Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Black Hebrews In Dimona



"A phenomenon in the land of phenomena", as someone cleverly put it, referring to the community of the Black Hebrews in Israel.

The Black Hebrews, black americans originally from Chicago, believe they're the descendants of an ancient israelite tribe. They moved to Israel in 1968 (some 50 years ago) with a pitstop of over two years in Liberia, and settled  in the  desert city of Dimona.(some of them live in the cities of Jerusalem, Mizpe Ramon, Arad ).The spiritual, charismatic founder and leader of this movement, Ben Ammi Carter, died several years ago.

the Dimona neighborhood

We were rather late and tired when we reached the neighborhood of the Black Hebrews in  Dimona. However, curiosity kept us alert and well on our feet.


conference hall

We were greeted by two members of the community : a young woman, named Naghila, and an elderly, tall man - both dressed in orange- colored outfits. They split us into two groups and showed us around, after an introductory briefing, and a questions - answers exchange in the 'conference hall.'



Nagila, the hostess , in an orange dress



male  host in orange- colored outfit under coat

What immediately catches the eye in this neighborhood ,is the emphasis on bright, live coloured outfits (orange, red, white, yellow, blue, pink), and the storage sheds attached to the small houses.

In addition to the orange colour (in the above photos), we saw kids playing soccer dressed in red , some other kids clothed in blue and white; the two kids in the header wore pink outfits. I rather liked that colorful display of garments. It created an optimistic atmosphere.


kids playing soccer in red clothes

blue cap /pants for the boy, white bandana; red outfit for the girl

Small, tightly spaced single story houses and  an average of five children per family, naturally  create crowded conditions.  So, the storage sheds seem to be a Must here, and an integral part of the landscape.


house + storage shed (white fence)

storage sheds,  paved passage

more storage sheds

It should be mentioned in connection to the crowded conditions, that the Black Hebrews permit polygamy and forbid birth control. (It is believed that the practice of polygamy has stopped, after a certain agreement reached with the government of Israel).

nice house front !


standard  with  gas containers, tiny garden, shed, laundry on wire

The Black Hebrews maintain a strict vegan way of life, growing much of their food, and  wearing clothes made only of natural fabrics (cotton, wool, silk). We've seen a vegan restaurant, a small vegan grocery store, a vegan ice-cream shop, and some gardens with organic growths. 


organic little garden

tables at the vegan restaurant


grocery store


ice-cream display case


As part of their belief in a healthy life style, the members of the community also practice exercising, and keep away from pharmaceutical  or illegal drugs and alcohol. (I've noticed a facility called 'health sanctuary').

The Black Hebrews appear to be active and creative. They are engaged in crafts, and the women have a sewing studio offering sewing services to the community members. 
Among other things, they have established a gospel choir which is well known both in Israel and in the USA.


sewing studio

Although they don't see themselves as belonging to any particular religion , they do observe major religious traditions and customs that are biblical (Sabbath, Yom Kippur, Passover...), and express their intent to live according to the laws and prophecies of God.

I remember reading in some article that the late Ben Ammi Carter stated in an interview that there will never be peace  in the world by way of.politicians. How true!.

It was a short visit but quite enlightening.


26 comments:

  1. Wow! Imagine moving to the other side of the world like that, from Chicago to Israel. And what a life of purpose! Amazing story. I am inspired when people go their own way.

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    1. Indeed. When I first heard about them, in the late sixties,I felt appreciation, even admiration for the way they dared turn their back on american society.

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  2. Do they actually refer to themselves as "Black" Hebrews ? Orange outfits - wow ! They seem to be a warm & friendly people. Vegans in this day & age ? Incredible ! Polygamy - thank god they have agreed to stop this practice !

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    1. Yes. They're also called 'black israelites' or 'hebrew israelites'.I think they prefer the term hebrew israelites.

      To be vegan requires a certain self-discipline which they seem to possess.

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  3. thats fascinating! so they welcomed you in as kind of a tour? i bet it is such a peaceful and happy community with the healthy living, etc.

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    1. They welcome organized tours like the one I was on. Besides having a good opportunity to show us who they are, I think they get paid some fee by the tour organizers ;so do the museum, the camel farm, or Mamshit park . These places offer touristic services, so to speak.

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  4. Well if they don't mind living in the scorching desert, who are we to complain :)

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    1. Actually, desert kind of weather is perhaps more suitable for them as their ancestors originate from Africa. If you ask me , I also prefer the warm, even hot climate to the cold one.

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  5. Never heard of them, and amazing since I live so close to Chicago and they traveled so far. I'm wondering, seems a little strange to me that they'd like tours through the neighborhood, did you have to pay for the tour? And why are they living in such cramped conditions with all the sheds, why not move to another area with more room for their large families? Interesting post, Duta!

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    1. There's nothing wrong with them showing their neighborhood to others and explaining about their way of life.
      No, they don't charge money for the tour. I just think that perhaps the tour organizers paid them for the time and for the hot drinks put at our disposal in the gathering room.

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  6. Imagine a vegan Seder. Wasn't there a lost tribe of Israel that returned that was black? Could these be the people? Doesn't sound like it though. I'm thinking they speak Hebrew. Did you communicate well? Did you eat in their community? Beautiful garden you showed. Interesting place for sure!

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    1. They do speak Hebrew, so no communication problem. Some of us bought ice cream. We didn't have time to try the vegan restaurant.

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  7. A very intriguing post, as usual, Duta. I really was engaged by these black Hebrews and their traditions...and their discipline! Your posts are like reading history books, except they don't put me to sleep! Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

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    1. Thanks Poppy. I'm very flattered by your words that my posts are like history books that don't put one to sleep.

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  8. I have not heard of this group. I learn so much from your posts! So interesting, love their colorful clothes. Their community looks so neat. I like to hear of people who live good lives

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    1. I'm glad, Kim, you feel you learn something from my posts.
      There are many people out there that believe that a vegan life is the good life.

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  9. Again your post is very informative. Thanks as I always feel more rounded in knowledge when I leave. As for vegan my son had a friend who went that route and her skin and hair began to suffer and when she added meat Proten it recovered. Peace

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    1. Something like that happened to me too. I once gave up eating eggs and meat, and the result was hairloss. I went back to eating animal protein and the hair recovered. I must admit, however, that I still don't eat much meat.

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  10. You have the most amazing adventures! Thank you for sharing your travels. It is important to understand other cultures, traditions, and values, I believe.

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    1. Thank you. I agree with you on the importance of learning about and trying to understand other cultures.

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  11. I must agree with several of the previous comments, Duta, that I have been learning a lot through these posts about places you visit. These people seem to be very friendly and willing to share about their lifestyle practices.
    Also thank you very much for your recent comments on my house-less post. We are finding our new apartment living to be much more freeing and as you said much more practical with no yard chores needed and if something breaks we just notify the management office and it gets repaired.

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    1. You're welcome.
      These people are proud of their way of life which is mainly based on sharing and veganism. They seem to be willing to teach us too the principles of this kind of life.

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    2. Exercise and healthy eating, peacefullness and creativity sound like good things to incorporate into a way of life! You`re such a natural anthropologist , I think you could write a book about your explorations and adventures and different groups that live peacefully together!

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    3. Thanks for your kind words.
      I sure agree with you about the four principles that make for a good, healthy life.

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  12. I love her bright orange outfit, and the people seem to be thriving in their community with crafts, sewing, and choir.

    Interesting post, Duta.

    ~Sheri

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    1. She made the dress herself; she told us so. The fabric is beautiful and since she's slim, the dress fits her perfectly.

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