"To my mentor leader teacher Councilor a guiding light not just for me but to all that knew him or even met just once . Honorable Priest Philip Blyden affectionately called Jah B . My relationship with Priest started before I met him as my other brothers Jah Jay and Jah Ryan would travel to Nassau to attend Sabbath service at fire trail grounds of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress ( E.A.B.I.C.). Jah Rye as we call him would always come back with some bush medication roots wine he got from a Priest. After a year of this I saw the transformation of the small group of friend who was rastas become more discipline more upright with high principal and chanting BoBoshanti ideology which sound and looked good to me I wasn't convince of their new practices but one thing I did like was the roots wine. But as I asked more bout the Boboshanti's a few names would come up but one name always was called Priest Blyden. As some point I was advised to stop asking question and just go to Nassau and spend a Sabbath and if I go I must find Priest Blyden to which I did. A trip I never thought would be such a profound life changing experience in so many ways .. I found my faith and a mentor all in one visit to the E.A.B.I.C. On our first meeting we talk for hours something we still did on a regular. Me being one always wanting to learn more found the perfect teacher in Jah B his knowledge always amazed me because I always feel as if I'm very knowledgeable on an array of topics but when I might know bout world and pan- African events Jah B can always bring a more in-depth view of the same event. Knowledge was one of the most exciting thing bout the Priest something he freely shared. In the late 90's was my first involvement in the activism standing with Jah B and the Rastafarian community against the Government of The Bahamas and the Ministery of Education. Watching Priest Blyden I realized this wasn't a passion of his that energize him in to activism but a true knowledge of right and wrong and his natural nature to fight against wrong when and where ever it might be , something he did without fear . A spark that started in Nassau but would Forever burn bright with the Boboshanti community in Grand Bahama where we would rejoice when he came to visit with us. After moving to Nassau Priest Blyden came a constant source of inspiration for me with almost daily conversation most lasting for hours with his insight and his love of sharing knowledge and with me he had a sponge ready to soak up all he had to give. In 2018 Jah B asked me to join the House Of Rastafari to help with the communication and technology of the organization. After telling me about the organization's golds it was an easy choice to join Priest Blyden as this was what we always spoke about. The unification of all Rastafarians near and far under one banner even if we have differences. To this Priest Blyden was very successful even if its still work to be done. Work that Jah B had diligently pursued with the help of the H.O.R Executives team to which he was the Chairman. In the what would be his last weeks with us in the human form Jah B was able to help plan for the establishment of the H.O.R Farmers co-op, H.O.R Credit Union and H.O.R. Food Bank just to name a few achievements. Jah B started works that the H.O.R executive team will continue on with like his prison minister, the H.O.R monthly newsletter, and H.O.R future in the cannabis industry and so much more. As a leader mentor Priest and sometimes father figure the Honorable Priest Blyden will forever be a shining light in my life and the Rastafarian community forever so I say as you now guide us from the ancestors' realms I love you I thank you more than I can express and everyday I'll miss you and our conversations. I cry today but will sing Jah praises again together in Zion . The battle field has loss a great general. Rest on my Priest.
Hon. Prophet Jah Mickey Bowe
2nd Vice Chairman
House of Rastafari
E.A.B.I.C member
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