Greetings through the Twelve Tribes of Israel , which was once lost and scattered abroad, and has now been founded in the Island of Jamaica by our beloved Prophet brother Gad, and functioning world wide.
I all so greet you in that orthodox faith, which is not a function of
writs
and writes, but a mystical co-operating function of ones heart, in plain
words, to be born again. The Beloved PROPHET GAD
July 13th,1997
on Jamaican radio station IRIE FM's Running African
Interview by Ms. Andrea Williams
Transcribed by Messian Dread of the Netherlands Printed with
kind permission of Brother Gad(Manchester U.K. April 1998)
The resistance to slavery, colonial domination, and racism have been the
struggles of the sons and daughters of Africa in the Diaspora since we
were
Taken to the new world. African resistance began on the slave ships and
Continues up to the present. The right to basic human rights were not
Guaranteed after the emancipation act went into effect in 1834 and the
chance
of former slaves to now live as free men and women in dignity and to
develop a
human potential to the fullest had to be fought tooth and nail against
former
slave masters. The list of martyrs for black liberation are many, and
the
struggle for complete freedom and self-determination have come in all
shapes
and forms. One of the most glorious moments of our struggle was during the
organizational work of the honorable Marcus Garvey and the U.N.I.A. which
linked the effort and the continent of Africa for majority rule, equal
rights and
justice and the struggles in the Diaspora with the now famous words:
"Africa
for the Africans, those at home and those abroad. We should move forward
also with
one God, one aim and one destiny".
In 1930 in Ethiopia, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned King of Kings
and
Lord of Lords with the throne-name Haile Selassie the First and a new
chapter in the
struggle, one with religious connotations, was opened. God was finally
real and
the Christian doctrine was no longer the monopoly of white missionaries
with
headquarters in Rome. The bible was studied and any reference to Ethiopia
took
on added significance. Ethiopia, being attacked by Italy at the start
of
the
second world war galvanized interest and concern in the struggle of good
over
evil. During this period, the Ethiopian World Federation was formed in the
United States of America under the guidance of the Emperor Haile Selassie
the
First, to unite the support for the restoration of Ethiopia's sovereignty.
After the war, and the defeat of Italy, the Emperor showed his
appreciation by
donating land at Shashamane, to anyone of African descent in the west who
wanted to return to the mother-land. Time, however, was creating Africans
with
various aspirations. New generations were producing new societies of
Africans
in the West. Independent nations were beginning to form and black
majority
rule was imminent. In Jamaica, the reverence of Emperor Haile Selassie
continued to
create distinguishable movements, such as Nyabinghi, the Ethiopian
National
Congress or Bobo dreads, the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
The Twelve Tribes of Israel, founded by the Prophet Gad,
has added
another
dimension in the liberation movement, to include liberation for all races
through the teaching of the bible, and the acceptance of Jesus Christ.
Membership is not limited, but inclusive. By identifying the spiritual
sons of
Jacob and finding truth for oneself through reading the bible "a chapter a
day", man can find salvation. The divine lineage continues through the
Ethiopian Monarchy, the seed of David, of which it is said, "The scepter
shall
not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from beneath his feet, until Shiloh
comes
and unto Him will be the gathering of the people."
Running African caught up with the Prophet Gad at his
Hopewood
home,
and for the first time ever, he consented to speak publicly on radio
********************************************************************* .
He
tells us first
of the history of the Twelve Tribes.
"I was being converted in 1961 and I read the Bible from Genesis
to Revelation
twice. But I was being sent, I was called and sent, resurrected and sent
to do
this work and when I read the bible I strongly see that there is a gap
that is
there to be filled and I believe that I am one of them that send to do it
Do the work."
Where did the movement start, where were you at the time?
" At Trenchtown. But I was called when I was living at Outlook Avenue,
that is at
Rockfort Garden."
What form did it take, how did you convince people of what it is
that you were
sent to do?
" Well, I keep telling them that if they read the bible a chapter a
day,
they will
see that what I'm doing, if it is right or wrong. Well, majority read the
bible
and them say, what I am saying is there, so they be a part of it."
How is the different tribes identified, how did you know who was Simeon
and who
was Levi and so on...
"Yes, well there's a record in the bible, if you see it you see, that
Ruben
represent the eye, and Simeon represent the ears, and such like, it is all
there, but there is a part there that the maid, that the maid have two
children
and the other one have two. So that is how come the Twelve Tribes of
Israel.
It's all recorded there you know. I have seen most of things I'm doing in
the
bible."
Okay. Some more about the Tribes. and how they identify themselves.....
" By a month. Each month, like Ruben represent April, Simeon represent
May,"
Glad You said that. I'm Simeon. (laughs)
" And June represent Levy and Judah."
How did you make the connection with the tribes and the months.
How did you
know that May was Simeon?
Alright. (At this point Gad points to body parts that correspond with the
different Tribes)
Well, you see, I mean, Rueben, you see, so you know that is April, an your
Ear : that is May, June, July, August, September, October, which is
your back, November your penis, October, November, December: the knee,
January, February, and March."
Alright. The 12 Tribes of Israel have been accused of being
elitist, catering
to the middle class and whites. Is that a fair criticism?
"No that is not a fair criticism. Because we are not catering for only
one set
of people, out of one blood is all nation, so it is all called, but we
know
that not everybody is going to see what we are all doing."
So this talk..because I know a lot of people are listening now are
saying to themselves:
But no, we always did think that only a certain type of people were
members of
The 12 Tribes of Israel, and isn't it interesting that a Rastafarian
group cared,
when most Rastafarians are saying: "Down with the with the white
downpressors" that 12
Tribes of Israel actually embrace all races.
"That is correct. We read in the Bible that out of one blood all nation,
so it
would be wrong for us to say only one race, we wouldn't survive that way,
God
make all of us, so, that is where I stand."
The 12 Tribes of Israel is seen as closer to Christianity than other
Rastafarian groups. Is there a basic difference in the doctrine?
"Yes there is a basic difference because we see Christ, and that die
and
rose
again, and that die for our sin, we see that person. So that is, you know,
a
different teaching, because is not many see this teaching, that Christ is
the
person."
I want to remind you that we're speaking with the Prophet Gad who is the
leader, the head,
the founder of the 12 Tribes of Israel "Well, Christ is to return and sit on the Throne of David, so I
strongly
believe
that, you know, Christ is going to come and sit on the Throne of David."
I want you to.. You said something very important here and something that
may
disturb the Rastafarian Movement in Jamaica. Christ, You're talking about
the return of
Christ.
"Yes I am talking about the return of Christ who is going to sit on the
throne
of David."
Are you making a differentiation between Jesus Christ and Haile Selassie.
"Yes I am making a differentiation. Because Christ the same yesterday,
today and forever. And even after His Majesty say, Him saved not by the
man character but by the blood of Jesus Christ."
Alright, let's move on. The doctrinal principals of the 12 Tribes of
Israel
at the outset of this program. I said that you as a head of a Rastafarian
organization yourself, you don't wear dreadlocks. Do you have specific
principals as it relates to hair, diet and the reading of the Bible?
"When I read the Bible I see you know, there is not a hair-doctrine.
Yet
we know
that man, you know, him hair is too long, but there is no law to compel
him to
trim. So as for me now, I say everyone have the right to wear him
dreadlocks as long as him want to wear it. And nobody shouldn't have
anything to
say about it. I read the bible and I choose, prefer to, pole your hair.
When
you pole your hair, you comb your hair, like I don't trim, but I pole. So
you have some of
the dreadlocks dread and you have some that pole them hair."
I have heard it said even on this station IRIE FM, that if you don't have
your
dreadlocks you can't go to Zion. How do you respond to that?
"There is not a hair doctrine. You see, by grace through Christ, so
hair
can't
save you."
What about diet?
"Diet. Well, it is already recorded in the book what you must eat from
what you
are not to eat. Yet, a man free to do what him want to do. But it's
specifically recorded there in the bible what to eat (ie:cloven footed)and
what not to eat."
(that through the cut?)
I know members of the 12 Tribes of Israel; that I have come in contact
with, one
of the differences that I found is that 12 Tribes of Israel members will
eat meat, for
example, whereas most other Rastafarians are vegetarians.
"Yes well, there is so many things to eat before meat it was
vegetables,
afterward, you see, that you must eat this meat and you must eat that meat
and
you mustn't eat that meat. But before it was vegetables. And then
afterward Noah
and the flood then now we get meat to eat. And separate from what not to
eat."
Alright. Many argue, but before we get to that, let us look at the reading
of
the bible, because I know that one of your main principals is reading the
bible. Tell me about that.
"Yes well, it show to me, His Majesty even give we a little hint , that
in
the
Bible you know, Him glorify in the bible, and from a little child Him was
taught to read the bible. Now, when I look I see, that to understand
fully, it
is good to read timely and to read for yourself. A chapter a day it is
preferable,
still anyone free that they can the bible how they want to read it."
You've been in this movement for very long time, you're the founder. Does
that mean
that you have continued to read the bible a chapter a day until now, so
you must
have read it a couple of times.
"Yes I read it a couple of times, twice, and now again I go through it.
But I
don't read it as much as, you know"
Many argue that the bible is not 100% reliable but that the reading of the
bible
actually is a main principal of yours and of the 12 Tribes of Israel. How
do
you respond to the skeptics who say that the bible is not reliable and
burn the
bible so to speak.
"Anytime it show that you'll have them curse God, curse the king, and
such a
like, so I don't expect for them to accept certain things, but those who
accept,
well, give thanks to them."
Moving on to rights of passage. How does the movement, the 12 Tribes of
Israel
address birth within the movement, the adolescence period, when the child
is a
teenager, and marriage and also death?
"Well, if I could understand clearly, I know that, you have a birth, and
after
birth, you have child, adolescence, and when they grow up they're supposed
to
married, and after they marry they're supposed to help their fellow man,
and when
death come, it come. But right now we're trying to avoid that death
business. But when
that come, you can't run from it. As for us, we don't die. We only sleep,
waiting for the resurrection."
Are there any specific ceremonies concerning for instance birth. Is a
child
within the 12 Tribes of Israel christened or blessed by you as a prophet?
"I don't do any christening. I wasn't told to Christen so I don't do
any
christening. Them can Christen when your born you have to Christen and
then.."
Not necessarily within any strict rules and so on. What about marriage are
there any specific..?
"Marriage is a holy vow. And I know that marriage is right. So if you
see
a
partner and you love them, get married. That is as far as I'm concerned on
marriage"
Okay, moving on. The 12 Tribes of Israel is currently not having regular
meetings. When can we expect the resumption of these meetings?
"We were discussing about it, I think the time has come for it to
start.
But we
was organizing for years and keeping a lot of meetings, so we take a
break, a
rest. Cause the same teaching over and over, so we take a rest but soon de
we hope an trust
that we open back to proceed as we was before, and then taking back
some of the members who would like to be a part."
Do you have any idea how soon, within a couple of months, or anything like
that?
"Not yet. I can't say it. Probably a little more, but not right at the
moment."
How does one who is interested in becoming a member of the 12 Tribes of
Israel,
how does one do that?
"They have to wait until we announce the time when we are going to take
in
members and then they can."
So listen out for that
The monarchy. Discussions on the monarchy have served within the
Rastafarian
movement to separate the movement. Many see Haile Selassie as the final
king.
How does the 12 Tribes of Israel view the continuation of the monarchy in
relation to the current political climate in Ethiopia?
"Well, His Majesty won't be the final king, cause he is not here now,
and
we have
other kings to come, right, so, as for me, I strongly believe, that the
monarchy will establish, when, due time."
So Haile Selassie, contrary to what a lot of other people are saying, is
not
the final king?
"No, he is not the final king."
Well, could you tell a little bit about the succession, then?
"The succession His Majesty you know him name Amha Selassie already, as
the heir to the throne,
and he is not at the moment there, and him also name Yacob, but Yacob is
there
now, so we are looking for the speedily return of Yacob to Ethiopia."
How does this fit in with the teaching of, not necessarily of the 12
Tribes of
Israel, but of Rastafarians in general, who, because of the (well, at
first you
answered that anyway about the divinity of Haile Selassie and you've
actually made a
distinction between Haile Selassie and Jesus Christ). But many
Rastafarians
don't see anything outside of Haile Selassie which means that he is the
final
king to sit upon the throne, how do we resolve that?
"Well, I have said before, he's not the final king, but I strongly
believe
that
Christ is going to sit upon the throne, but HIM His Majesty is not the
final
king, you have more kings, because Amha Selassie is there, he is not
there, and
then you have Yacob supposed to be seated shortly."
Do you see the monarchy being restored in Ethiopia, as a matter of fact,
because what is happening in Ethiopia now, we know that Amha Selassie
tried to
go back recently, we don't know what happened with that, he didn't go
back
but do you see the restoration of the monarchy in Ethiopia?
"At Now they don't accept the monarchy, but at least there is an
amount
of people is there that looking forward, because that is the only person
they believe
could able to get back the unity of the Ethiopian people."
How do you see it happening, the restoration of the monarchy?
"When the time come, you know, we will overturn and overturn, and who's
right it is
them will give it to them, so, when the fullness of time come, we don't
know
when , but we're sure that it must happen."
Is this according to prophecy?R.That the monarchy must be restored?
"Oh yes, Oh yes."
Is the monarchy a dinosaur in the age of democracy do you think? and could
it
be could it be anything more than a constitutional monarchy?
"Well I don't fully overstand that,"
Right now, when Amha Selassie was trying to return, the last time, he was
told
that he could only come back as a constitutional monarch with no powers
whatsoever. Do you see anything else happening apart from that, or do you
see
the monarchy restored at such a point, where the monarchy is once again as
it
was in the days of Haile Selassie, ruling in Ethiopia
"Well, I keep saying over and over that when the time come, then we
sure
that we
are going to have a king to seat up. It is going to take some time, but he
is
going to be seated for sure."
Rumors have been circulating that Prince Zere Yacob is mentally deranged
and
therefore not fit to succeed. What light can you shed on this matter?
"Well I bredda Gad don't know him as somebody that is mentally
disturbed.
He was
here the last time and nobody see him and such a like, him is functioning
normal
as far as I understand, when I left him in Manchester. But I don't see him
as a
deranged person. It really, you know, unbelievable."
I must point out at this point, I don't know if you want me to do this,
but
Zere Yacob is very close to the 12 tribes of Israel.
"Oh yes he is very close. He's .... with bredrin them and sister in
Manchester."
Is he a member of the 12 Tribes of Israel?
"He's a member of the 12 Tribes of Israel yes"
Ermias, prince Ermias the nephew of Amha Selassie, will visit Jamaica in
August, what is his position in the royal family?
"I have not much knowledge about him but I read that he is one of the
Crown
Counsels, that is as far as I know. I don't say further what he is doing
and
what he is saying, but I do no have much knowledge about him, but I know
that
he is one of the Crown Counsels."
Has Ermias been in contact with you?
"No we haven't spoken and I don't know him and he don't know me."
Have you been officially informed of his visit in August?
"Yes, when I say officially I mean I read this, our document there
before
that
he was planning to come, and now it's time for him to arrive to be here in
August."
The future of the monarchy. Is it a part of the doctrine of 12 Tribes of
Israel,
that the monarchy must be physical restored, you're touched on that before
that
it is prophecy, but is it a part of your teaching?
"Yes, that is a part our teaching that the monarchy must be restored,
just
like
how the sun and the moon and the stars is there, that nobody can remove
them, same way, monarchy must restore."
The 12 Tribes of Israel currently has the largest settlement on
Shashamane. Is
Ethiopia the final home and what about the rest of Africa?
"Just Shashamane is not the final home. The whole of Africa, because
One
King shall rule over
them all. And also, the whole of Africa, especially Jerusalem."
Okay, you say the whole of Africa, especially Jerusalem, and I am sure a
lot of
people are saying "but Jerusalem is not Africa".
"Yeah, Jerusalem is Africa. Jerusalem is a part of Africa is only
certain things happen, and it break away. But there is no argument that
Jerusalem is not a part of Africa, we are sure!"
So when we speak of a new Jerusalem, what are we talking of?
"When we are talking about a new Jerusalem, we are talking about
Jerusalem
in Asia Minor.
New Jerusalem is a different thing all entirely, definition."
I wanted to look just a little bit more at that, Jerusalem being the final
home, all of Africa, especially Jerusalem. How is that, if you will, how
will that work? How will that happen?
"Consider they take out a lot of Ethiopians there if you notice the
history
show you that they always were saying that the people in Ethiopia is not
the Jews.
Alright? But then suddenly there is a changes, that them is the Jews, them
take
out most of them and carry them Jerusalem. So we see everything clear
there that the
people who is Israel and was in Ethiopia, them ancestor was from
Jerusalem,
and them send them back. So here is some of us out here, now it was quite
interesting that, those who them take from there, and they carried there,
they
say they are the tribe of Dan, so them might then identify themself, as
one of the
tribes, of Dan. The people them who leave and go to Jerusalem, that them
take
out from Eritria, Falashas, yeah."
Okay, who should lead the repatriation exercise, because there are so many
different organizations all over the world, African organizations,
non-African
organizations, but how involved should they be in helping black people who
want
to go back to Africa.?
"The first thing the OAU supposed to be the countries that come
together
and help
voice for the return of the people in the western hemisphere back to
Africa. I
strongly believe they supposed to should be playing a part to help we to
come
home, who want to come."
What about reparations from Europe, from America, from Britain?
"Yes, well, we are going to need help because, you know, the ship is
there, the
plane is there, so we're looking for them to help to transport us back as
even
them said that they say the only thing to do now is away back the people
them,
and people that them send away, those are the people that help back the
country."
So we get to back to who should lead, who should lead this exercise, this
back
to Africa movement. Who do you think should lead that.?
"Well the Rastafarian must come together and elect a person to
represent
the
body. And then out of that them know we can able to write, to these
different
people and to tell them that we are united. We would like them to help
us."
The Shashamane land-grant is still in effect?
"The Shashamane land-grant is still in effect but there is a lot of
things
to
clear up within the settlement."
Do you want to elaborate on that, some of the we need to clear up?
"Not at the moment."
Alright, so you say it is still in effect but there is things that need to
be
clear up. Now what is the 12 Tribes position on the EWF claim that all
settlers, who of the land, that people who settle in Shashamane are
squatters,
if they do not settle through the permission of the EWF?
"I really surprise them to know that they are saying that who is there
on
the
land, squatters. How can African going home, going back home, can become
as a
squatters, it is unbelievable. Squatters, impossible."
Is there need for Rastafarians to organize and centralize?
"Oh yes, there is an urgent need for the Rastafarian to organize. Yes,
there is"
How do you think this process can begin?
"Well, somebody that is capable of call a meeting and if they're
sincere,
they call
a meeting and hope and trust that from there we can get somewhere."
But you as a leader of the 12 Tribes of Israel you see a great need. Do
you see
yourself playing any part in that?
"I strongly believe that I will help and play my little part that I can
as
a
person with organizing over the years when that process, you
know.."
Alright, should there be a political as well as a spiritual arm of
Rastafarians?
"There's political movements, it is there, but I am not here to deal
with
it.
I am not fighting them. I am here to deal with the spiritual part of it.
Not
politically."
What are your thoughts on the Rastafarian Centralization Organization, the
RCO ?
"I have no knowledge at the moment I only know that them is here so is
only left now to
see what they are saying, before I can give a definite statement about
them, but I have no
knowledge presently."
The RCO, they have been around for a little while. Haven't they contacted
you
officially, informing you of the organization and inviting you to join
with
them in the centralization process?
"It came here they send a letter inviting us to help with the school,
but
we
never get to it, so that is the only letter that I know I have so far but
I
don't get any letter them invited me and such to come."
That is quite interesting that that is happening, that we have a
Rastafarian
Centralization Organization, and that the head of the biggest, the most
organized Rastafarian movement in the world has not been invited to be a
part
in that centralization process. If you were invited, would you talk with
them
and see what's happening?
"Yes, I believe the time must come for me to play a part of, you know,
I
think I
would go and hope and trust that they proceed orderly and they have no
commotion,
because I don't deal the commotion, the confusion. I strongly believe that
the
time has come for Rastafarian to come together."
I feel very good to hear that. The 12 Tribes of Israel have undoubtedly
the most
organized body of Rastafarians in the world, as I have said before, what
role
should the movement play in organizing Rastafarians in Jamaica, and in the
rest
of the world?
"Well, at least we are organizing for a good while now, we have the
organ,
the
12 Tribes of Israel, in Jamaica, it start here, it is in Ethiopia, it is
in the
United States, it is in United Kingdom, Sweden, it is Germany, New
Zealand,
Tobago, Ghana, Australia, Kenya, and Grenada."
That is 12 Tribes.....
"That is 12 Tribes organization in these other country, and some other
country,
it is still there, but..."
I am thinking that since the 12 Tribes has done so well in organizing the
12
Tribes of Israel, is there a particular role now that the 12 Tribes could
play
in helping then to organize the rest of the Rastafarians?
"Yes, well, I just said a while ago that I think that I could help, to
play a
part, to give a helping hand, not as somebody to come to take over
nothing, but
as a helping hand, to help organize them. So we're looking
forward....."
The Prophet Gad. The man who boldly declares Jesus Christ. The head of a
Rastafarian movement who doesn't wear dreadlocks. The man who coined the
phrase: "A chapter a day".
The Kebra Negast, or the book of The Glory of Kings of Ethiopia, has been
in existence for at least a thousand years and contains the true history
of the
origin of the Solomonic line of kings in Ethiopia. It is as the ultimate
authority and the history of the conversion of Ethiopians from the worship
of
the sun, moon and stars, to that of our Lord God of Israel. Jesus
Christ,
and
Menelik, the son of Solomon and the queen of Sheba, were sons of Solomon,
and
so, they were akin to each other. But Christ is the Son of God, and
therefore, being the Kinsman of Christ, Menelik was divine. The Kebra
Negast
asserts that the kings of Ethiopia who were descended from Menelik were of
divine
origin, and that their words and deeds were those of God's. Haile Selassie
, a
devoted Christian, reflected that divine nature and maintained the
struggle of
good over evil continually inspiring the Rastaman.
********************************************************************
. We want to move on now to the
doctrine.
Recently we've had much debate on this program "Running African" and other
programs about the Divinity of His Majesty the Emperor Haile Selassie as
it
relates the return of Jesus Christ. What are your thoughts on the matter?