This strong-beginning (week-end in Rastafari language), the birth of Ras Tafari Makonnen will be I-lebrated worldwide as one of the holydays observed by I and I who who bear His name. As part of this observation, Heartically Yours today reviews “Negus - Majestic Tradition of Ethiopia” authored by Dr. Miguel F. Brooks and published by LMH Publishing Ltd. in 2002.

Ijahnya Christian

Dr. Brooks is a Psychologist and Counselor who operates the Psychological Counselling Unit in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. He was born in Panama to Jamaican parents and among his other achievements is his translation of the sacred Ethiopian text the KEBRA NAGAST (The Glory of Kings). For this and “for his work on behalf of Ethiopian Culture and History”, Dr. Brooks was awarded the Centenary Gold Medal of the Battle of Adwa by the Ethiopian Crown Council. “Negus” continues in the vein of this Ethiopianist work described as “…Amazing in its broad sweep…from the remote and exotic traditions of Solomon and Sheba to…the destiny and the prophetic mission of the Ashanti-Koromantyn slaves and the emergence of the true Judah in the Rastafarians of Jamaica. Never-before-published revelations on the plot to destroy the ‘Back to Africa’ movement, to crush Rastafari and to assassinate its prophets and the King.”

One of the first things that struck me was the annotated Table of Contents, enabling a rich historic offering at just a quick glance. The following notes on Chapters 1 and 6 Chapter provide two examples. Chapter 1…..The Throne of Balkis - “Her throne was reputed to be an exquistely crafted marvel of solid gold richly ornamented with a profusion of precious stones. Securely hidden in a secret cave and guarded by 300 fierce warriors, Makeda’s throne seemed to be safe, yet King Solomon’s wisdom prevailed upon the exotic and enchanting Queen of Sheba causing her to yield both throne and virtue, unaware that she was so doing.”
Chapter 6….. Divinity on the Slave Ship – “A harrowing account of the relentless transcultural journey of a divinely selected people, carrying in their blood and genes the legacy and compelling destiny of a special prophetic mission. From ancient Nubia, Ethiopia, Egypt and across the African continent to the great kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and the Songhai, the legendary Koromantyns of the Ashanti tribe survived the hellish Middle Passage transportation across the Atlantic, to lead every slave rebellion in Jamaica, and eventually to manifest the original spirit of Judah in the phenomena of the Ras Tafarian movement. A first-time-ever history of the spiritual origins of the Ras Tafarian people and the majestic role they fulfill in last-day events. Riveting and controversial, it will surely rock the comfortable assumptions of conventional beliefs.”

The connecting thread of culture that is our navel string to the African continent is never far away. Many Africans in the Caribbean believe that if a pregnant woman looks at something that moves her emotionally or craves a particular thing to eat, that image can be imprinted on the unborn child. Hence the story about how the Queen of Sheba’s mother Queen Ismenie looked at a goat during her pregnancy and craved the mutton but could not get it, explains why the Queen of Sheba, who was reputed to be extraordinarily beautiful, was born with one foot shaped like that of a goat. “Negus” gives much detail that has been omitted from Biblical accounts but such an explanation would not be strange to us. In like manner, while the Bible tells us of Makeda’s visit to Solomon, “Negus” provides the details of how The Dynasty of the Blessed Seed continued from that union through to the Biblical Christ and through the same bloodlines, to Haile Selassie I. Of His Imperial Majesty, Dr. Brooks says, “Haile Selassie I, last monarch to sit on the Throne of David in Ethiopia is recognized as the ‘Seal of the Dynasty’ because so many of the messianic promises in the Holy Scriptures were fulfilled in his person.” He then goes on to cite the Scriptures and to juxtapose those references with validating occurrences surrounding the birth and life of Ras Tafari.

Another eye-opener, or rather the African Hebrew cultural link is firmly established in “Negus”. Dr. Brooks again fills gaps that exist in the Holy Bible by taking us first on the Christ’s journey to India and his year-long stint in the Buddhist monastery school at Puri then on to Lassa, Tibet for an eighteen-month stay at the temple there. He gives an account of the onward journey to Persia, the considerable time spent in the cities and towns of Chaldea, and in the lands between the Tigris and Euphrates, through the ruins of Babylon, then on to Greece and his admittance into the Fourth Degree of the Brotherhood at Heliopolis, where he earned “the title of Master by the conclave of High Priests who acknowledged Him as the Christ, and paid homage to Him and proclaimed Him the incarnation of the Word…” Secondly, the author establishes the 500 year Jewish rule of Egypt, followed by the Greeks, the Romans and the Arabs whose dynastic rule lasted for 1,325 years. With the Arab (and later European) contact and its devastating impact on the Africans, the latter’s flight from coastal areas to populate the continental hinterland also saw the cultural assimilation that is still in evidence. According to “Negus”,
“And while the northern and eastern regions of Africa were crumbling under the devastating war machine of the Arab and Asian hordes, across the continent in the west, the three notable empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhay became the temporary sanctuary of part of the fleeing community from across the eastern and northern areas of the continent.” The details are provided to explain that “The connection between the Ashanti and the ancient Egyptians and Abyssinians is made patently evident by the striking similarity of most of their laws, customs, religious practices and even extraordinary superstitions.”

After listening to Dr. Brooks’ lecture in Panama on how the transatlantic slave trade continues to impair our everyday functioning, reading “Negus” was deeply reassuring and served to allay all my own fears about the persistent religious differences that get in the way of harmonious relations and human development. It reinforced the Ethiopian identity and behaviour of the Rastafari family and Nation and for that, if for no other reason, I was very pleased to obtain an autographed copy which is available to you from the Athlyi Rogers Study Centre.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News