“Bobo Shanti, or the Priestly Order of Rastafari, the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress, Church of True Divine Salvation, was founded in Jamaica during the mid-twentieth century by Charles Edwards, known as King Emmanuel, and considered by many to be the Black Christ-in-flesh. Most of its members, called “Bobos” or “Bobo dreads”. Bobos greet each other using the formal address “My Lord” and are most notable for their wearing of turbans and long flowing robes as well as brooms they carry with them, which signify cleanliness. Membership of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress is increasingly growing globally, as their members are seen in Africa, Europe, North and South America and throughout the Caribbean.
King Emmanuel is called “Dada” by his followers, who see him as part of a holy Trinity, together with Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, in which Selassie is seen as King/God (Jah), Garvey as prophet, and Emmanuel as high priest after the priesthood order of Melchizedek.”
– Michael Thompson
