Rating
3 hours
Monday to Saturday
6+
1 to 22 people
Incl. Food & entrance fees
Reviews
Quaint, curious and a little off-beat are just some of the words that come to mind when one thinks of Knysna, the picturesque Garden route town in the Western Cape. It’s no wonder then that this small package can throw a curve ball such as Judah Square. This is home to one of the largest Rastafarian communities in the South Africa. Bra Zeb – short for Zebulon, is a small animated man with 20-year old dreadlocks down to his knees. He greets us with the customary fist bump and an “Irie” and for a good part of the afternoon will teach us about the origins of the neighbourhood and Rastafarianism. When Bra Zeb speaks it’s difficult not to pay attention to him. He uses his whole body and weaves and bops about in a dance-like fervour directed by a passionate fiya that clearly burns inside of him when he speaks about Rastafarianism and his community.
Standing in front of the themed murals depicting the Lion of Zion, King Haile Selassie and other iconography of the Rastafari movement, Bra Zeb introduces us to the history, beliefs and lifestyle choices of his tight-knit community and Rastafarianism in general. He uses the murals as prompts into sililoquys that he delivers with theatrical quality. Following this introduction we are lead across the road to a yard where the Tabernacle of Judah Square stands. Here Zeb delves a little further into detail, drawing out the differences between the various orders within Rastafarianism, paying particular attention to his own Niyabinghi group. Beyond religion, the community speaks volumes about the power of self-organisation and community lead initiative. Though many of the residents of Judah Square work in town, the community has erected a creche run by volunteers, developed home-stay bed and breakfasts and have also built a community centre.
We head down to the gift shop at the entrance to the village where a volunteer is always on hand to man the boom gate entrance. We take a look at the arts and crafts items, T-Shirts, posters, selection of musical paraphernalia and range of natural remedies on sale before bidding Bra Zeb farewell. Our brief introduction to the Rastafari movement ends here, we make our way back to the cul de sac at the top of the hill in the Rastafarian village, where we will receive the royal treatment - so to speak. On arrival at Mr. Mau Mau’s home, a high tea spread fit for the Queen is ready and waiting. Mau Mau and his wife, have gone all out with a selection of home-baked cakes and different types of hot beverages, with some reggae tunes playing in the background.
Life as Bra Zeb has repeatedly expressed in more ways than one, including through a literal song and dance of Ebony and Ivory, is truly peaceful in Judah Square and the tightly-knit community is a thing of envy. This is a community bound together not simply through religious commonality, but through a genuine inclination for self-sufficiency, self-organisation and love for grassroots mobilisation. If not for gaining knowledge about Rastafarianism, have been enriched by this invaluable experience of the power of collectivism and the spirit of communal enterprise. Bless.
1. Paintings around Judah square.
2. Rastafari community store.
3. Rastafari community centre.
4. Meeting the community members of Judah square.
5. High tea with Mau Mau.
Entrance fees, food non-alcoholic refreshments.
Transport to and from the tour.