Rastafaris - Ethiopian-Jamaican Connection

Introduction

Bob Marley & Reggae Music

Ras Tafari - King Haile Selassie of Ethiopia
Lion of Judah
Rastafari's & Ethiopia Today

Indepth

Time - Person of the Year 1935
King Haile Selassie - UN Speech
Googlisms: Haile Selassie
Googlisms: Rastafari

Rastafarians and fans of roots rock reggae music have had more awareness of and connection with Ethiopia. The connection culminated recently in the 60th birthday celebration of Bob Marley in Ethiopia, a long journey of a connection that started in the late 1930's and strengthened in the 1960's.

A quick introduction to novice readers, Rastafaris are followers of a religious movement which professes higher self awareness, repatriation to Africa, adhere to the laws of nature, and regard former Ethiopian King Haile Selassie as divine; hence their name is derived from his title and name Ras Tafari ("Head/Governor" Tafari) prior to his coronation.

Bob Marley & Reggae Music
Rastafari movement was introduced to the wide world through Bob Marley and his music. His rebel and empowerment music was a hit on all corners of the world from South America to Japan and in the process his fans adopted his Rastafari dreadlocks and parts of his views. His importance in the music world was summed up by Time Magazine's selecting him in 2000 as the "Musician of the Millennium" above Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Beatles, Elvis... this showed his worldwide audience he had and still has today.

Bob Marley's music talked about African Repatriation and Ethiopia, introducing millions and millions to African Liberation movement, Ethiopia and the Ethiopian flag. His music is as popular in Ethiopia across generations.

Ras Tafari - King Haile Selassie of Ethiopia
Ras Tafari's full name prior to coronation was Tafari Mekonnen, the term 'Ras' means "Head or Governor" as he was the Governor of the Harrar Provencial State in East Ethiopia prior to his ascention to the throne.

King Haile Selassie ascended to the throne in 1930's that year he graced the covers of TIME Magazine as the "Person of the Year 1935", soon after his coronation he led Ethiopia's fight against colonialist Italy in 1935. Haile Selassie visited the US as guest of President Kennedy and also visited Jamaica in the 1966. Haile Selassie was overthrown by military/socialist/youth movement in 1974 and was soon killed while in the military's captivity.

Lion of Judah
The Lion of Judah is the Royal sign of the Ethiopian Royal family. The Royal family traces back its ancestry to King Menelik son of Queen of Sheba of Ethiopia and the great wise Kind Solomon of Israel from Biblical times. The Lion of Judah is called "Ye-Moa Anbessa, Ze-me Negede Yuhida" in geez, the latin of Ethiopia in which church texts and old texts were passed down.

Rastafaris and Ethiopia Today
Rastafaris across the world have thought about visiting Ethiopia one time or another; recently these thoughts came true for most as they attended Bob Marley's 60th Birthday 1 month long celebration in Ethiopia. Tens of thousands came from all over the world and Ethiopia's capital and 'Shashemene' a town 2 hours outside of Addis Ababa where a Rastafarian community from Jamaica lives had many welcomed visitors.