Haile Selassie in his study at the palace (1942)
Integral to Rastafarian belief is that Jah, or God, was reincarnated as the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie. (Many people may believe the Rastafarian movement has all of its roots in Jamaica. But it also has strong connections to Ethiopia.) Rasta’s believe Selassie is the Messiah. To them he represents the Holy Trinity: God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Haile Selassie was born Tafari Makonnen on July 23, 1892 in Ejarsagoro, Harar, Ethiopia. In 1911 he married Wayzaro Menen, the daughter of Emperor Menelik II. Makonnen then became known as Ras (Prince) Tafari Makonnen. In 1916, at the age of 24, he became heir to the throne and regent to the Empress Zauditu, and In 1930 Makonnen succeeded the Empress to become the 111th emperor in the succession of King Solomon. He then changed his name to Haile Selassie (“Might of the Trinity”).
During his rule, Emperor Selassie modernized Ethiopia, and in 1935, led the country’s resistance against invasion from Italy. In 1936, Selassie made an appeal to the League of Nations to take action against Italy for their use of chemical weapons against his people. At that time, he was the only independent black ruler in Africa.
Rastafarians, many of whom live in Jamaica, see Selassie as being worthy of worship because of his dignified appeal to the League of Nations and his efforts in moving Ethiopia forward. Rastas believe Ethiopia is Zion (the land promised to them by Jah). They claim Selassie’s coming was prophesied in the Book of Revelation, and Rastas refer to him as the “King of Kings” or “Jah Rastafari.” The name “Rasatafari” comes from Selassie’s own birth name.
In 1948 Selassie donated Ethiopian land at Shashamane, about 155 miles (250 km) south of Addis Ababa, for the use of Blacks from the West Indies. Numerous Rastafarian families settled there and many still live there today. His first visit to Jamaica was in 1966, and until that time he never confirmed or denied his divinity.
