The Power of Self Revelation

There are many parallels in Rastafari and religious concepts that we have gone over in class. One of them that i noticed involves Ras Tafari's - Haile Selassie's - name taken at his coronation: "Ras Tafari, Son of Ras Makonem of Harar, King of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah." As Edmonds says, this title seems calculated to encourage people to search for proof that Haile Selassie is the Messiah.

This falls right in line with the part of Geertz's definition of religion that says it "creates an aura of factuality." Haile Selassie didnt exactly say he was the messiah, but hinted at that fact. it pointed people towards the understanding that he was in fact the messiah. What it allows, is for people to create the aura of factuality around Haile Selassie. This eventually becomes sort of a religious fact. If people say he is the messiah over and over, eventually they will believe it.

This aura of factuality around Haile Selassie being messiah, was so successful because the people came to the conclusion themselves. Halie Selassie related himself to several biblical texts but didnt necessarily say he was the messiah. People found the link he was hinting toowards with his new title, and thought they had found the messiah. It did not seem as though Haile was appointing himself, but rather they were appointing Haile, although he had pointed them in the right direction.