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Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes

King Saud’s Gift – 1966

“In this context, a notable event occurred in 1966 in Asmara, where King Saud Ibn Abdulaziz, who had been forced to abdicate two years earlier, was due to meet the emperor. To avoid a diplomatic imbroglio, Haile Selassie chose not to receive the king in Addis Ababa but to shift their meeting to Eritrea instead. King Saud came over two weeks beforehand in order to enjoy some rest and recreation on the Red Sea coast. On his arrival, he was met by my father Ras Asserate Kassa, who was governor-general of Eritrea at the time. One evening, the Saudi king asked Asserate Kassa to cast an eye over the presents that he had brought for the emperor. These included a monstrous grandfather clock mounted on a vast chest of drawers and two huge and extravagantly decorated vases maded of fire-gilded bronze. The king cannot have failed to notice the sceptical look of my father’s face. When asked if these gifts would be to the emperor’s taste, Ras Asserate replied, with all due diplomatic circumspection: ‘The emperor already has a great many vases and grandfather clocks’. With a sigh, King Saud enquired: ‘But what on earth doesn’t he have ?’ Quick as a flash, the viceroy responded: ‘A Mercedes 600 Pullman’. The king thanked him for the tip and directed his underlings to obtain such a car as quickly as possible. A call was hurriedly put through to the Mercedes-Benz factory at Unterrukheim, and the Swabian car manufacturer duly lived up to its reputation for reliability: 48 hours later, a six-door, burgundy-red Mercedes Pullman was standing outside the palace in Asmara, gleaming in the African sun. And when Haile Selassie arrived in the Eritrean capital a few days later, King Saud picked him up in the Mercedes and announced to him: ‘Your Majesty, this is your car!’.

(Taken from “King of Kings”, Asfa-Wossen Asserate, Haus Publishing, 2015 p. 211-212)

Categories
Haile Selassie I - Testimonies

The Afro-American Newspaper – July 24 1954

The Afro-American Newspaper, July 24 1954:

“HAILE’S GOLD MEDAL AWARDED TO ROGERS

By imperial command of Emperor, Haile Selassie, J.A. Rogers was summoned to the Waldorf-Astoria last Thursday, presented with a gold medal and given an order for 128 copies of Rogers’ book, ‘World’s Great Men of Color, 3000 B.C. to 1946 A.D.’. After the presentation, Mr. Rogers said:

‘This ought to squelch the belief held by some that he considers himself white and is not interested in colored Americans.

I first met him at his coronation in 1930.

At 61, the Emperor is in excellent health. He underwent a physical examination at Harknes Pavillion of the Presbyterian Hospital and passed with flying colors.’

Mr. Rogers revealed he is working on two new books.

One of them is a book of amazing facts entitled ‘Astonishing Facts About the Colored American, 1512 to the Present’.

Mr. Rogers says he has enought important facts to fill several volumes.

WORDING IN AMHARIC

The gold coin given him by the Emperor, is one of a thousand minted for the Emperor’s coronation and the wordings in Amharic.

Commenting on John Gunther’s story in the Reader’s Digest in which said Gunther the Ethiopians ‘consider themselves to be white no matter what their color is’, this is an entirely false interpretation.

‘Ethiopians do consider themselves the equal of anybody, which is something entirely different’, says Mr. Rogers.

ONLY IN U.S.

‘I discussed this with many of the highest Ethiopians. They regard themselves as black people – Africans’.”

*****

“ROGERS GUEST OF SELASSIE

Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia sent for and granted private audience to J.A. Rogers, Courier editorial page columnist, on the day of his departure.

The Emperor met Mr. Rogers in Ethiopia in 1930 at his coronation and again in 1935 when Mr. Rogers was in Addis Ababa as a Courier correspondent.”

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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies

Sir Abdullah Archibald Hamilton, Muslim Community of Great Britain – 1936

Shah Jehan Mosque
Woking, UK, August 26, 1936

“May it please Your Imperial Majesty,
In according Your Majesty our heartiest welcome on your visit to this Mosque, we may be permitted to give expression to our feeling of deep admiration for the manner in which Your Majesty has faced the great trial through which your country and people have recently passed and are still passing. It must, however, be a source of consolation to Your Majesty that the sympathies of the greater part of the world, including those of the great world of Islam, have been with your country and yourself throughout the grim struggle that has just ended in a disaster for Ethiopia.

Among other noble traits of character that have elicited well-deserved praise, the one that has specially appealed to us Muslims is the faith and trust in God which has all along characterised the acts of Your Majesty and your broadminded regard for all religions, which has been demonstrated by Your Majesty’s visit to this Mosque to-day.

Standing in Your Majesty’s presence, we cannot help recalling how, brutally persecuted at home, the first believers in Islam took refuge, on the Prophet’s advice, in the then country of Abyssinia, and how they were hospitably received by the Negus of the time and benevolently protected by him from the evil intentions of their enemies, who had come there to demand their forcible repatriation. Indeed, so vividly do we recall this thrilling episode of the Muslim history that as we speak we can see in our imagination Ja’far, the leader of the Muslim refugees, pleading with hope and fear the Muslim cause, weak in material resources, before the great Negus, and the monarch shedding tears of spiritual joy at the touching spiritual enthusiasm of the speaker.

By this gesture the country of Abyssinia not only proved itself the foster-mother of the Islamic religion, but also showed its appreciation of the message of that religion for the Ethiopian race. Subsequent history, of Islam and Abyssinia, shows that none of the parties has been unmindful of the significance of this mutual approach.

Bilal, the Abyssinian companion of the Prophet was given the highest rank among the believers and had the unique privilege of calling the faithful to Prayer. In one of his visions the Prophet saw him entering the Paradise ahead of all the believers. The love between him and the Prophet has given rise to a theme of spiritual romance, the only one of its kind in Muslim literature.

On the other hand, sheltered and encouraged by Abyssinia, Islam grew into an overwhelming political and cultural force. It sent its invincible armies to all the four corners of the world and conquered most of the countries from the extreme East to the extreme West. But not once during these triumphant marches and conquests did its generals feel like invading Abyssinia.

But, though never conquered by arms, the hold of Islam on the Ethiopian race, so early effected through spiritual appeal, has successfully defied all attempts at slackening through political and economic influences and adverse propaganda from outside. The spiritual march of Islam in Africa, we are proud to recall, has been going on steadily during all these centuries.

But, while turning over these forgotten pages of history, we are painfully aware that nothing now remains of that old order. Islam has been shorn of its political glory, and Abyssinia, that old and powerful Christian kingdom – the oldest in the world – is also lying humiliated. We may say, nevertheless, that the spiritual kinship which has subsisted between the people of Ethiopia and the Islamic world is still a living reality.

Your Majesty, Islam means submission – submission of the rebellious physical self to the spiritual self in man. It also means “peace”, as peace is the inevitable result of such a submission. As we see it, it has been the religion of all the spiritual leaders of humanity. Muhammad came not to destroy but to fulfil the mission of all these religious personalities, particularly that of Jesus Christ, of whose religion Your Majesty is a devout follower – to fulfil it in the inter-racial and international relations of humanity. As we are glad to be able to say that though long averse to giving it a patient hearing, the people of the West have already begun to appreciate the Message of Islam – a phenomenon of which this Mosque, standing before you, is an indication.

Indeed, the power of Islam to unite diverse races and colours of the world in a spiritual confraternity, is now recognized even by those who are the most active in  calumniating it. Through Your Majesty we, on behalf of Islam in this powerful country of Great Britain, reaffirm to the Ethiopian race our old feelings of good-will and sympathy, at this time, when, in spite of the darkness of the political world, we have the pleasant surprise of finding the spiritual horizon of humanity brightening up with a new hope of recovery.

Thanking Your Majesty for the pleasure of your august company this afternoon, and praying for a better and a glorious future of the Ethiopian race.

We remain, Your Imperial Majesty’s humble fellow-believers in the Scriptures.”

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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies More Speeches of Haile Selassie I

The Indianapolis Star (US Newspaper) – December 25, 1955

The Indianapolis Star (US Newspaper), Sunday December 25, 1955

“HAILE SELASSIE URGES ‘CENTURY OF LIBERATION’

Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia has called upon the colonial powers to make the 20th Century a ‘century of liberation’ for peoples living under foreign domination.

The mild-mannered ‘Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah’ said in an exclusive interview:

‘We hope that all colonial and trusteeship territories of Africa will in the near future be called upon to decide freely as to their own destinies.

The striving of the peoples of Africa to this end should serve to advance the cause of freedom and world peace, in other parts of the world. The 20th Century should be known as the century of liberation.’

Haile Selassie who 20 years ago watched helplessly because of world neutralism when Mussolini’s divisions overran his country, emphatically rejected the ‘spirit of neutrality’ sponsored by India and Egypt. He declared:

‘Ethiopia, faithful to her traditions, never can be neutral insofar as questions of collective security are concerned.’ 

He suggested that the United States supply additional military and economic aid to Ethiopia because of the control his nation has over the souther entrance to the Red Sea ‘and hence over what is perhaps the most important strategic and commercial trade route in the world’.

The 65-year-old emperor who recently granted his people a liberalized constitution, received this correspondent in the imperial palace at Addis Ababa.

Following are some of the questions submitted and the emperor’s replies:

Q. ‘Do any practical means exist through which the co-operation and friendship of the peoples of Africa could best be gained?’

A. ‘Yes, through the attainment of this objective and the high ideals of nations who demonstrate a true comprehension and recognition of human rights throughout the world.’

Q. ‘Taking into consideration the existence of the two conflicting blocs and the possible danger of a third world war, what would be the role of Ethiopia as a strategically placed country holding a key position on the African continent?’

A. ‘Present international developments have emphasized the importance of the control which Ethiopia enjoys over the southern entrance to the Red Sea and hence, over what is perhaps the most important strategic and commercial trade route in the world. Ethiopia will always exercise that control conformably with the recommendations of the United Nations. Ethiopia firmly believes in collective security and in the maintenance of peace through collective security.’ 

Q. ‘What plans exist for the industrial development of Ethiopia and the modernization of its agriculture?’

A. ‘Some 10 years ago, a national planning board was established. The results today are already evident. New industries have been established and new agricultural products have been placed on the world markets, with the result that Ethiopia today is enjoying a period of unprecedented prosperity. This development is evident to any traveler who has had the occasion to visit Ethiopia more than once during the last decade. However, such progress constitutes only a beginning and by no means indicates that Ethiopia has attracted sufficient foreign capital and enterprises commensurate with the great potentialities which exist, although we have expended every effort to that end. Foreign assistance has been very limited and Ethiopia’s progress has been achieved almost entirely by her own unaided efforts. We hope, however, that the progress achieved should serve henceforth to encourage greater assistance and co-operation from abroad. We wish to assure those friendly countries which are aiding Ethiopia that in so doing they are at the same time aiding neighboring countries as well.’ 

Q. ‘In what respect could the United States be of assistance to Ethiopia ?’

A. ‘The programs of assistance which the United States of America is already carrying out in Ethiopia give an indication of the nature and extent of that assistance. Ethiopia is most grateful for this assistance. However, it is far from sufficient either in the economic or military fields in view of Ethiopia’s position and international responsibilities.’ 

Q. ‘Does the new constitution allow any provision for guaranteeing foreign private capital investment in Ethiopia ? And is the Imperial government, in principle, in favor of such investments for the development of the country’s productive prossibilities ?’

A. ‘Yes. Numerous provisions of the new constitution afford protection for foreign investments rarely found in other constitutions of the world. In addition, Ethiopia’s currency which is based on the U.S. dollar and is therefore a <<hard currency>> provides practical assistance that profits from foreign enterprises always can be exported from Ethiopia. Every month marks the arrival and establishment of increasing numbers of foreign enterprises in Ethiopia.’ “

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Ethiopian Orthodox Church

COMMON LIES THEM SPREAD ABOUT ETHIOPIAN FAITH


1)”The Bible came chronologically after the egyptian books.” FALSE

The Bible started with Enoch, being the first written prophet. His Book, that is the first Scripture of the World, is still kept ONLY in ethiopian language. He was an Ethiopian like all the fathers from Adam to Noah, living in Ethiopian land. So the Bible is the First Scripture, and comes from Ethiopia.

Enoch is also called Toth or Ermes Trismegistos (Idris for Quran) in Egyptian culture, being also for them the SCRIPTURE GIVER.

2) “The Bible was given to Ethiopia through greeks and romans.” FALSE

Enoch the Ethiopian was the first Written prophet and the first book given, and the wife of Moses, the most important prophet of Old, was an Ethiopian. There’s no reason to think that.

3) “Christianity came into Ethiopia through greeks and romans.” FALSE

Even if the official adoption of Christianity as state religion occurred in the forth century, and Ethiopia has received the administration of ecclestiastical priesthood and sacraments at that time, Christianity was there way before, as the oldest christian tradition of the World.

Among the Three Wise Men, in fact, we count King Bazen (Balthasar), emperor of Ethiopia, as their head. The picture we attached is the stamp made by Haile Selassie to commemorate Bazen and the star that has guided him to worship Christ before all men, representing the Ethiopian Empire and Monarchy.

But let we read what His Majesty says about how Christianity reached Ethiopia:

“These thirty-five sovereigns at the time of Akapta Tsenfa Arad (30-38 A.D.) had been christianised by the Apostle Saint Matthew. There were few men who did not believe, for they had heard the words of the gospel. After this Jen Daraba, favourite of the Queen of Ethiopia, Garsemat Kandake (40-50 A.D.) … Phillip the Apostle taught him the gospel, and after he had made him believe the truth he sent him back, baptising him… He taught by word of mouth the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ and baptised them.”

So, Christianity did come into Ethiopia through Bazen, Matthew and the eunuch of Kandake before any european nation.

 

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Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes

The Wild Buffalo (1930)

“At the Italian Legation the chief problem at the time of my arrival was not political, but did not require any less tactful handling on that account. The Negus had sent over a wild buffalo as a gift to the Duke of Abruzzi. During its first day in the Legation grounds the animal had broken loose and torn around the park to the terror of both visitors and residents; therefore the proper disposal of this gift was the agitating question. To cage the animal for shipment to Italy would be costly; to ship him uncaged would be dangerous, and it was necessary to get him out of the way quickly both for the sake of comfort at the Legation and to show proper appreciation of the honour paid to the Duke”.

Taken from “Africa’s Last Empire: Through Abyssinia to Lake Tana and the Country of the Falasha”, H. Norden, 1930

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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies

H. Norden, Member of the American Geographical Society, 1930

“During the first days in Addis Ababa the strange goes about wondering whether his heart will stand the strain of the altitude, but he soon finds himself adjusted and stimulated by the high, dry air. There could be no better evidence of the general virtues of the climate than the robustness of the twenty European children whom I saw assembled at one of the Legation parties.

My introduction to Ras Tafari, and my first glimpse of Ethiopian court life and customs, came almost immediately after my arrival at the capital. The occasion was a dinner given in honour of the members of an expedition sent out by the Field Museul in Chicago: five scientists under the leadership of Captain White. The guests included all the American colony, which consisted of the United States Minister, Mr. Southard, and his wife, and about a dozen missionaries, religious and medical.

A line of armed soldiers outside the Gibbi saluted the guests as they entered. (…)

When all the guests had assembled we were conducted into the throne-room, where the Negus awaited us. The light was dim but adeguate to reveal the beauty of the rugs and the splendour of the gold throne standing on a dais and canopied with red velvet. The latest heir to the throne of Solomon’s son stood on the first of the four steps leading to the platform, and since he is below medium height this position brought his eyes level with those of most of the men he welcomed. His dark face is both beautiful and aristocratic, with finely cut features and great melancholy eyes. Beautiful and aristocratic too, and not easely forgotten, are his small, sensitive, and exquisitely shaped hands.

The dining-room of the palace is furnished in European fashion. The gold table-service was the work of the court jeweller, who is not Abyssinian but Armenian, and had made also the crown lately assumed by Ras Tafari. From across the table little Prince Makonnen favoured me with a boyish grin, in recognition of our meeting on the train. (…)

I was fortunately placed for conversation with the Negus. We spoke in French, and I chose my sentences with great care, lest I provoked the gesture dreaded by Legation folk, that of lifting the collar of the black silk cape to cover one side of the face; a gesture common among Abyssinian aristocrats, and which signifies weariness, displeasure, or disgust. The meaning of the action is, ‘You and your breath are offensive to me’.

This custom has come down through the centuries from a time when there was no need to resort to subtleties to express or conceal repugnance. Happily, Ras Tafari did not hide his face from me, though perhaps I was near to incurring his displeasure at the moment when I told him I should like to see a military display in Addis Ababa. (…)

That evening at dinner no mention was made of politics, either national or international. We spoke of food, of domestic matters, and of education. The Negus said he had brought a chef from Paris; that he enjoyed French food as much as he did Abyssinian. He regretted that his wife’s enforced stay at the clinic at Diredawa prevented her presence at this dinner. He spoke of the education of his son, now studying English with Mr. Russell of the American Presbyterian Mission, and who will go later to a university in England. Some talk about the prevalence of divorce in America floated across the table. I asked Ras Tafari whether it were a common practice in his country. ‘Only the rich can afford divorce’ he said. (…)

Coffee and liquors were served in the throne-room. Afterwards the lights were turned out and the great hall became a moving-picture theatre. Through the cinema a part of Ras Tafari’s empire was brought to us: mountains and valleys, rivers and villages; men on caravan and animals caught unawares by the camera, for the film had been made during a former expedition sent by the Field Museum.

Customs followed geography. The second film showed us the celebration mescal, the religious festival which occurs late in September. (…) I left the Gibbi feeling that Ras Tafari could not have offered more interesting intertainment. He had give his alien guests a glimpse of himself and his ministers; the aspect of the country over which he reigns, and its most characteristic fantasia, full of religious and social significance to his people.”

Taken from “Africa’s Last Empire: Through Abyssinia to Lake Tana and the Country of the Falasha”, H. Norden, 1930

Categories
Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes

The 1928 Attempted Coup

“After these events the Empress’s suspicion and fear of her co-ruler increased. Worked on as she was by the priests, she became more and more bigoted and unbalanced. At the deathbed of the Emperor Menelik, her father, she had promised to help and support Lij Yassu, and was now seized with remorse at having left her promised unfullfilled. Her former husband – she had been married to Ras Gugsa Olie, governor of the province of Amhara, but this marriage was dissolved on her accession – now did everything possible to infuse suspicion of Ras Tafari, whom Gugsa envied and hated. Then in the Empress’s immediate circle were men ready to use any means of removing her co-ruler, whose reforms and modern views they could not or would not understand. The real instigator of the conspiracy against Ras Tafari has never been revealed, but one day in September 1928 words became deeds.

Early in the morning of that day Ras Tafari left the Little Gibi for the Great Gibi, whither he had been summoned by the Empress. As soon as he had stepped into the Empress’s reception-hall, troops assembled, unknown to him, in the Gibi court-yards; the palace gates were shut, soldiers took up positions along the wall which surrounds the Gibi hill, and machine-guns were placed on housetops so as to command the roads of approach. The object was to capture Ras Tafari and depose him.

News of what was happening at the Great Gibi soon reached the ears of Ras Tafari’s wife at the Little Gibi. Quickly summoning all the house-people who were at hand, she distributed weapons among them and ordered them to hasten to the relief of their lord. Soon a yelling crowd collected outside the Great Gibi and demanded that the doors should be opened. Ras Tafari found himself suddenly surrounded by a crowd of threatening soldiers who had been alarmed by the shouts and commotion, and seemed about to take violent action. Without for one instant losing his calmness or self-possession he walked slowly through them, and so great was the power of his personality that the soldiers unwillingly drew back and at his orders opened the gates. When his servants poured in he cried in a voice that carried far:

‘The man who fires the first shot, be he of my own people or my opponent’s, shall die’.

In the stillness which followed, Ras Tafari mounted his horse and rode quietly out through the gate, to be received with shouts of rejoicing from the mob outside. The psychological moment had passed. The coup had failed.

Ras Tafari’s behaviour on this occasion won general approval among the Abyssinian people, who love to see personal courage in their leader. Many who had hitherto been his enemies now condemned the attempted coup. The Empress Zauditu was one of these who most eagerly denied having had anything to do with it. To show her appreciation of him she formally made over to him the entire rule – being at this time very ill with diabetes – and on October 7th, 1928, with all pomp and ceremony, Tafari Makonnen was crowned Negus (King) of Abyssinia.”

(Taken from “The Abyssinia I Knew”, General Virgin, London 1936)

Categories
Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes

His Majesty’s Prodigious Memory

“Much of His Majesty’s success was due to an extraordinary ability to attend to the myriad of administrative details, the most minor of appointments to offices in remote localities, the most insignificant of expenditures, each trip abroad of every official, including (thanks to discreet observers) details as to persons visited, every authorization to provincial officials to come to Addis Ababa, to extend their stays in the capital, every directive to return to the provinces, the most minor of ministerial disputes, and the peccadilloes of his entourage.

None of this would have been possible without instant recollection of names, faces, and conversations, of the particularities of the most remote localities in Ethiopia and of events however distant in time or significance. Once, following the Liberation in 1941, while passing out gifts to his followers, a man came forward to protest that he had been overlooked. His Majesty turned sharply on him: ‘You lie!’ he growled, and, calling him by name, reminded him of the exact time and place at which the Emperor had rewarded him for obtaining urgently needed mules for the Army.

That same powerful memory, constantly nourished by intelligence sources, supported him in the delicate task of imposing his appointments, dismissals, incarcerations and banishments. Able to recall in detail long-forgotten errors, indiscretions, or admissions, Haile Selassie would coldly hang before the protesting dignitary the intricate tapestry of that official’s past life and conduct from which the latter could only avert his embarassed gaze.”

(Taken from “Ethiopia At Bay, John H. Spencer, 1987)

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Ethiopian Icons Ethiopian Orthodox Church

The New Ethiopian Year and John the Baptist’s Beheading

On 11th of September Ethiopians celebrate the feast of Enkutatash, i.e. the First Day (1th of Meskerem) of New Solar Year of the Enochian calendar, still used in Ethiopia. On that day, the beheading of John the Baptist also occurred, and it is therefore commemorated by the Ethiopian Church.

John the Baptist was in fact a bridge between the Old and the New Covenant, and similarly, this day marks the passage between Old and New year. As it was written in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 11:

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (…) For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.”

The head-cutting of John is therefore a perfect image of Transition from Old to New.