t for his contribution to the country’s culture. He was diagnosed with cancer, and died on May 21, 1981 (Salewicz “Rastafari”). Marcus Garvey is considered the founder of the Rastafarian religion. The fulfillment of his prophecy for an African king gave birth to the Rastafarian religion. He was born in St. Ann, Jamaica in 1887. He was a political leader who was devoted to making the black race equal to the white. In the Rastafarian religion, he is looked at as second only to their living god, Haile Selassie I (Redington “Rastafari History and Beliefs”). In the 1920’s he formed the United Negro Improvement Association, and spoke of “Ethiopia as the land of our fathers” (Salewicz “Rastafari”). In 1924, he revealed his prophecy, “Look to Africa for the crowning of a Black King; He shall be the Redeemer” (Salewicz “Rastafari”). When Haile Selassie was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, people claimed his prophecy was fulfilled. Garvey himself did not like Haile Selassie I. He looked down upon Ethiopia because slavery still existed. The Rastafarians continued to respect Garvey, saying the John the Baptist had doubts about Christ (Salewicz “Rastafari”). In 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia. He was the great-grandson of King Saheka Selassie of Shoa. Ras Tafari was regarded as King of Kings. He was given the title Haile Selassie, which means, “Power of the Holy Trinity”. He claimed to be a direct descended from King Solomon, and he was thought of as the long-awaited savior (Salewicz “Rastafari”). He was the Rastafarians pro-claimed living God. In Africa, he was regarded as the greatest modern monarch, and a symbol of Ethiopia’s potential. Haile Selassie I was not a Rastafarian. He visited Jamaica once, and his visit had a profound effect (Salewicz “Rastafari”). As a result of ...
