Anniversary of the Crowning of Haile Selassie

The coronation of Haile Selassie I, former Emperor of Ethiopia and central figure of the Rastafarian faith, is commemorated by Rastafarians throughout the world. Celebrate in Ethiopia, Jamaica and elsewhere on 2 November every year.

Haile Selassie’s birthname was Tafari Mekonnen. He was crowned Emperor in 1930, assuming the name of Haile Selassie (‘Might of the Trinity’), and to his followers he was known as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God, Light of this World, King of Zion, said to be the 225th restorer of the Solomonic Dynasty.

He reigned with a firm and politically progressive (though autocratic) hand until 1974, when he was deposed in a military coup following famines and economic turmoil in the country.