Ethiopians Struggle with Rastafarian Religious Tenets at Bob Marley Fest

Khaleej Times ^ | 7 February 2005 | staff

[rface]

Dateline: April 1966 - Time Magazine

Thus last week did Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, Lion of Judah, King of Kings and Elect of God, begin a week's visit to the three tiny Negro countries of Trinidad-Tobago, Jamaica and Haiti. .......

At Selassie's second stop, in Kingston, Jamaica, the airport was mobbed by 2,000 members of a minority Negro cult called the Rastafarians, who worship Selassie as God and want the Jamaican government to send them "home" to Ethiopia. Prrime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante, 82, has discouraged such repatriation, saying wryly: "We must protect them. They would just get out there in the jungle and be trampled by elephants and eaten by the lions." Undiscouraged the Rastas showed up at the airport waving placards reading "Hail to the Lord Anointed" and chanting "Selassie is Christ" and "Welcome to our God and King." Somewhat taken aback, Selassie was quickly bundled into a waiting car and rushed to a reception, where he observed politely that he had found the welcoming demonstration "beyond my expectations."

[Citizen James]

"there are millions of Christians throughout the world, your Imperial Majesty, who regard you as the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

Selassie's answer: "I had heard of that idea. I also met certain Rastafarians. I told them clearly that 'I am a man,' that 'I am Mortal,' and that 'I would be replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make a mistake in assuming or pretending that the human being is emanated from a deity.'"

They wont even listen to their own God's instructions, what does that tell you?

[LauraleeBraswell]

They are harmless, Pot heads are just too high to pose a threat to anyone.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Umm, that they were just smoking a sacrament.

[cyborg]

rasta ping

[rface]

I find articles like this interesting in a "comparative religion studies" way.

I am also interested in learning more about the history of Ethiopia .... especially how Ethiopia and Christianity and the Jews are tied together (ark of the covenant and early Christianity)

[cyborg]

Ethiopian advantage is their written language. Ethiopia history is truly fascinating. I work with rastas and for the younger people I dare not bring up anything about Haile Selassie I.

[Citizen James]

Are you refering to that Graham Hancock book? I picked it up at a yard sale, haven't read it yet... looks interesting...

[rface]

Are you refering to that Graham Hancock book?

I don't know this book

[Citizen James]

[rface]

I looked up the book at AMAZON - but I don't think I have ever seen the book. The Learning Channel, or Discovery Channel have a special ( a couple years ago) about Ethiopia and I have seen that. Maybe this TV program used the author of the book as a source

[Mears]

Thanks for posting this. I had no idea that The Rastafarians were followers of Haile Selassie.

[Citizen James]

Now my interest is sparked... of to my library...

[cyborg]

He is GOD to them. Despite the fact that he protested their prostrations, Ras-tah Iron Like a Lion in Zion was crowned Lord and Savior.

[wardaddy]

You don't follow Snoop much do you dear.

[fortress]

In the early 70's I went to a Bob Marley concert here in Portland. I just liked his music, but didn't know much about Rastafarians and we were greeted by people carrying signs: to beware of false prophets.
I had no clue at that time that he really was one (a false prophet)
BTW the music was great, but the air was quite heavy there.
Rein

[beaver fever]

Given that Haile Selassie's real name is Rast Fari and he is belived to be descended from the Queen of Sheba, I can see how you mignt be confused.

[Coleus]

What are these Rastafarians about? I see them everywhere with their dreadlocks.

there's some tech guy I see on NBC whose wearing them, I think they are fake and are sewn on.

[sheik yerbouty]

The mention of Ras Tafari would cause much vexation in some circles..

[cyborg]

Not everyone with locks are rasta. True rastas are few in number. Most Americans who are rasta are posers, using it as excuse to smoke weed. Some men's locks look fake because they're long and so on but they're most likely real. I've seen all kinds where I work.