Meaning
The oldest and most orthodox order of Rastafari, and the sacred drumming-and-chanting gathering ('grounation') at its heart. A Nyabinghi session uses three hand drums — bass, funde, and repeater (akete) — under chanted hymns and 'reasoning' that can last for days. The word also names the roots of reggae's heartbeat rhythm and the spirit of righteous resistance to Babylon.
Examples
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Di bredren dem gaddah fi a Nyabinghi.
The brethren gathered for a Nyabinghi (drumming assembly).
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Nyabinghi drum a di heartbeat a reggae.
Nyabinghi drumming is the heartbeat of reggae.
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Chant an drum go on all night at di binghi.
Chanting and drumming went on all night at the Nyabinghi.
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Di elders keep a Nyahbinghi fi celebrate di coronation.
The elders held a Nyahbinghi to celebrate the coronation.
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Di Nyahbinghi drumming go on all through di night.
The Nyahbinghi drumming went on all through the night.
Origin
From an East African resistance figure/movement ('Nyabinghi'), adopted by Rastafari for its most orthodox order and its sacred drumming. See Groundation, Rasta.
How it’s used
The oldest Rastafari order and its sacred drum-and-chant assembly; source of reggae's rhythmic roots. See Groundation, Burru. Often shortened to 'binghi' or 'binggy': to 'keep a binggy' or 'chant binghi' is to hold or join the drumming gathering.