Apr 2, 2017 | Culture, Dates: Jan-Jun, Ethiopia, History, Important Dates, Uncategorized
Important Dates: The Earth Day of Empress Menen, Queen of Queens
Woizero Menen was born on 3rd April 1891 (25th Megabit 1883), in the Egua village, Wollo Province. Woizero Menen was baptised Wolete Giorgis in St Delba Girogis Church. A skilful writer, Woizero Menen was known to be kind, compassionate and devoutly God fearing.
In 1902 Woizero Menen married Ras Lul Sagud and had two daughters and two sons before divorcing him. She later married Haile Selassie I in 1911. For the first time in Ethiopian history, during the Coronation of H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings on 2nd November 1930, Empress Menen was crowned Queen of Queens.
The Coronation was held at the St Giorgis Church in Addis Ababa and was witness by dignitaries from across the world.
The sacred and happy union between Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress
Menen lasted for forty seven years, during which time they had three sons and three daughters and was blessed with numerous grandchildren.
Empress Menen made a huge contribution to the development of schools and hospitals as well as the social science institutions.
]]>
Jan 19, 2017 | Culture, Dates: Jan-Jun, Ethiopia, Historical Culture, Important Dates, Religion, Uncategorized
baptism During the ceremonies of Timkat, the Tabot, a model of the Ark of the Covenant, is reverently wrapped in rich cloth and borne in procession and carried through the crowd in every city on the head of a priest. The Tabot/s are carried only by the most senior priests of the community and completely covered because they are too sacred for anyone to gaze at them. Even the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox church is forbidden to see it; only its guardians can look at it. The actual Ark of the Covenant is said to be in the city of Aksum, guarded by monks who have vowed not to leave the chapel grounds until death. Continue reading……………….
]]>
May 24, 2013 | Culture, Dates: Jan-Jun, History, Important Dates, Uncategorized
Self-Determination in African Union’s “Golden Jubilee”
Africa, the richest continent, is emerging from more than thousands years of invasions, occupations, slavery, distress… We Africans endured and appreciated struggles, rebellions, resistances with self determination, leading to victories, freedom, independence and sovereignty wherever and whenever it was possible.
Then we witnessed the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), on May 25th 1963, a divine gift, which has been truly instrumental in term of liberation and freedom of our people. Amongst many great African leaders assembled, two Heads of State, President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia stood out in shaping the future of Africa. They and others inspired us to invest and commit ourselves to a just and noble cause: the Unity of our continent at all levels.
(more…)
Apr 21, 2013 | Culture, Dates: Jan-Jun, History, Important Dates, Uncategorized
Grounation Day (21st April)
Marks the date Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica in 1966. The visit was the only time the Emperor visited Jamaica. A Nyabingi session, inclusive of music, chanting and prayer is held to mark the occasion. Haile Selassie had already met with several Rasta elders in Addis Ababa, and had allowed Rastafari and other people of African descent to settle on his personal land in Shashamane.
Selassie’s visit not only cemented respect for Rastafari in international headlines, but also changed the life of Rita Marley, Bob Marley’s wife. While a nonbeliever prior to this visit, she reportedly saw a stigma on Haile Selassie’s hand as he waved to the crowd, instantaneously making her aware of his divinity. Just moments prior, Selassie’s refusal to walk on a red carpet from his plane to the limousine translated into the Rastafari acceptance of grounation, indicating his “making contact with the soil”—and, furthermore, the name of this day as Grounation (or Groundation) Day.
(more…)
Apr 7, 2013 | Culture, Dates: Jan-Jun, Historical Culture, Important Dates, Uncategorized
eadership of the non-violent civil rights movement in the United States. He was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39. A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president. King’s efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. There, he expanded American values to include the vision of a color blind society, and established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.
(more…)
Apr 5, 2013 | Culture, Dates: Jan-Jun, Ethiopia, Important Dates, Uncategorized
Rastas mark 50th anniversary of bloody Coral Gardens incident
Rastafarians on Holy Thursday March 28 created a moving sea of red, green and gold through the streets of the Corporate Area.
As part of the anniversary observances, the Rastafari Millennium Council and the Coral Gardens Committee and other groups Thursday organised a protest march and motorcade from downtown Kingston to the seat of Parliament at Gordon House and on to Half-Way-Tree for a rally at Mandela Park.
