Roots Archives Forum

Thanks for answers.
Cheers

I suppose it is short for nyabinghi, but what it specifically means when appearing before a name (e.g. Nyah Keith) I couldn't say. Probably denotes the guy as a Rasta anyway.

The African meaning which i am familiar with for nyah is "purpose".

Some reggae artists mentioned it in there songs and even names through probably the connection with the african language of Swahili.

Respect and guidance,

Rasta

from what i understand there also was a man who was called nyah in the early days of rastafarianism in the trenchtown area...he and ossie were spreading the news of the faith...but i think nyah started the preachings first...at least i think that is the case but don't quote me on it

OK, I won't quote you on it, super ape, but that example sounds about right. I have a record "Nyah knows the Messiah" which fits better if you see Nyah as a living person/preacher rather than the more commonly used Nyabinghi as in drumming etc.

Maybe "nyah" mean "no one"?

Listen the question is what does Nyah mean well i`ve given you the answer.

Exactly work it out Super ape mentioned about a guy called Nyah who was a preacher well it makes sense then,he was called Nyah wich means "purpose" if he was the preacher who preached the faith then they could of named him Nyah meaning purpose. Purpose was to preah if you catch what im saying.

Nyah does not mean preacher or person it`s origins come from africa, Swahili language and means purpose and can also be known as saying goal as well.

Respect,

Rasta

Niyabingi-1,death to all black and white oppressors.
2,E
ast arfican warriors who resisted colonial domination.
3,Large rastafarian meeting or gathering.
4,Referring to traditional,orthodox rastas.
5, A variety of drumming.

Niyahman- Name for rastas'referring to niyahbingi warriors of east africa.

Is jus rasta!

i have a couple of files filled with bits from here and there that i´ve copied from books i´ve borrowed etc.. all stuffed in at random off course, but i think the following piece comes from the book - itations of jamaica and i rastafari - by millard faristzaddi.



iya/iyah: short for niyabinghi as in iyabinghi. used as a greeting to mean a rastafari, or before the given name. also affirming the "higher" reality of rastafari.



iyahbinghi: niyabinghi, which is the foundation of the rastafari way of life; the throne room music; a rastafari spiritual gathering to end downpression. the race redemption of the afrikan and the coming of the impending armageddon which will precipitate these things and bring about the dawn of an era of world peace and righteousness - the golden age.

the popular interpretation of niyabinghi/iyabinghi is "death to the black and white downpressors".
iyahbinghi spiritual gatherings are held on special days to celebrate events in rastafari history as well as at the request of congregation memebers for special personal occations. a pillar of fire is always present in the form of a bonfire of wood in rememberance of the pillar of fire which guided the israelites through the wilderness.

niyabinghi comes from the name of a ugandan queen or princess killed during the war against coloniaism by the colonial powers. afrikans in uganda, the congo, ethiopia and jamaica joined hands and formed the niyabinghi order for the overthrow of colonialism with the emperor haile selassie as its head.

Ites Swedon, very insightful.

Roots,
Jah Chicken