Root of David
 
 
 
 
A History of the Solomonic Dynasty of Ethiopia
 
"And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and loose the seven seals thereof." ~Revelation 5:5
 

 
"The Imperial dignity shall be perpetually attached to the line of Haile Selassie I, descendant of King Sahle Selassie, whose line descends without interruption from the dynasty of Menelik I, son of the Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon of Jerusalem."
 
Constitution of Ethiopia - Article II
 
 
1270 - 1285  Emperor Yekuno Amlak (first Emperor of Ethiopia to claim direct decent from Menelik I, fruit of the union of King Solomon of Jerusalem and Makeda, Queen of Sheba.)

1299 - 1314  Emperor Wedem Arad (son of Yekuno Amlak)

1314 - 1344  Emperor Amda Tseyon (son of Wedem Arad during whose reign, the "Kebra Negast" is written)

1344 - 1371  Emperor Newaya Krestos (son of Amda Tseyon)

1380 - 1412  Emperor Dawit I (son of Newaya Krestos)

1412 - 1414  Emperor Tewodros I

1414 - 1430  Emperor Yesehaq

1434 - 1468  Emperor Zare'a Ya'eqob (fourth son of Dawit I)

1468 - 1478  Emperor Ba'eda Maryam (son of Zare'a Ya'eqob)

1494 - 1508  Emperor Naod (son of Ba'eda Maryam)

1508 - 1540  Emperor Lebna Dengel (son of Naod)

1540 - 1559  Emperor Galawdewos (son of Lebna Dengel)

1559 - 1563  Emperor Minas (son of Lebna Dengel)

1563 - 1597  Emperor Sartsa Dengel (son of Minas)

1597 - 1603  Emperor Yaeqob (son of Sartsa Dengel)

1603 - 1604  Emperor Za Dengel (nephew of Sartsa Dengel)

1607 - 1632  Emperor Susneyos (great grandson of Lebna Dengel)

1632 - 1667  Emperor Fasilidas I (son of Susneyos)

1667 - 1682  Emperor Yohannes I (son of Fasilidas)

1682 - 1705  Emperor Iyasu I (son of Yohannes I)

1705 - 1721  Emperor Takla Haymanot (son of Iyasu I)

1721 - 1730  Emperor Bakaffa (son of Iyasu I)

1730 - 1755  Emperor Iyasu II (son of Bakaffa)

1755 - 1769  Emperor Iyaos (son of Iyasu II)

1769 - 1855  "Zamana Masafent" a phrase meaning, "age of the princes". During this time, Ethiopia is divided into three independant states: Tegre, Amhara, Shoa, without a central government.

1855 - 1868  Emperor Tewodros II (defeats Empress Manan of Amhara and Daj Webe of Tegre, re-unifies Ethiopia's Kingdom into a single Empire. Shoa, is still ruled by Negus Menelik II, grandson of Sahle Selassie, direct descendant of Menelik I.)

1868 - 1871  Emperor Takla Giyorgis (proclaims himself Emperor upon the death of Tewodros.)

1872 - 1889  Emperor Yohannes IV (defeats Takla Giyorgis)

1889 - 1913  Emperor Menelik II (proclaims himself Negus Negast of Ethiopia and is crowned Emperor upon the death of Yohannes IV)

1913 - 1916  Lij Iyasu (grandson of Menelik II)

1916 - 1930  Empress Zawditu (daughter of Menelik II )

1930 - 1974  Emperor Haile Selassie I (Ras Tafari, great grandson of Negus Sahle Selassie of Shoa, is crowned Negus of Ethiopia in 1928 and upon the death of Empress Zawditu in 1930, is crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Light of the World, Root of David, Elect of God.)
 

 
 
 
 The Coronation of Ras Tafari
 
As Sunday, November 2, dawned clear, all in Addis Ababa began to prepare for the impressive event of the morning. The Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and his Empress have just completed a night of prayer and devotion at the most high alter within. Through the early morning the chanting of praises continued, accompanied by the dancing of the priest with their great pulsating drums, the whole suggestive of the Ancient Jewish rites which were in use at the time when King David danced before the Arc of the Covenant.

Proceeded by waving incense burners, His Imperial Majesty, attired in white silk communion robes, entered the ceremonial hall with an escort of aides and clergy, and took his place upon the Throne. The thrilling but solemn silence gently breaks to the throaty voice of his holiness the Abuna Kyrillos: "Ye princes and ministers, ye nobles and chiefs of the army, ye soldiers and people of Ethiopia, and ye doctors and chiefs of the clergy, ye professors and priest, look ye upon our Emperor Haile Selassie the First, descended from the dynasty of Menelic the First, who was born of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, a dynasty perpetuated without interruption from the time of King Sehale and our times.

Forty nine bishops and priests of this ancient Christian country, in groups of seven, have held place for seven days and nights in the seven corners of the National Cathedral to chant without ceasing nine Psalms of David. They are now joined by hundreds more. The established Coptic Church is revered and all-powerful in Ethiopia. This is a day when it may and does show its impressive might and splendor.

The Emperor, whose name is Anglicized as Power of the Holy Trinity, before the questioning of the Abuna gives his sacred pledge to uphold the Orthodox religion of the Church, to support and administer the laws of the country for the betterment of the people, to maintain the integrity of Ethiopia, and to found schools for development the Spiritual and Material welfare of her subjects.
 
Chanting and prayers to the God of Gods rise from a multitude of priestly throats and reverberate from the lofty ceiling of the Cathedral. One by one with the solemn rites and blessings of the high Ethiopian clergy, He received the Gold-Embroidered Scarlet Robes, the Jeweled Sword, Imperial Gold Septer, the Orb, the Diamond Encrusted Ring, and two Gold Filigree Lances in token of His position and responsibility. Following ancient customs, as when Samuel anointed David, and Zodak and Nathan anointed Solomon, so the Abuna anointed His Majesty's head with oil. Seven differently scented ointments of ancient prescription are received on the Imperial head, brow, and shoulders. He then concluded with the words,: "That God make this Crown a Crown of Glory. That, by the Grace and the blessing which we have given, you may have an Unshaken Faith and a Pure Heart, in order that you may inherit the Crown Eternal. So be it."

The centuries seemed to have slipped suddenly backwards into Biblical ritual.

The assembly applauded their greeting, and the visiting naval band played the National Anthem, while outside cannons roared a salute of 101 guns, and cheer after cheer came from thousands of subjects massed in the vicinity of the Cathedral.

The final ceremonies is a grand tour of the Cathedral by their Imperial Majesties. There are escorted by the bishops and priest, the princes and high dignitaries, assistants and others, carrying Palm Branches and chanting in Mighty Volume, "Blessed be the King of Israel!"
 
By: Addison E. Southard
National Geographic, June 1931
 

 
 
 
 
 Back to JAH Rastafari