OLUFUNMI ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

 

WHO WE ARE

Olufunmi is an community of Rastafarian people establishing themselves as an alternative spiritual force in the community. The struggle to succeed in our endeavor is hard as is that of anyone who goes against the traditional mold of society. However, we are confidant of our success and have been working for it since May of 1976. Olufunmi is the oldest Rastafarian organization in the Western United States.

Olufunmi is an official organization within the Haile Selassie International Rastafari Nation of Peace. We are dedicated to the spiritual, cultural, and economic upliftment of the African Diasporas worldwide. We believe in equal rights and justice for all people. We believe that freedom of choice is a God given right and responsibility. We believe that the greatest gift of God, besides life, is free will and the mind and spirit to create, understand and appreciate creation.

Olufunmi is a Yoruba word meaning, “God’s Gift”, or “Gift Of God”, or “God Gives Us”. The symbol of Olufunmi is the Star of David in a crescent moon, on a field of Red, Gold, and Green stripes, (the Rastafarian colors). The name and symbol keep us focused on the true source of everything, JAH, the Creator, so that we don’t allow our successes to become ego inflating and place ourselves above others.

We believe in His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I as the vessel of the spirit of the Creator, a Messianic figure. We believe in the spirit of the “Trinity” as man, woman, and child.

We believe that every person must afford compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with any scripture we respect, nor the doctrines of this church.

Olufunmi is a service community, in the traditions and teachings of Patriarch Joseph Nathaniel Hibbert. We believe that we are our brother, and sister’s keeper, and thus required by Jah to engage in endeavors that address and advance the educational, spiritual, and social wellbeing of all people. We believe we are stewards of the earth and should treat it with kindness, inteligence, and respect. We are the roots growing deeper and taking stronger hold.

OUR PRINCIPLES

Olufunmi is a church and spiritual community founded on THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES;

1. Love Jah, the Creator, first and above all things.
2. Do unto others, as you would have done to you.
3. Love, as you would want yourself to be loved.

These three principles are the keys and corner stones to life. All others flow from them. With these guides, one must love and respect creation and all life within it. Belief in them will temper and lead one’s thoughts, actions, and deeds, and give a true humbleness to them.

THE SIX PRINCIPLES OF RASTA LIFE

We adhere to these six principles of Rastafarian life as revealed to us by Rasta Patriarch Josiah Nathaniel Hibbert. They are;
1) To promote and pursue happiness; for it is the goal of human life and endeavor.
2) To usher in the teachings and practice to the glory of Jah, the Creator, and the oneness of human kind.
3) To promote and stimulate interest among members in world affairs and cultivate a spirit of international goodwill and comity.
4) To promote friendly interest among its members to develop a comradic spirit among them and to inculcate in its members’ the desire to render voluntary aid and assistance to one another at all times.
5) To encourage its members to develop interest and pride in egalitarian institutions and to promote egalitarian principles and ideals.
6)To except and expound the equality of all things.

COMMUNITY BUILDING - NGUZO SABA

Also, at the core of our community building activity is the "Nguzo Saba". The "seven principles" of community building put forth by Dr. Maulana Karanga, and celebrated in the week of "KWANZAA". They are:
1) Umoja (Unity)
2)Kujichagulia (Self Determination)
3) Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
4) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
5) Nia (Purpose)
6) Kuumba (Creativity)
7) Imani (Faith)

ACTIONS IN LIFE

We believe in free will. What one does with one’s life and person is between one and the Creator and is not for the purview or judgement of anyone else, so long as it does not hurt or infringe on anyone or anything else’s rights to survive.

Olufunmi is established for non-profit religious, humanitarian and spiritual purposes, and can and will engage in any and all activities it deems necessary and or integral to its purpose and mission.

PURPOSE

 Our purpose is to expound the lifestyle and teachings of the Rastafarian movement, to be an alternative spiritual force in the community, and by being so motivated, to uplift humanity in general.

 Our mission is to:

1. Create a better world through Rastafari
2. Build and strengthen the Rastafarian Community worldwide.
3. To offer humanitarian support to those in need.
4. To be a communication conduit and voice for the Rastafari community and those who don't normally have a voice
5. To build an international cultural and communications network
6. To bring technology in reach of those we serve
7. To work with other grassroots organizations to acheive a better world for all

OUR GOALS  

1. To build and maintain Rastafari community centers. (Begin in Sacramento) with:
1. Living Facilities
2. Research Facility and Library
1. Collect printed media, video, film etc. on anything to do with the Rastafari movement and culture.
2. Have computers, video and audio facilities for people wishing to do research on anything to do with the Rastafari movement and culture.
3. Offices, Meeting Hall and Classrooms
1. Administrative offices
2. Classrooms for workshops and meetings
3. Facilities for the Freedom School
4. Hall for events (Binghis, community and cultural gatherings) with state of the art performance, presentation, and recording technology
4.  COMMERCE
1. Sell books, records, posters, etc.
2.  Disseminating materials about Rastafari and other Black issues.
3. Offer place for community crafts people and artists to sell and display their work.
4. Store online
5. Offer herbs and herbal remedies, and holistic medical supplies for sale
6. A place for herbalists and other alternative healers and therapists to practice

2. Religious and philosophical use of Herb
1. Establish the philosophical and religious use of herb for Rastas
1. Precedent already set by Supreme Court 9th District
2. Recognized under Federal Law (Religious Freedoms Act)
2. Advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana worldwide
3. Join with other groups to over turn herb laws

3.  Work and network with other community based grassroots organizations.

HERB

 

As it is written all herbs were put on this earth for the service of man. Cannabis(marijuana), is not a drug. It has been and still is the highest and holiest of herbs used by man since creation, and has been treated so until the 1950's. It's uses far out number any other substance on this planet. It's high spritual nature has been lauded ever since humanity began using it. It's use can be traced back to early humanity, long before oral recorded history.

It is indeed an answer to many of our current energy and green house problems. The seeds produce a highly nutritous oil that has incredible use as a lubricant and fuel. As a renewable source of energy it can produce most of our oil needs and not have a negative impact on the planet. It produces one of the most resilient fibers, and the paper made from it last for centuries. It can be made into the corsest, strongest cardboard to the finest linen writing paper.It's medicinal uses have been known for thousands of years. Its meditative property and spiritual use is long standing and worldwide. It is a unique plant. It is the "Burning Bush" of ancient legend. As Rasta we support, expound, and believe in the use of the Holy Herb, cannabis, whether it be medical, philosophical, "recreational" or religious. We give thanks for its being.

 

 

 

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