Ethiopia
E j e r s a G o r o, H a r a r
a n d i t s Re l a t i o n s h i p t o t h e R a s t a f a r i M ov e m e n t
Rastafari People Chanting Psalm 87, and the Preoccupation: Visit of a Rasta man to the birthplace of
Lij Tafari Makonnen – His Imperial Majesty (H.I.M) Emperor Haile Selassie
By Ras Sela – Seyfe Selassie (Sword of the Trinity)
Entrance to H.I.M birth site @ the summit in Ejersa Goro
Based on the title of this document and
of its subsequent narrative, what is to follow is
rather extensive. I hope anyone that reader it
may fathom its content. However, it is imperative
to mesh a place (Ejersa Goro), people (Rastafari),
Biblical reference (Psalm 87) and the reason for
highlighting a King (Emperor Haile Selassie I)
within the movement of Rastafari towards African
Liberation in the 20th – 21st Centuries. The fact of
the matter, as a whole, is that every element noted above relates to the struggle of captive African
peoples, for liberation in the West; and the rise of
an African King at a time, when the Continent of
Africa was slated to be totally colonized by Western (European) Nations, while the whole world sat
and watched its traumatic outcome.
That, by the way, led to the partition of the African Continent, and an invasion to Ethiopia by Fascist Italy, that actually
ignited the fire of World War II (WWII). This narrator is a product of post WWII and the continual African struggle here in
the West; hence, my pre-occupation with the birthplace of H.I.M, and a trek to Ejersa Goro, Harar in July, 2014. Fundamentally, the statements above are reflected generationally. Becoming engaged in the experiences of a resilient people,
who held onto an ancient African tradition through enduring hardships and prayers, was part of an inheritance by the
grace of creation.
In order to set the tone of this testimony, Ejersa Goro, Harar is located 9 Degree 29’ North; 42 Degree 14’ East. Elevation
9,121’ (2,780 meters) above sea level in the Oromia region of Eastern Ethiopia. Ejersa Goro must be viewed in the context
as a vertex. Whereas, a male child of nobility from out of the union of an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition (Ras
Makonnen Wolde Mikael Guddisa), and a Muslim (Princess Yeshimebet Ali); were both vessels that brought forth the
God-head of African Redemption. Ejersa Goro, too many ones within the Trod is considered a sacred place. In accordance
to whenever Rastafari peoples chant Psalm 87. Nevertheless, the Movement have not made any decisive step to set it as
a divine - sacred place within it tenets.
On the other hand in Ethiopia, many Ethiopians view Ejersa Goro as the Bethlehem of the Rastafari Movement. According
to the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary authored by Charles Fillmore, describes Bethlehem as a: “- house of bread; place of
food, house of sustenance; house of living (1995, p. 119). To shade light on the birth site of H.I.M as cited by Rastafari peoples, and as depicted in Psalm 87; allow me to take the liberty to provide some insight, and examine parts of the Psalm
shown above from the latter text noted herein; and by utilizing my Holy Bible from the Ancient Eastern Text, by George
M. Lamsa’s translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta:
Psalm 87
1. Her* foundations are in his holy mountain. (Ejersa Goro is
on the top of a Mountain, kindly refer back to elevation and
location described herein).
*Jerusalem: According to (Fillmore, 1995) is a habitation of
peace; dwelling place of peace; possession of peace; constitution of harmony; foundation of peace; vision of peace