This important holiday for Rastafarians marks the day Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia on November 2, 1930. “Haile Selassie” translates to “Power of the Trinity” in the Ethiopian language of Amharic. His followers gave him titles like King of Kings and Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, acknowledging him as the 225th ruler in a line that dates back to King Solomon.

Rastafarians see Emperor Haile Selassie’s rise to power as the realization of Marcus Garvey’s prediction of a Black king who would redeem Black people. They adopted the Emperor’s name before he was crowned, “Ras Tafari,” as the name for their faith. While Rastafarians view him as a messianic figure, it’s important to note that Haile Selassie was a committed Christian and did not personally identify with Rastafarianism.

Interesting Facts

• This is one of the holiest days of the Rastarfarian year as it celebrates when Haile Selassie became king in Ethiopia
• This religion started in Jamaica in the 1930s and was influenced by Marcus Garvey’s “Back to Africa” movement
• When he was crowned, he took the name, Haile Selassie, “Might of the Trinity” as well as other titles like the “Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah