Rastafarians to Hold Candle Light Procession for Ras Kimono in Ebonyi


Rastafarians in Ebonyi State have concluded plans to hold candle light procession for departed Nigerian reggae icon, Ekeleke Onwubuya, popularly known as Ras Kimono.

Kimono died on Sunday at the Lagos Lagoon hospital of an undisclosed ailment at the age of 60.

Rastafarianism is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. Scholars of religion and related fields have classified it as both a new religious movement and a social movement.

The reggae artists told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Monday that the procession was to honour Kimono â€œbecause of his great contributions to the development of the brand of music in the countryâ€.

James Okoh, alias Rasta Omege, said he would coordinate the activities to ensure that Kimono was given a befitting tribute by Rastafarians in the state.

â€œWe would immediately convene a meeting to deliberate on ways to honour our departed father and further propagate the reggae gospel in the state and the country.

â€œWe would also organise candle light procession, hold road-shows, music concerts, Rastafarian-night, among other activities, to give Ras Kimono a befitting farewell,â€ he said.

Another Rastafarian, Charles Nduka, alias Rasta Iree, said Kimonoâ€™s contributions to the development of music, especially reggae and the entire social sector of the country, was unparalleled.

He added that: â€œKimono inspired young musicians in the country to embrace reggae and this helped in some of the positive changes witnessed in the society.

â€œKimono, through his songs, ensured that music was given its pride of place in the country and corrected the wrong notion that it is a venture for school drop-outs and never do wells.â€

Bede Asomugha, alias, Ras Uncle, noted that he had a personal experience with Kimono in 1997, shortly after the death of late Afro-beat music icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Ras Uncle said: â€œI was a drug addict and was resident at Felaâ€™s African Shrine with others affected by the demise of the late Afro beat star.

â€œKimono encouraged me to return to Ebonyi after I had shun drugs one year earlier. I am a living example of Rastafarian not engaged in drug abuse.â€

Christy Mbaleke, a reggae fan, urged the federal, state and music organisations not only to immortalise Kinomo but enhance the welfare of artists in the country.

She said: â€œRas Kimono used his songs to fight apartheid in South Africa, military dictatorship in Nigeria, poverty, oppression, among other malaise in the society.

â€œRelevant stakeholders should look into the welfare of artists and the entertainment industry to check the rising cases of death among them.â€

Some of Kimonoâ€™s hit songs include: Whats Gwan, Rumba Stylee, Natty Get Jail, Senseless Killings.(NAN)