Rastavillage Experience
May 14, 2011
THE RASTAFARI INDIGENOUS VILLAGE
VISITOR INTERPRETATION CENTRE
MONTEGO RIVER GARDENS
Porto Bello, Montego Bay, St. James
LOCATION
We are so easy to find:
The Village offers an interactive experience for visitors seeking a Jamaican, cultural, environmental, immersion.
The Village is accessed by excellent roads. It is located just 15 minutes drive-time from the centre of Montego Bay; fifteen minutes from the Montego Cruise Pier; and approximately twenty minutes from the Sangster International Airport.
It is situated in the fertile, lush and green Montego River Valley.
The visitor is guided from the meeting point at The Montego River Gardens and park, walked through a short traverse across the clear, refreshing Montego River itself and then unto the River-walk – fringed with fruit trees, and endemic plants.
A small path through a “Ackee Walk” leads up to the Village where visitors are met with a cool refreshing beverage.
A full tour is two and a half hours, however, within this; modifications can be arranged based on group needs and requests.
SHARE THE EXPERIENCE
At present, tours take place three days per week: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Tours begin at 10am. A full tour lasts two and a half hours; however, modifications can be arranged based on group needs and requirements.
Visitors are met at The Montego River Gardens and are introduced to the Rastafari way of life. They are guided through the river, with explanations about the flora and fauna of the River Valley.
They arrive at the Village and are offered refreshing coconut water. They are then guided to the ‘Ital Spice’ Kitchen for an introduction to the food of the Rastafari.
From there, they journey to the ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Peaceful Garden’ and invited to take a Life balancing /centering walk.
They are next introduced to The Herb Garden, with its extensive display of traditional healing medicinal herbs and told of ancient methodologies – they are invited to smell, taste and rub.
Leaving the Herb Garden they travel to the Big Hut for a musical experience: drumming and chanting with the band to the ancestral soul stirring rhythms. Fresh fruits and herbal tea is served and an interactive discussion takes place between the visitors and the ‘Villagers’.
To close, they visit the ‘Productivity Centre’ where craft is made, herbs packaged and where the village conducts its commercial enterprises.
They are then guided back across the river to their transportation.
Experiences
1. Introductions: The spiritual fire always burns.
2. The Ital Spice Kitchen: The Rastafari are vegan, and at the Kitchen, they share their unique ‘Ital’ method of food preparation.
3. The Labyrinth: This is a spiritual journey for participants to promote deep thought and clear breathing.
4. The Herb Garden: There are over 90 different herb beds, and visitors are introduced to the medicinal and healing qualities and uses.
5. The Big Hut: Musical interaction and discourse, a completely sharing experience.
6. The Craft Centre: This is where the visitor has an opportunity to take back home a tangible memento of their experience.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND ACTION
VALUES
The Rastafari Indigenous Village is a community development initiative.
It is licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board.
The Rastafari are all Authentic.
The Rastafari are concerned with:
self sustainable livelihoods: cultural, social, agricultural and economic development for community and nation building.
With education for life skills, skill development and the protection of the biodiversity of the island.
• In consideration of the environment and the potential for negative community impacts, they have a very strict carrying capacity of a maximum of 60 persons per tour.
• There may be two tours per day: 10am and 2:00pm.
• Advance booking is absolutely essential.
• A a collection service may be offered, if the group consists of six or more persons.
• Food and Drink is not served at the location – however, visitors are treated with fresh fruits of the season, herb teas and coconut water.
CONTRIBUTIONS
All contributions go to the development and sustainability of the Village and its related enterprises. Visitors are advised of this and invited to become partners in responsible tourism practices and saviors of the earth.
• Visitor contributions vary depending on the groups being hosted and services required.
• However, we have outlined our generic rates for groups and individuals:
Individuals and small groups – USD30.00.
Groups 25 – 60 – USD20.00 per person.
Children under twelve years of age are half price.
We will refine contributions where tours are modified i.e. changes in tour time and numbers.
Costs are also adjusted where transportation is to be included.
Should a group request lunch, this may be provided, however, consideration must be given to the principls involved in ‘Ital’.
Familiarization Visits are welcome
The Drumming Band: “Rastavillage Live may also visit you with ‘Their Mobile Experience’
