Sizzla Kalonji was invited to perform for the Nigerian Foreign Minister His Excellency Olugbenga Adeyemi Ashiru and Ambassadors of the World by the Nigerian Ambassador Peter Oyodele early this week at the Jamaica Pegusus Hotel On top of the World. This marked his first performance since his serious accident late August.
Although not one hundred percent recovered, Sizzla took the opportunity to represent the Rastafarian community and the Diaspora at large at this historic reception which marked an important union between Nigeria and Jamaica. Jamaica representing the breadbasket of the Caribbean and Nigeria as pioneer in opening doors between Africa and the Caribbean.
Sizzla was only suppose to perform one song, but the diplomatic guests insisted that he perform up to five songs. He also delivered an eloquent speech illuminating the joy of such an occasion representing a pivotal point in Rastafari and Pan-Africanism. Sizzla was accompanied by a few elders from the I-ncient Council who had the opportunity to deliver a letter to the Nigerian Foreign Minister addressing repatriation now to Africa and building relationships with the Rastafarian community in Jamaica.
Other performances for the night included a wonderful African Dance from Stella Mars and The Etutu Dance Troupe from Hanover, Jamaica. There was food from Nigeria and Jamaica that was very enjoyable. It was a great time for reunion and healing from the wrath of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and colonization that has separated the two for many years.
The reception gave everyone an opportunity to see that African retentions exist in Jamaica and that you can take the African out of Africa but you can't take Africa out the African no matter where we are in the Diaspora.
