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Anniversary of
the Coronation
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie
By Sufia Giza
Emperor Haile Selassie I
Born on July 23, 1894 as Lij Taffari Makonnen
at Enjersa Goro outside the city of Harra
Parents: Ras Makonnen Wolde Michael, governor of Harra and
Woizero Yeshimebet Ali AbaJiffar
Crowned, Haile Selassie I, H.I.M, November 2, 1930
He is: Elect of God = His Imperial Majesty
AKA: Lion of Judah = Direct descendant of King
Solomon and Mekeda, Queen of Sheba
"The Conquering Lion shall break every chain."
The World was shown this after the temporary
occupation of Mussolini’s troops and mustard bombs
dropped on Ethiopia Land, then Selassie broke their
chain to keep the nation sovereign
When I & I first got
the request to pen something in honor of the Coronation of H. I.
M. the leading words were some facts and free verse thoughts on
who and what Haile Selassie I represents. Today the legacy
lives on as Ethiopia remains the
only African nation to withstand being conquered by outsiders;
Rastafarian culture is growing in popularity globally and; the
legend, Bob Marley spoke Selassie's words to power eternally in the
song, “War”, which was taken from a 1935 speech Haile Selassie
presented before the League of Nations. Many foreigners, African
Americans included, came to the aide of Selassie while Ethiopia was
under siege by Italy. Numerous brothers from the U.S and Caribbean
went to Ethiopia to fight with Selassie's army, among them the
"Negro Lindberg", Col. Hubert Julian, also known as the
Black Eagle of Harlem, who flew with the Imperial Army.
The support may have
been due to the 1920 prophecy by Marcus Garvey who said,
"Look to Africa for the crowning of a Black King." The King of Kings
was crowned ten years later; therefore, Selassie's Coronations (1928
& 1930) were seen as prophecy fulfilled and the entire African world
rejoiced and embraced the Emperor.
One amazing man who
supported Haile Selassie was Joel Augustus “J.A.” Rogers, an
African History Scholar from
 Jamaica
who resettled in Chicago, Illinois and authored six books including,
From Superman to Man, 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro
and The Real Facts About Ethiopia. Rogers traveled to
Ethiopia on several occasions, including for the Coronation, which
the November 3, 1930 issue of Time Magazine featured. Rogers
was also given Selassie's Coronation Medal as a token of
appreciation for his good works toward Ethiopia, since he covered
the Coronation as a correspondent for the New York Amsterdam News.
He also spent another year in Ethiopia in 1935 as a news
correspondent for the Pittsburgh Courier providing coverage of the
Italian occupation. He returned to the U.S. in 1936, the same year
that Selassie left Ethiopia and went into exile.
Haile Selassie I
wasn't revered solely by Black people all over the planet, but was
respected by all, as Time Magazine referred to him as, Elect of God,
so he stood at the foot of the caskets for numerous funerals of
world leaders from Europe to America. Enough praise and Ras-pect
due in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Coronation
of His Imperial Majesty, Negus of Negus, Conquering Lion of the
Tribe of Judah.
There's so much to
know and say about Selassie I that this brief expose could never so
justice in expressing the totality of who
and what H.I.M means to people, whether pro or con. The fact that
Haile Selassie represented the manifestation/resurrection of the
Black Christ allowed African people, for the first time in modern
history, to see God in their own image. That has left a profound
effect on the psyche of Black people, whether Rasta or not. Yet, at
the same time, the Rastafarian culture continues to grow amongst
peoples of all color and in all places on this planet. That speaks
volumes more about the legacy that Haile Selassie I, H. I. M. has
left on this entire world.
Jah! RasTafari! |
