April 21, 2026 – Honouring Grounation Day (April 21, 1966)
Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, Kingston, Jamaica
WatchRasta documented the RasTafari Groundation held on April 21, 2026 at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre in Kingston, Jamaica. The gathering was held in remembrance of Grounation Day (April 21, 1966), marking the historic arrival of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile SelassieSelassieHis Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, revered by Rastafari as the representation of Jah on Earth. I at Norman Manley International Airport.
The 1966 visit remains a defining moment in Rastafari history. Thousands gathered at the airport to receive the Emperor, followed by a motorcade into Kingston. The event is widely recognized as a turning point in cultural identity, spiritual affirmation, and global recognition of the Rastafari movement.
The 2026 Groundation honoured this legacy through a day of cultural expression and community engagement. A symbolic motorcade reflected the original arrival route into Kingston, connecting present remembrance with historical experience.
Performances by students of Haile SelassieSelassieHis Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, revered by Rastafari as the representation of Jah on Earth. High School highlighted youth involvement in preserving cultural identity and continuity. Earlier in the day, the school also hosted its own cultural gathering, reinforcing the role of education in sustaining heritage.
The program also included an African fashion showcase, vendor displays featuring food, clothing, art, and natural products, as well as reasoningsReasoningA highly spiritual communal gathering for dialogue, meditation, and chanting to elevate collective consciousness. and presentations led by DARC Foundation, Yashimabet Holistic Care, King Isis, First Man, and other cultural contributors throughout the day.
The Groundation stood as a collective reflection on history, expressed through culture, dialogue, and community connection.
WatchRasta continues to document and preserve these living cultural moments as part of the ongoing archive of Rastafari heritage.