http://web.syr.edu/~affellem/rasdave.htmlRas David. Writes:
WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HAILE SELLASSIE I
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
On the 23rd July, Rastafarians the world over will be celebrating the birthday of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, Haile Sellassie 1.
What a day that was on the 23rd July, 1892, the air was still, as Ethiopia faced one of the many droughts to hit that part of Africa. Mystics in Ethiopia prophesied earlier, that, the birth of a blessed child would break the drought. And so it was, the thunder rolled and lightening flashed and the clouds burst forth rain as Woizero Yeshimebet, wife of Ras Makonnen gave birth to Tafari Makonnen at their country house at Ejersa Goro, outside Harar, Ethiopia. Mystically, Tafari was the only child out of ten between Ras Makonnen and Woizero Yesimebet to survive.
Even though Tafari's birth was foretold by the ancient prophets and that a certain air of mysticism surrounded it, I write this article to present a part of his life, and some of the works that he did, to be an example to those that are called by his name, Rastafari.
I must begin with the reality of good parenting, and being a positive role model for our children. Tafari was indeed a blessed child, but that by no means exempted him from life's tribulations. When Tafari was only a year and a half, his mother died in child-birth, leaving him to the care of his father, which made the bond between father and the son he yearned for, become closer and more intimate. When Tafari was a little under four years old, his father Ras Makonnen raised an army of 30,000 soldiers and rode to join his Emperor, Menelik II, in the famous battle of Adowa (March 1896), where the invading forces of Italy were annihilated. As time went by, Ras Makonnen's responsibilities became heavier, and this kept him away from home a lot, so he arranged to have Tafari raised with his second cousin Imru, so he fell under the guidance of Imru's father Fitawrari Haile Sellassie Abayneh. Even though this occurred, Ras Makonnen, whose personality comprised of a good mix of shrewdness, gentility, sophistication and political acumen, along with Fitawarari Abayneh, provided Tafari with apt role models.Therefore, as Rastafari parents we must ensure that we provide proper role models for our children to follow, foster within them the values of truth, honour, respect, love for others... remembering always, that these must be cultivated in oneself first, if it is to be passed on to them.
As a child Tafari's father always taught him to respect learning, especially the modern education then seeping into Ethiopia. The Ras recognized that the country had to change with the times, or fall pray to imperialism. He was determined that his son would learn the old traditions, together with the new lore and become one of Ethiopia's agents of modernization. At a very young age, the boys were tutored for and extra hour in French, by Dr. Joseph Vitalien, a Guadeloupean physician who ran the local hospital, they also enjoyed church school where they learned to be good orthodox Christians by studying Geez, Amharic, and the Psalms of David. Later on after 1903, he was sent to the Capsucin school run by father Jarosseau. Abba Samuel was appointed his tutor, a man whom Jarosseau hoped to provide an intellectual model for Tafari. Tafari was a very good student, his French tutor Dr. Vitalien remembered him to be an intelligent child, quick to learn, with a sweet disposition and a natural affection for his teachers. When asked about his childhood, in an interview with an Italian journalist, Haile Sellassie I , said, " We were a very serious, very diligent, very obedient youth. We were sometimes punished, but do you know why? Because what we were made to study did not seem enough and we wished to study further. We wanted to stay on at school after lessons were over." The Emperor emphasized the importance he attached to the education of youth by retaining for himself for several years the portfolio of the Minister of Education. He opened many schools and was instrumental in creating Ethiopia's first University. He said, " Education is the basis for greatness, the power, the pride and prosperity of a nation." Therefore, Rastafarians should educate their children, for it is suicide and a crime against the responsibility which God places in all parents not to do so.
Posted on: March 10, 2007, 04:45:10 pm
He showed himself to be such a remarkable student, that when Lidj ( "child" - a title reserved for the children of the high ranking nobility ) Tafari, as he was then called, reached the age of thirteen, His Highness Ras Makonnen, raised him to the rank of Dejazmatch,( " commander of the gate" ; a title of nobility equivalent to count. ), and appointed him governor of Gara Mulata. Some months later Ras Makonnen fell ill on his way to the capital to see Emperor Menelik II. The journey was discontinued and Ras Makonnen was taken back to Kulibi, near Harrar. He asked for his son and he was brought immediately. Tafari was at his father's bedside when he died in March, 1906. This left him without both parents at an early age, but the foundation was set, and he began to climb the ladder of the adult world at the age of thirteen. The orphaned Dejazmatch Tafari was called to Addis Ababa by Emperor Menelik II. He appointed him Governor of Sellale province in May 1906. Tafari accepted, but he was eager to continue his education, so he sought and gained the permission from the Emperor to rule Sellale through his personal representative, and to continue his education at the newly established Menelik II School. In March 1908, Dedjazmatch Tafari at the the age of sixteen, was made Governor of Sidamo by Emperor Menelik. At the age of twenty he married Woizero Mennen. In September 1916, after the death of Emperor Menelick II, the Council of State appointed Dedjazmatch Tafari as Regent and Heir to the Throne and was given the title of Ras ( "Head" - equivalent to Duke ). His status was raised to Negus (King) in October 1928 and then he went on to be crowned Emperor Haile Sellassie I, on 2nd November 1930. To show his great respect for the role of the woman, Sellasie broke tradition by having the coronation ceremony for his wife Empress Woizero Mennen follow his Coronation. Traditionally it was not permitted for her to be crowned on the same day as the Emperor.
There are so many aspects of Haile Sellassie's life that could be mentioned, but I choose to address two more fitting examples. He was an avid advocate for hard work, and the unity and brotherhood of man. About his love for work, he worked for twenty hours a day, with one hour for prayer and three hours for rest. When he was asked about the distribution of alms, and the poverty of some of his people,he said, " Rich and poor have always existed, and always will. Why? Because there are those that work and those that don't; those that wish to earn their living and those that prefer to do nothing. Those that work, that want to work, are not poor. For it is true that Our Lord the Creator sends as into the world as equals, but it is also true that when one is born one is neither rich nor poor. One is naked. It is later on that one becomes rich or poor, according to one's deserts. Yes, we too are aware that distribution alms serves no useful purpose. For there is only one means to solve the poverty problem; work."
With such an example, no Rastafari man, woman or child could justify sitting idle, just waiting for someone to give them something, for by the sweat of thy brow, you shall eat your bread. No time for petty excuses, for as Marcus Garvey said, " If you can't find work, make work, be creative". Put your creative energy to use, if you don't, you will end up docile, and incapable of positive action. I conclude this part by quoting H.I.M.,
" Unless a man undertakes more than he can possibly do, he will never be able to do all he can do."
About his love for justice, peace, unity and the brotherhood of man, Haile Sellassie I refined personal diplomacy into a fine art, especially in helping to bring about progress, peaceful transitions and development to Africa. In 1963 he personally invited all African Leaders to come to Addis Ababa, for a conference, and the Organization of African Unity ( O.A.U.) was created, with Addis Ababa being it's first Headquarters. He saw the need for an organization which would facilitate acceptable solutions to disputes among Africans and promote the study and adoption of measures for common defense and programs of cooperation in the economic and social fields. At the Conference of independent African States, he cautioned.... " Above all we must avoid the pitfalls of tribalism. If we are divided among ourselves on tribal lines, we open our doors to foreign intervention and its potentially harmful consequences.....
History teachers us that unity is strength and cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals, to strive with all our combined strength, for the path to true African brotherhood and unity."
Posted on: March 10, 2007, 04:46:12 pm
His personal diplomacy again played a crucial factor in the peaceful settlement of many African crises. In no instant did he seek victory of prestige or personal triumph. He always acted out of conviction or out of humanity. The Emperor's achievement in the universal service of justice, freedom and peace has been recognized by many outstanding personalities at that time. One of them, the late U.N. Secretary General Dag Hammarskjoeld, said of the Sovereign before the world body as early as 1954: " Your Majesty stands in the perspective of the history of our time as a symbolic landmark, a prophetic figure on the path of man's struggle to achieve international peace and security through concerted international action." A fitting tribute to a man who has contributed immensely to international understanding, cooperation and brotherhood in a world often prone to blind hate, prejudice and violence. I hereby call upon all Rastafarians to unite as one, to organize and centralize ourselves, and to practice the teachings of H.I.M., for we know that if we call on Sellassie I 's name, and we don't act on his principles, we would be calling his name in vain. As the bible says, Faith without work is dead . I pray, Sing unto god, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him..... Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. Psalms 68: 4/ 31
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalms 37: 37.
I close on wishing everyone a Happy Birthday Ises and may the Most High Guide and protect as all, now and for Iver. One Perfect Love Ras David.
E-mail: natty@carib-link.net N.B All roads lead to Barbados from the 17th - 27th August, 1998, for the first International Rastafari Conference, Trade Fair and Cultural Expo. For more information contact, members of the Organization for Rastafari Inity ( O.R.I. ) Phone: 675-5647 E-mail: natty@carib-link.net Ras David
