumba’s rooms (breakfast included, Sudanese food available, 1 room sleeps 4 for 200 birr each)
Cel.091 140 4644, Email: [email protected]
Zion Train Lodge (breakfast included, flexible sleeping arrangements,
Camping space (120ETB/night, tent not included),
3 single rooms (double bed) with common outside toilets & shower (450ETB/night); 1 traditional house with 2 single beds, shower and toilets included (1000ETB/night);
2 traditional houses with 2 double beds, shower and toilets included (2000ETB/night)
See www.ziontrainlodge.com
Email: [email protected]
Cel. + 251 (0) 911 887 680 (Sis Sandrine)/
Cel. +251 (0)911 887681(Ras Alex)
DH Green Park Hotel Rooms with double bed (300ETB)-
1VIP room (400 ETB), 1family room(500ETB)
Tel. + 251 (0) 462114142 Email:[email protected]
Martin’s Lounge, 3 rooms 300ETB/night each (additional cost for breakfast on request)
Email: [email protected]
Cel. Joshua +251(0) 945227800/
Cel. Desmond +251(0)916822098
Haile Hotel, in town center, three birr one way, then another 2 birr by bajaj or pay contract price for direct transport – check online for current rates – with breakfast, fitness & spa, single room to family villa without breakfast, fitness and spa, single room to double villa
Senuma Pension, single rooms 150, 200, 300ETB per night, Tel. +251(0)461106096
Campers can be accommodated on the Binghi Grounds on a first come, first served basis @ 100 ET Birr per night.
In Addis Ababa Ras Tagassa’s rooms, 3 single and 1 double (meals may be requested in advance at additional cost) Email Ras Tagass King Selassie <[email protected]>
FOOD & BEVERAGE – Two meals will be provided daily for conference participants who will receive meal tickets on payment of the registration fee. Please note that Ethiopia has an abundance of fruit. Persons wishing to purchase food can do so, as Ethiopia offers tasty ‘fasting’ dishes for vegetarians. For those who eat differently, there are several Rastafari
owned restaurants that can meet their needs. Bottled water is easily available. It is advisable to boil and cool tap water before drinking it.
This year, each country’s delegation is being asked to prepare vegetarian meals for one day of the Gathering. You may wish to bring special ingredients if you would like to prepare a dish from your country. Let us know as soon as possible, which day your representatives would like to take charge of the kitchen. We will need to make a roster.
HEALTH & SANITATION – public toilets are not widely available in Ethiopia and where they are, can be sometimes unsanitary. Bring along hand sanitizers and wipes as may be necessary. These items may also be made available in Shashemene.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS – Please declare all medical conditions, allergies etc. early so that you can be advised of the availability of medical and health care. Check with your doctor to determine whether there are any medications you need to have. First Aid administration will be available on site and hospital facilities are in close proximity.
SECURITY – While arrangements will be in place to ensure your personal security, you will be responsible for securing valuables such as cell phones, cameras, hand bags, jewelry, etc. Be vigilant. Please abide by the laws of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at all times AND respect the rules of all venue owners.
CLIMATE – Usually, the main rainy season is over by the month of November but the weather can be cool to cold, particularly at mornings and evenings.
CLOTHING – Wear warm clothing or sufficient clothing to permit layering. Jackets, sweaters or shawls may be needed, though daylight hours can be hot. Comfortable walking shoes are advised.
BAZAAR ITEMS – Must all be Made in Africa by Africans. Delegates bringing in items for the Bazaar are advised to email a list of these items to us by September 30, 2018.
ALL AFRICA RASTAFARI GATHERING
Coordinating Committee
Kebele 0.1, P.O. Box 526,
hashemene, Ethiopia
Tel +251 (0) 461 103 286
PROSPERITY COMES NOT FROM THE MERE WISH
“We are not satisfied with the pace towards progress and development of Our beloved people but are confident that the Almighty will assist Us to reach the desired goal… Prosperity comes not from the mere wish but from the proper utilization by each one of you of the talents bestowed on you by Providence”
(HIM Haile Selassie I, laying foundation stone of a hydro-electric plant in Bahir Dar, May 16, 1959).
