Look to Africa

What a wedding! In spite of the fact that some persons declined to watch the royal event out of resentment over 'Missis Queen' or some anti-colonial peeve, millions enjoyed the majestic ceremony that had the world transfixed for over six hours last week Friday. 'Missis Queen' herself did not disappoint. Dressed in what the fashion watchers would call a stunning creation, she was like a doting grandmother reigning over her grandchildren's parade.

The arrangements, down to the last ceremonial button on the Prince's regalia, were faultless. Some ladies who were in a taxi on their way to the Brown's Town market later on were full of speech and excitement. Who got up from what time to watch, and who saw the Jamaican flag, and oh the hats and the kiss (all agreed 'ah no kiss dat'), and of course there were the showoffs who had been to England and could recognise the streets and public buildings.

It was a great affair and has earned the admiration of billions. However, we must not get carried away and reserve the accolades only for the British. Jamaica's conduct of state affairs, official welcomes to foreign visitors, management of international conferences, and the state funerals accorded to our past prime ministers, rank high in the order of well-executed functions carried out with superb dignity and appropriate protocol.

international impact

"Look to Africa for the crowning of a black king", said Marcus Garvey in 1916. Well, in terms of its international impact and splendour, the coronation of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I on November 2, 1930, can give the royal wedding a good run for the money.

It remains one of the most lavish and spectacular throne events in the world, with special significance as it was in a black country celebrating an epochal event in the annals of one of the oldest reigning dynasties.

The imperial crowns for Ras Tafari Makennen and his Empress Menen were encrusted with millions of dollars worth of gold and diamonds. The ceremonial garments were made from lion skins shipped to London and manufactured on Bond Street. And the carriage used was the state coach purchased from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. A team of snow-white Hapsburg stallions escorted the carriage.

The coronation party was 700 strong, and the international guests including European royalty, heads of government, ambassadors, and the wealthy of the world, began arriving from October, making their way over the Ethiopian mountains by rail and roadways specially reconstructed for the occasion.

The ceremony took place in the Cathedral of St George in Addis Ababa, with hundreds of priests, African chieftains, luxuriously decorated halls, live lions, and the music of the harp, the lyre, tambourines and cymbals in tune with the ancient Amharic liturgy which was celebrated by the archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

titles

His Majesty received the symbols of his office, including the royal insignia and the ring of Solomon, and was solemnly crowned Haile Selassie I, Two Hundred Twenty-Fifth Emperor of the Solomonic Dynasty, Elect of God, King of Kings, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, among other titles.

Selassie was one of the most colourful titans of the 20th century. There was weeping and wailing across Ethiopia when he went into self-imposed exile in the face of invasion from Italy in 1936. On May 12 of that year he delivered what was said to be the most stirring speech of the 20th century when he addressed the League of Nations in Geneva on behalf of his captive country.

He returned to a free Ethiopia on May 5, 1941, and ruled until he was deposed by his revolutionary guards on September 12, 1974. He had visited Jamaica on April 21, 1966 and, although at that time he enjoyed enormous international prestige and respect, his popularity at home was on the wane as he faced increasing dissent from his court and the church on internal issues. He was pronounced dead on August 27, 1975, but was not properly buried until November 5, 2000, when he was allowed an imperial funeral conducted by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Of such are the vagaries of mankind, revered today, crucified tomorrow. We foresee no such future for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Comments to columns@gleanerjm.com or lanceneita@hotmail.com.