Meaning
A Rastafari holy gathering marked by drumming, chanting, reasoning, and dancing that can last through the night. The most important 'groundation' (or 'grounation') is held on 21 April, marking the day in 1966 when Emperor Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica, and such gatherings are among the most sacred occasions of the faith. Drawing the community together in Nyabinghi drumming and prayer, the groundation is a time of deep spiritual communion, celebration, and the strengthening of livity and inity among the brethren and sistren.
Examples
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Wi a keep a groundation pon di 21st.
We are holding a groundation on the 21st.
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Di drums beat all through di groundation.
The drums played all through the gathering.
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Elders lead di reasoning at di groundation.
Elders lead the discussion at the gathering.
Origin
Coined from English 'ground' plus 'foundation', with 'grounation' reflecting the Jamaican pronunciation. It names the practice of gathering on the ground to commune and reason.
How it’s used
A sacred occasion. The Nyabinghi order in particular keeps groundation with formal drumming and chant.