This pictorial Book titled “Ababa Janhoy” depicts the Emperor along with his whole family, greeting dignitaries, visiting institutes of higher learning, holding court sessions and celebratory processions, at the Maychew frontline with his army, his stay in the Great Britain, giving a speech at the League of Nations to the US congress and UN general assembly, having discussions with his ministers, giving awards and certificates, inspecting guards of honor at military academies, with visionary African leaders and personal photos in his full grace with his majestic Abyssinian lion, “Mekuria” and much more. Although the regime which usurped him sought to scrap his name from the history books in the past, The Lion of Judah still remains the most revered king of all times.
Monarchs have existed since times of old. If we look at the evolution of these kingdoms, the European ones for example, the change always came from within or from a neighboring kingdom. However, Africa didn’t get the chance to evolve in such a manner. All the kingdoms and their rulers were ousted by the European powers seeking to further their gains. When the whole continent was affected by such blight that ended up setting the grounds for its complete annihilation of its identity, one country stood apart; Ethiopia. But this wasn’t gifted to the kingdom, it was hard won against a superior foe.
In the kingdom’s 3000 years of existence, never had an emperor faced an adversary with an overwhelming technologically and financially power which was backed by the support of even mightier neighbors. The emperor that faced and defeated such adversary in a war that lasted from 1895-96 was the king of kings, Emperor Menilik and his Empress Etege Taitu who was his right hand advisor. This victory is the only full victory an African nation had ever achieved and cemented a national pride in the hearts of its people. Merely 40 years later though, the same adversary came back again with the same intentions, but now it was in the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, whose reign would continue for another 39 years. And the same resilience, valor and tenacity of the Ethiopian people and their leaders, although occupied for 5 years saved the country and reinstated their rightful leader; Emperor Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie’s achievements and endeavors extended to educating his people regardless of their ethnicity or gender and introduction of new western technologies sets him apart.
Emperor Haile Selassie made a state visit just to the United States of America alone 6 times and the crowds that cheered him was phenomenal. Imagine being a black man in America where your ancestors have suffered and are still subjected to all sorts of racial atrocities and you see a black Emperor driving in a motorcade to the White House while being cheered by countless white people on the way… a flabbergasting sight to behold! The reverence he received during his visit to Jamaica has no equal. He worked diligently to establish the Organization of African Union/OAU and made Addis Abeba its headquarters because he understood the need for African nations to work together in order to prosper.
It is said during his reign, the quality of education (he established numerous schools) was of the highest caliber and students strived to attain the highest scores. He inspired people to work hard and rewarded them for it. It’s hard not to think what Ethiopia would look like if he had stayed in power and his legacy was passed on to an heir who would uphold the same values not to mention the pride it would bolster and the unity it would have instilled. He would have continued being a beacon of hope for those who were oppressed or face racism. Such was the man, the Emperor.
Reviewed by Edom Belete Habtegebriel
