On the 23rd of July 1892 a child was born to Ras Makonnen
and Wayzaro Yashimabet of the Ethiopian province of Harar.
His father was a mighty ambassador and cousin of the Ethiopian
Emperor Menelik II. The child was named
Tafari Makonnen and his birth was the fulfillment of the
prophecy being a direct descendant of the ancient line of
David and Solomon and Queen Makeda of Ethiopia.
From his earliest days as a youth, the young Tafari showed
and displayed knowledge far beyond his tender years. All who
came in contact with him marvelled at his excellence in judgment.
His knowledge and insight was such that from an early age
he was instrumental in the shaping of Ethiopia's destiny bringing
this ancient kingdom to embrace the modern world that had
now emerged around her.
Active as governor of his own city of Harar when he was only
19, the young Tafari continued to rise and in 1916 was subsequently
made Crown Prince and heir to the Throne of Ethiopia with
Empress Zaudita, Menelik's daughter as head of state.
At
the age of 38 Ras Tafari ascended the throne of Ethiopia becoming
Emperor
Haile Selassie I, meaning Power of the Holy Trinity, and
the 225 Emperor of Ethiopia directly from the Solomonic Line
of Kings. He also received the title of King of Kings, Lord
of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Defender
of the Faith and Light of the World.
His Imperial Majesty is the victor over Italian Fascism in
1941 and his works in championing the cause of African Brotherhood
has made him the father figure of African UNITY. His Imperial
Majesty is internationally acclaimed as one of the world greatest
statesman of the twentieth century and his works for the integrity
of mankind, equal rights and justice is unparalleled.
He alone is the uniting force for the millions of Africans
taken away into slavery and scattered in the four corners
of the earth and from the time of His Coronation, He was observed
to be the returned Messiah by those who now bear his name
RASTAFARI.
I an'I of the Rastafari faith observe Emperor Haile Selassie
I in his full glory as God on earth in the physical of man.
(from "Year of the Creator" 1992 Centenary of
His Majesty)
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