Also, Sig...for some reason, Haile Selassie came to my mind with your post... I really wonder if he was a tyrant like the Socialist/Marxists say, or if he really was a man of vision. Somehow, I think he was a man of vision....Look what happened to him, and where they finally found his body. Here is a little article from Time...
TIME Trail: Haile Selassie
A look back at the life of the Ethiopian emperor, 25 years after his death
By MICHAEL BRUNTON
time.com
Boris Grdanoski/AP
The funeral cortege of the late Emperor Haile Selassie makes its way through the streets of Addis Ababa, 25 years after his death
The extraordinary scenes in Addis Ababa on Sunday when the remains of Ethiopia's late emperor Haile Selassie were finally laid to rest with dignity in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 25 years after his death, speak to us of times past — not just of a century which saw black Africa throwing off the chains of slavery and European colonialism, nor of a world that increasingly lost faith in royalty and emperors. Selassie was a potent player in all these changes, forging a modern state out of fighting clans. But, claiming as he did direct descent from the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, Selassie harks back still further to Biblical times: to a time of prophets and gods.
Many Ethiopians are too young to remember Selassie, the rest have had a devastating quarter-century of war, dislocation and famine in which to forget him. But so great was his appeal both at home and on the world stage, that for years successive Ethiopian governments kept quiet about the circumstances of his death — his followers say he was smothered by a pillow — and the whereabouts of his body. In 1992 it was revealed that his remains had been found beneath a toilet in the imperial palace that after his death had become home to Mengistu Haile Mariam, the Marxist dictator who emerged from the chaos of Selassie's overthrow in 1974, to run the country until 1991.
Last month, the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced the go-ahead for Sunday's obsequies, with only a terse reminder that Selassie was "a tyrant and an oppressor." That may in the end be a fair judgment, but does thin justice to the "little emperor" who was courted — though rarely bested — by leaders of the world's great powers, who espoused the cause of independent Africa and who became an inspiration to millions of black people around the world. Singer Bob Marley's widow, Rita, was among those who came to pay their respects on Sunday, but there were only a few Rastafarians — his most devout followers — among the crowds in Addis Ababa. After all, they believe him to be God and that he still lives.
The archives of TIME magazine tell a fuller, more colorful story:
As Prince Regent Taffari, Selassie took Ethiopia into the League of Nations, where he argued against the interference and colonial activities of Italy and Britain (TIME, Aug. 9, 1926).
TIME, Nov. 3, 1930
TIME put Selassie on its cover on the occasion of his coronation (TIME, Nov. 3, 1930).
A story the following week described the coronation (TIME, Nov. 10, 1930).
Five years later, Selassie exhorted his country to battle with Italian forces (TIME, Oct. 28, 1935).
With the world agog at the conflict between Ethiopia and Mussolini's Italian invaders, TIME named Selassie Man of the Year (TIME, Jan. 6, 1936).
Later in 1936, Selassie went into exile in London (TIME, June 15, 1936).
Selassie made emotional appeal to the League of Nations for assistance and condemnation of Italy's occupation of Ethiopia (TIME, July 13, 1936).
In mid 1941, Selassie made a triumphant return to Addis Ababa (TIME, May 12, 1941).
In 1957, a limited form of democracy was introduced to Ethiopia for the first time in its history (TIME, November 11, 1957).
While on a state visit to Brazil, Selassie learned of a coup at home (TIME, Dec. 26, 1960).
Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Ethiopia in February 1965 (TIME, Feb. 12, 1965).
The following year, Selassie visited Jamaica, where he was greeted by thousands of Rastafarians who believed him to be the incarnation of God (TIME, April 29, 1966).
In 1967, Selassie visited the U.S. but at home was said to be growing old and lonely (TIME, Feb. 24, 1967).
In the wake of appalling drought and famine, the Army rebelled and riots broke out in Addis Ababa (TIME, March 11, 1974).
As a result, Selassie yielded to growing demands for reform (TIME, March 25, 1974).
Months later, a creeping military takeover robbed Selassie of much of his power (TIME, Sept. 2, 1974).
Selassie was deposed, arrested and replaced in power by military government (TIME, Sept. 23, 1974).
He died a year after his overthrow, apparently of natural causes (TIME, Sept. 8, 1975). |
