Emperor Haile Selassie Photo Credit: United States Farm Security Administration
The Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, King of Kings of Ethiopia, Elect of God was the last emperor of the Solomonic Dynasty that ruled Ethiopia until September 12, 1974, when he was deposed at the age of 82.
Born Ras Tafari Makonnen, Haile Selassie – whose names mean “Power of” (Haile) and “Trinity” (Selassie) which translates to wit as “Power of the Trinity” – was everything from a monarch to the returned messiah as believed by the Rastafari movement which reveres him as God incarnate. He was also the Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) from 1963 to 1964 and 1966 to 1967.
His coronation ceremony as emperor on November 2, 1930, was a majestic affair, bringing in some of the world’s top leaders including Britain’s Prince Henry. The event was said to have also cost about $3,000,000 at the time.
In the ceremony, Emperor Haile Selassie I was covered in gold-embroidered scarlet vestments, and was presented with a gold sword studded with precious stones and an imperial sceptre made of gold and ivory. He also received a golden globe of the world, a diamond-encrusted ring, and two traditional lances filigreed in gold.
To mark the 90th anniversary of his coronation, Face2Face Africa shares with you 10 of his greatest quotes:
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