About us

In October 1978, the Rastafari community in St.Lucia hosted a major cultural expose dubbed ITAL RAMA in which we displayed our cultural, culinary, musical and artistic talents to a society which was at the time very intolerant and hostile towards the Rastafari movement.
This event took place at the "Botonical Gardens" (George 5th Park) in Castries on Sunday 28th October 1978 (Rastafari day in Iyanola). This event was the launching pad for the Iyanola Rastafari Improvement Association (IRIA) which was the first Rastafari organization formed to provide representation and governance on behaif of the growing Rastafari community in Iyanola.

The aims and objectives of IRIA at the time were to Organize and Centralize the rapidly growing Rastafari community and to make representation to government on behalf of the Rastafari community.
Provide educational oppurtunities for its members by organizing an adult class program for its members some of whom were marginalized by society. IRIA was also sucessful in operating a full fledge news paper "CALLING RASTAFARI" which was able to educate and inform its members and the society at large as to what Rastafari was all about; what was happening amongst the Rastafari community locally, regionally and internationally. IRIA was also sucessful in having Rastafari youths admitted into the main stream schools following discriminatory acts by some principals.
IRIA was also instrumental in establishing networks (links) with the wider Rastafari communities of the region eg. Jamaica, USA, UK ect ect. IRIA continued making strides up till the mid 1990's when it was forced to enter a phase of hibernation which lasted untill June 1st 1997 when the patriachs and matriachs of the movements gathered at the La Tille Falls in Micoud to revitalize the movement.

Rising out of the ashes in June 1997 was the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari inc.(ICAR Inc) with a well thought out bye laws and constitution to provide transparent governance for the Rastafari community who by then had evolved into various mansions and groups.

Tribute is in order to some of the stalwarts who has guided the movements from such times unto this times.
Bro Soukou; Earl Bousquet; Ras Get-Through; Ras Papapa and Sis Inity; Ras Progress; Ras Abdullah and Sis Isha; Ras Gambo and Sis Shabell; Ras Rachai; Sis Samma; Ras Imani; Jah Zed; Ras Prince; Jah Diamond; Bongo Wisely and the brothers on Roots Farm.
There are others whose names may not appear on that list, but their works and efforts will always be remembered. ASHE

ICAR Inc is now preparing to host its 9th AGM in January 2010 when a new executive will be elected to run the affairs of the organization. For more information about ICAR.Inc, the secretariat can be contacted at: icar.inc@gmail.com. Our website is presently under construction, but can be reached at: www.iyanolarastafaricouncil.org

"Life is not easy for any of us. We must have perseverance and above all confidence in our selves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained."

One Perfect Love
Bongo Wisely Tafari