Haile Selassi

Date: 23 July, 1892

Haile Selassi was born as Lij Tafari Makonnen in the village of Ejersa Gor, in the Harar province of Ethiopia. Heir to a 13th century dynasty, he ascended to the throne of Ethiopia in 1930, proclaiming himself "Haile Selassi", which means "Might of the Trinity".

In 1936, he led the resistance to Italy's invasion of Ethiopia and also spoke out against the use of chemical weapons at the League of Nations. Exiled in 1936, he was restored to power in 1941.

However, by the 1970s, his apparent indifference to a major famine resulted in the loss of popular support. In 1974, he was dethroned in a military coup and murdered by his successor, Mengistu Haile Mariam.

Selassi has been criticized for his suppression of Ethiopian nobles and for his inability to modernize Ethiopia adequately.  However, he is also looked up to as a symbol of African dignity, both within and outside the continent.

Rastafarians revere Selassi as a god that will unify the African diaspora and lead them into an age of peace and prosperity. Rastafarianism has a following of between 200 000 to 800 000 world-wide. The largest Rastafari community in South Africa is situated in Knysna and comprises of 30 families.

References:

1. Haile Selassi I of Ethiopia [online] Available at: wikipedia.org [Accessed 13 July 2009]
2. Political Biography: Emperor Haile Selassi I [online] Available at: answers.com [Accessed 13 July 2009]