“Hetepo: peace and blessings,” Heru Ankh Ra Semaj said when he entered The BVI Beacon office on Friday.
Born James Georges, the New York resident wore a loose white outfit accessorised with a green scarf and lots of conspicuous jewellery. Three chains with pendants circled his neck, and one of his large rings took the shape of an ankh — a cross topped with a loop.
This symbol, he said, represents eternal life and a belief system with a high regard for women.
“I always put it in my pictures,” Mr. Semaj said of the ankh, which, like the rest of his jewellery, he made himself.
The Virgin Islander, who visits the territory at least twice a year, is a priest, he said. Wherever he goes, he spreads Kemeticism, a religion based on a revival of ancient Egyptian beliefs that started to gain popularity in the United States in the 1970s.
Apart from enjoying the natural beauty of the territory during his visit, the father of five also delivered a lecture about his spirituality to a small gathering at Mellow Moods Café on Dec. 29.
See the Jan. 10, 2013 edition for full coverage.
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