Today's Holyday Art (HAILE SELASSIE) for Rastafari

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

The Rastafari movement recognizes July 23, 1892, the personal birthday of Haile Selassie as a religious holiday. This former Emperor of Ethiopia is revered as the returned messiah of the Bible and Christian God called "Jah"  incarnate. He died on August 27, 1975 following a military coup, the last of a 3,000 year old family dynasty.

• Other Names: Rastafarians take their name from Emperor Selassie who was also known as Ras (Prince) Tafari. Official religious title is Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings and Elect of God
• Observed by: Rastafari movement, estimated at between 200,000 and 800,000, primarily in Jamaica. The Rastafari movement, or Rasta, is a spiritual movement 
• Date: July 23, the emperors personal birthday.
• Lineage: Selassie was the 225th Emperor of Ethiopia in a line that he traced to Menelik I, who was credited with being the child of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, identified in Ethiopia as Queen Makeda. (The constitution of 1955 specified Haile Selassie's direct descent from Menelik I.)
• Celebrations:  There are two types of Rasta religious ceremonies: Reasoning and Groundation. A "reasoning" is a simple event where the Rastas gather, smoke cannabis ("ganja"), and hold discussions with God. The second "groundation" (or "grounation") or "binghi" which is marked by much dancing, singing, vegetarian feasting, and the smoking of ganja, and can last for several days.
• Observances:  Display a flag of Ethiopia or a poster with yellow, red, green and black strips - the colours of the Ethiopian flag; display a photograph of Emperor Selassie.
• Places of worship: Rastas assert that their own bodies are the true church or temple of God, and so see no need to make temples or churches out of physical buildings.