Ethiopia: Banana Man Alive and Well in Shashemene

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Most will be familiar with the Rasta community in Shashemene, but many will not have come across the unique art gallery sitting at the end of a dirt track on the opposite side of the road to the Lion of Judah Museum.

As many visit Shashemene to seek out its unique significance as a hub of the Rastafarian community, there is something very telling about the story that a home-come-workshop-come-gallery of Haileselassie medals and Ras Hailu Tefari memorabilia has to tell, writes, Sean Clothier.

Shashemene is a place like no other. The heart of the Rasta community in Ethiopia is bound to elicit strong emotions from the vast majority of Ethiopians from around the country. Some will say that their integration into the local community has been largely successful and that they are a welcome part of the make-up of modern Ethiopia, adding to its cultural and historical significance. Others will tell you, quite cynically; that they have brought a culture that does not mix well with the current aspirations of the country, the proliferation of marijuana within the local community amongst youth being a clear example. Yet its relevance in terms of national and cultural identity cannot be denied. When Jamaicans believed their biblical prophecy that ‘Kings will come out of Africa’ had come true with the coronation of Emperor Haileselassie I, a ‘Back to Africa’ movement and a new religion was inspired. This, combined with post-war migration and the visit of Haileselassie to Jamaica simultaneously bringing with it the rain, led to the granting of land to Rastafarians in Shashemene, and thus, the emperor’s bashfulness had been overcome.

But if the influence of Rastafarianism has led some to question whether its cultural associations can be part of an Ethiopia in economic progress, then Ras Hailu Tefari [formerly known as Raymond Bandi Payne], whose works of art derive solely from the by-products of a banana plant, certainly presents a challenge to this thesis. In his gallery is an amazing array of work all coming from something known as the ‘enset,’ a short and robust plant that people in the south use as a staple. Before the spread of ‘Kitfo’ – minced red beef to be eaten mostly raw – throughout the country, this was seen as a means of subsistence. Yet Ras Hailu has used it to his advantage since his arrival from Britain in the early 1990s. Britain being a major port of call for post war Jamaican immigration, he decided to return to his roots after a while and change his name as a reflection of his growing affinity towards his native culture and identity. His art work has gained international acclaim from the likes of former US president Ronald Reagan and former President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda, and after visiting his gallery, it’s easy to understand why.

Outside his gallery is a plaque which reads ‘The banana art is a unique skill created by Ras Hailu Tefari from the Island of St Vincent and the Grenadines [Caribbean]. At the age of ten, he was blessed with this talent. No colors, stains or dyes are added. All effects, tones and shades are natural. Ras Hailu discovered the language of banana plant and worked out a code to be taught in workshops.’ He now oversees a staff of 14 [as of 1994], and there is a square in Addis hearing the name of the great artist right in front of the Imperial Hotel at a place known locally as ‘Gerji’.

Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to meet Ras Hailu in person but I was told by his assistant working at his gallery that they receive in excess of ’1,000 visitors each year’ and its name is mentioned in most guide books such as Lonely Planet, as an essential stop-off. I can honestly say that, people like this make the country what it is today, they add life and personification to the books, museums and historical references that are ubiquitous throughout the country and beyond. As behind stats and figures are real people who all have a story to tell and usually a very unique, personalized way of telling it. I urge everyone to go and take a look at Shashemene and its exhibits; it will at least paint a slightly different portrait, albeit with banana leaves.

Source: Reporter