Meaning
A Rastafari term of address and greeting for a brethren — an honoured 'higher one', hailing another Rasta with respect and unity. 'Yes, Iyah!' greets or affirms a fellow believer warmly, and to call someone 'Iyah' is to acknowledge their standing on the path. Playing on 'higher' and the exalted 'I' of Iyaric speech, it belongs to the whole Rastafari remaking of language around the sacred 'I', naming the brother as one lifted up, and it is among the warm, respectful hailings that bind the community.
Examples
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Bless up, Iyah!
Blessings, brethren!
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Yes Iyah, di reasoning sweet.
Yes brethren, the reasoning is sweet.
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Give thanks, Iyah, fi di livity.
Give thanks, brethren, for the livity.
Origin
From 'higher' merged with the Rastafari exalted 'I'; a respectful term of address among Rastafari, hailing the divine 'I' in the other.
How it’s used
A Rasta greeting/address for a brethren ('higher one'). Compare 'bredren', 'i-man', 'ites'.