Reggae chant nyahbinghi Rasta drumming Jah Rastafari music

Nyabinghi, also Nyahbinghi, Niyabinghi, Niyahbinghi, is the gathering of Rastafari people to celebrate and commemorate key dates significant to Rastafari throughout the year. It is essentially an opportunity for the Rastafari to congregate and engage in praise and worship. For example, on July 23rd of each year, a Nyabinghi is held to celebrate the birth of His Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I. During Nyabinghi celebration men and women have different roles and expectations. Men are expected to remove any hair coverings, whilst women must keep their hair covered. A group of men typically organize themselves in a line or semi-circle and are assigned to beat the drums throughout. The remaining congregation continues to sing well-known songs or 'chants', some of which are Hebraic scriptural verses that evidence the divinity of Haile Selassie. For example, 'I have a little light in I and I'm going to make it shine, Rastafari, shine' and 'Holy Mount #Zion is a holy place and no sinners can enter there, so let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, of Rastafari'. #Nyabinghi is a Rastafari tradition that promotes Rastafari unity, strengthens the Rastafari spirit with fellowship and raises the consciousness and presence of #Rastafari in the heart of those in attendance. At some points, passages of the bible are read. Rastafari recognizes the significance of Jesus Christ, due to Haile #Selassie I fulfilling the teachings and prophecy of scripture.