Haile Selassie - Negro Messiah
a/k/a Ras taFari
My Life and Ethiopia's Progress: The Autobiography of Emperor Haile Sellassie
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Their neighbors on all sides were assaulted and destroyed in the rise of Islam, they remained steadfast in their beliefs and culture.
He was given the coronation name King Negus Negusta. He became Emperor in 1930 It was at this point he was given the name Haile Selassie, which in the Ethiopian language is "Power of the Trinity". His pre-coronation name was Ras Tafari. He was also given the traditional title "King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah" which is an honorary title given to all Ethiopian Kings
1892: Born near Harar {1883 according to the Ethiopian calendar}
1928: Ascends to throne of Shoa
1930: Ascends to Imperial Throne
In 1935, Italy, invaded the country. Led by Haile Selassie, the troops went to battle against the Italians. The Italians were too strong and defeated the Ethiopian army and Selassie went into exile. Haile Selassie's War
1936: Exiled after Italian invasion
1941: Returns to Addis Ababa
1966: Visited Jamaica
In 1962 Selassie's son, Asfa Wossan lead an unsuccessful coup against his father. His was forgiven but the other leaders of the coup were executed.
1962: Wife, Empress Menen dies
In 1974, Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown by the Marxist dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in a coup
1975: Dies mysteriously while in custody
In 1992 after the Marxist government was overthrown, the remains of Emperor Haile Selassie were found buried under a toilet in the Imperial Palace. The body was exhumed and moved to a mausoleum in Addis Ababa.
A strong Isis cult remained common to both Egypt and Ethiopia. There also seems to have been a strong Jewish cultic tradition based on pre-Talmudic Judaism in which governor-high-priests ruled over the people. After these priest there appeared kings known as Malkanas, who later took the name negashi—which meant treasures and collectors; later this name became Negus Negast, which is translated today as King of Kings. Ethiopian Christianity is a unique mixture of the old and the new, continuing from the fourth century A.D. to the present.
Ethiopian Christianity represents a branch of the church that separated with Western Christianity and the Eastern Orthodox church over the interpretation of the nature of Jesus Christ. The Eastern and Western church hold that Jesus was both human and divine. The Coptic church and Ethiopian church believe that Jesus had only a divine nature.
Marcus Garvey
Meanwhile... on the Island of Jamaica in the West Indies, Marcus Garvey
The primary objectives of the Association was
"...to establish Universities, Colleges and Secondary Schools for the further education and culture for Negro Children to conduct a world-wide commercial and industrial intercourse."
He was instrumental in forming "Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World." It compiled grievances of the delegates against the wrong and injustices of Negro people; is demanded and insisted upon certain rights; Perhaps the most enshrined legacy of that convention was the presentation of the "Red, Black, and Green" flag and the symbolism of its colors: red for the "color of the blood which men must shed for their redemption and liberty," black for "the color of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong," and green for "the luxuriant vegetation of our Motherland." One of the tenets of this religion was that a Black Messiah was coming
In the Rastafarian religion founded by Marcus Garvey in Kingston, Jamaica. [Garveyite African Orthodox Church] Haille Selassie is believed to have been the Messiah that Garvey had prophesied. They consider the former Ethiopian emperor to have been a divine being, the Messiah, and the champion of the black race. Rastafarians consider themselves to be the ancient Hebrews who were exiled in Babylon. Rastafarians believe that they will never die as long as they remain true and faithful to Selassie.
Women's role in Rasta life is clearly a restricted one. They are child bearers, fire builders, cooks, and honored servants. They wear no make up or fragrances. They are not allowed to draw from the chillum. "Their dress must be modest, as dictated by Deuteronomy 22:5
Basically, they believe in a trans-cultural interpretation of the Old Testament. In it's present state Rasta farianism is an archaic conflicting package. Many outsiders ridicule the groups belief that the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie was the Messiah who came to Earth to reunite Africans -- If they believe it, it's their reality ---- ITS THEIR TRUTH. -- It must be so. As they continue to draw from the chillum perhaps his message becomes clearer.
- The history of the African Orthodox Church
- Selected Writings and Speeches of Marcus Garvey
- Black Moses: The Story of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association
- Reference Library of Black America
chillum = the part of a water pipe that contains the substance - tobacco , hashish, marijuanna - which is smoked; also : a quantity of a substance thus smoked
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