Twelve Tribes to celebrate Selassie’s coronation tonight

It will be a veritable Rastafest on the grounds of the Twelve Tribes of Israel HQ on Hope Road tonight, as adherents gather for one of their important annual pilgrimages.

As they do every year, the Rastafari group will recognise the anniversary of the coronation of the man they refer to as His Imperial Majesty (HIM), Emperor Haile Selassie I, along with his wife Empress Mennen. This year marks 89 years since Selassie first sat on the throne in Ethiopia. On November 2, 1930, Tafari Makonnen, his given name, was crowned Negusa Nagast, literally King of Kings, rendered in English as Emperor.

The celebration will be in the form of a concert featuring cultural acts, many of whom are members of the Tribe of Israel. Headliner is reggae singer, Mikey Spice, who, although not a member, has strong links to Twelve Tribes and a catalogue of songs that are just right for the occasion. The Florida-based artiste has not performed on a major event in Jamaica for a few years; however, he performs at private functions, the most recent of which was two months ago on the north coast.

“I am looking forward to performing on Israel’s stage celebrating the anniversary of the coronation of HIM Haile Selassie,” he shared with The Gleaner.

Among the other acts who will hail the king are Warrior King, Dalton Browne, Micah Shemaiah and Dreadites, Empress Faith and Israel Voice.

Paul Ashton, Twelve Tribes communications specialist, told The Gleaner, “This is an annual event and each one is special to us. This year we are having a stage show-centred celebration however, we are planning something bigger for next year’s 90th anniversary. At times in the past we have had representatives from the royal family here to celebrate with us, but this year, none will be present.”

He added: “Kingston has been designated a culture centre and we have been an important part of that fabric, so next year we will be taking the celebration closer to everyone’s consciousness.”

On Friday, the group remembered Dr Vernon Carrington, known as Prophet Gad, the man who founded the Twelve Tribes of Israel branch of the Rastafari movement in 1968. Members view Carrington as a prophet who began the repatriation of Rastafari to Africa, the homeland. The invitation to the event in honour of Carrington referred to him as “our beloved Prophet Gad”. He would have turned 84 on November 1. The Twelve Tribes of Israel Sound, with resident and guest selectors, provided the music at the event. Unlike tonight’s event which has a cover charge, the only admission was “wear a piece of red”.