(no subject)
I did a little research online on the etymology of Rastafari. As I came upon websites I learned that the term itself is derived from the name of an Ethiopian King named Ras Tafari Makonnen. For all those who seem to think they believe in rastafarism, keep reading. "Ras" is used as an honerable title for the monarch of Ethiopia, just as the brittish use the term "kick, queen, etc." Ras Tafari Makonnen's other known name is Halie Selassie and is son to Ras Makonnen.
To surprise some of you, the time of Selassie's rule was influenced by the church and judiasm. Yes that is right. The Monarchy's ancestry has been tied to roots of descendent of Queen Sheba and King Solomon. His Uncle Menelik II was deposed as emperor, after finding he converted to Islam, thus moving the line of monarchy towards Selassie's family line. So you ever hear of the story of the lost children of israel that went to a far away land? (exodus) Well there are certain tribes in Africa (as in Kenya) that claim to be this tribe of lost jews.
Anyways, Selassie had no intent to start a cult religion named after him. He was a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He was highly regarded as a great emperor by the citizens of Ethiopia as well as the African diaspora (specificlly Jamaicans). He led the Ethiopia to careful and slow modernization, thus securing it's place in the League of Nations in 1932 (pre-United Nations). He abolished slavery, wrote the first constitution, allowed non-noble subjects into a bi-cameral legislature, and etc. Although his following years would lead to a tumultuous career as a monarch when the Imperialist colonial powers layed their spheres of inclunce in Africa. Italy tried to colonize the country again, but eventually lost to Brittish and Ethiopian patriot forces after serveal years.
Ras Tafari (Selassie) came back to Ethiopia after being exiled to England during the fighting. He tried to continue his rule with conservative policies which contrasted with the many leftist radical African governments that were more common during his era. He was eventually imprisoned immetiately following a millitary coup.
The media at the time reported that the Emperor died in prison on August 27, 1975, following complications from a prostate operation. However, his doctors denied that any complications had occurred and rejected the government version of his death. It is widely believed by historians that he was suffocated in his sleep, and his remains buried beneath the president's personal office. (On November 5th, 2000, the late Emperor was given an Imperial funeral by the Ethiopian Orthodox church, but the new post-communist Ethiopian government refused to give it the status of a state funeral.)
Amongst followers of Rastafarianism, a religion which developed in the 1930s in Jamaica under the influence of Marcus Mosiah Garvey's "Back to Africa" movement, Haile Selassie is regarded as a Black messiah who will lead the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora to freedom. Most Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie is still alive, and that his widely reported death was part of a conspiracy to discredit their religion. They believe he escaped death and went into hiding at the highest point of Mount Zion. (hence the use of mount zion in many regae songs).
The state visit of Selassie to Jamaica, during which the Emperor was greeted by massive screaming crowds, was reportedly quite unsettling for the monarch. After the visit, the Emperor is said to have told Ethiopian Orthodox Archbishop Abuna Yesehaq: "There is a problem in Jamaica.... Please, help these people. They are misunderstanding, they do not understand our culture.... They need a church to be established and you are chosen to go." He remained a devout member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church his entire life.
The Emperor's seat as a Knight of the Garter in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle had the unusual feature of a double-sided banner, one side representing the Emperor of Ethiopia, and the other for the Lion of Judah. He had originally asked for two seats.
And THAT my people is the etymology of RASTAFARI. Tales of Marcus Garvey will come another time. So to you potheads out there. Do you really think your rastafari? or do you believe or support the religion? do some research and tell me what you guys come up with.
"Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abanded. That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation. Until the colour of a man skin is no more significance than the colour of his eyes. That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race. Until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued but never attained." - Haile Selassie, United Nations.
These words sound familar to you? here's a hint to you "rastafarians"
-War...................
P.S. Jah is short for Jehovah.
To surprise some of you, the time of Selassie's rule was influenced by the church and judiasm. Yes that is right. The Monarchy's ancestry has been tied to roots of descendent of Queen Sheba and King Solomon. His Uncle Menelik II was deposed as emperor, after finding he converted to Islam, thus moving the line of monarchy towards Selassie's family line. So you ever hear of the story of the lost children of israel that went to a far away land? (exodus) Well there are certain tribes in Africa (as in Kenya) that claim to be this tribe of lost jews.
Anyways, Selassie had no intent to start a cult religion named after him. He was a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He was highly regarded as a great emperor by the citizens of Ethiopia as well as the African diaspora (specificlly Jamaicans). He led the Ethiopia to careful and slow modernization, thus securing it's place in the League of Nations in 1932 (pre-United Nations). He abolished slavery, wrote the first constitution, allowed non-noble subjects into a bi-cameral legislature, and etc. Although his following years would lead to a tumultuous career as a monarch when the Imperialist colonial powers layed their spheres of inclunce in Africa. Italy tried to colonize the country again, but eventually lost to Brittish and Ethiopian patriot forces after serveal years.
Ras Tafari (Selassie) came back to Ethiopia after being exiled to England during the fighting. He tried to continue his rule with conservative policies which contrasted with the many leftist radical African governments that were more common during his era. He was eventually imprisoned immetiately following a millitary coup.
The media at the time reported that the Emperor died in prison on August 27, 1975, following complications from a prostate operation. However, his doctors denied that any complications had occurred and rejected the government version of his death. It is widely believed by historians that he was suffocated in his sleep, and his remains buried beneath the president's personal office. (On November 5th, 2000, the late Emperor was given an Imperial funeral by the Ethiopian Orthodox church, but the new post-communist Ethiopian government refused to give it the status of a state funeral.)
Amongst followers of Rastafarianism, a religion which developed in the 1930s in Jamaica under the influence of Marcus Mosiah Garvey's "Back to Africa" movement, Haile Selassie is regarded as a Black messiah who will lead the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora to freedom. Most Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie is still alive, and that his widely reported death was part of a conspiracy to discredit their religion. They believe he escaped death and went into hiding at the highest point of Mount Zion. (hence the use of mount zion in many regae songs).
The state visit of Selassie to Jamaica, during which the Emperor was greeted by massive screaming crowds, was reportedly quite unsettling for the monarch. After the visit, the Emperor is said to have told Ethiopian Orthodox Archbishop Abuna Yesehaq: "There is a problem in Jamaica.... Please, help these people. They are misunderstanding, they do not understand our culture.... They need a church to be established and you are chosen to go." He remained a devout member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church his entire life.
The Emperor's seat as a Knight of the Garter in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle had the unusual feature of a double-sided banner, one side representing the Emperor of Ethiopia, and the other for the Lion of Judah. He had originally asked for two seats.
And THAT my people is the etymology of RASTAFARI. Tales of Marcus Garvey will come another time. So to you potheads out there. Do you really think your rastafari? or do you believe or support the religion? do some research and tell me what you guys come up with.
"Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abanded. That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation. Until the colour of a man skin is no more significance than the colour of his eyes. That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race. Until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued but never attained." - Haile Selassie, United Nations.
These words sound familar to you? here's a hint to you "rastafarians"
-War...................
P.S. Jah is short for Jehovah.