Haile Selassie I was crowned on November 2nd 1930, at Addis Ababa’s Cathedral of St. George. Haile Selassie I’s coronation was a lavish event attended by royals and representatives from all over the world. The New York Times reported on the expensive gifts received by the attendees and speculated that the celebrations may have cost more than $3,000,000. Time Magazine dedicated its iconic cover to the Emperor: it was a world sensation.
Soon after his coronation, Haile Selassie gave Ethiopia its first written constitution, which greatly restricted the powers of Parliament. Effectively, he was the Ethiopian government. Succession to the throne was restricted to his descendants and, the constitution stated, “the person of the Emperor is sacred, his dignity inviolable, and his power indisputable.”
For Rastas, he is God (or Jah) incarnate – the redeeming messiah.
Listen to Selections in Honor of Haile Selassie I
SOURCE: VP Recordss
