Final Tribute to Ras Natty Baby: Emotion and Reflection in Richelieu
On Thursday, April 30, family, friends, and artists gathered in Richelieu to pay their final respects to Joseph Nicolas Emilien, better known as Ras Natty Baby. The artist's body was displayed at his home following his repatriation from India, marking the start of a solemn farewell ahead of the funeral scheduled for Friday, May 1.
To the rhythm of music and Rastafarian rituals, Ras Natty Baby spent his last night in his home in Richelieu. The emotions were palpable for his son Salem and daughters Marga and Haïma Emilien.
Salem shared the special relationship he had with his father: "Baby and I often spent time together. He lived on the second floor of the house while I stayed on the ground floor. We talked about music, life, and philosophy. Sometimes, we jammed together. We had started a musical project that we unfortunately couldn't finish. I hope to complete it later."
His daughter Haïma remembers her father as both loving and demanding. She emphasized his strong belief in education, convinced it was essential for escaping poverty.
"He was very strict about education. We took many private lessons," she revealed. Over time, their discussions evolved towards spirituality: "He often spoke to us about the messages in his songs and wanted us to apply them in our lives. He was a man full of wisdom."
Present at the wake, Junior Minister of Arts and Culture, Véronique Leu-Govind, paid tribute to the artist with whom she maintained regular contact. "We often communicated, especially during meetings at the ministry. Even during his illness, we stayed connected through messages and calls," she shared.
Beyond her role, her presence signifies solidarity. "I came to support the family in organizing the funeral. Along with the artists, we share the tasks. It feels like a family member," she added.
Joseph Varok Ravina, the Arts and Culture Commissioner of Rodrigues, was also present. He spoke of the artist's legacy and mentioned that a monument in memory of Ras Natty Baby could be erected in Rodrigues.
As a reminder, the artist passed away on Sunday, April 26, at the age of 72 in India, due to complications following heart surgery.
The vigil brought together a crowd to honor someone who, alongside Kaya, was one of the pillars of seggae music. Originally from Rodrigues, he leaves behind over 40 years of career and iconic tracks such as "Leve do mo pep," "Nuvel Vision," "Mo la misik," and "Seggae Survival."
Tributes will continue on Friday, May 1, with the transfer of the remains to the football field in Petite-Rivière starting at 10 AM, allowing the public to pay their respects. A religious ceremony will take place at 3:30 PM at the Saint-Cœur-de-Marie church, followed by burial.
