Jamaica–Ethiopia relations are bilateral relations between Jamaica and Ethiopia.
 Jamaica |
 Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Jamaica, Addis Ababa | Embassy of Ethiopia, Kingston |
| Envoy | |
| Ambassador of Nigeria in Jamaica | Ambassador of Jamaica in Nigeria |
Origins edit
In 1948, the Shashamane Land Grant by Emperor Haile Selassie I to members of the Ethiopian World Federation led to a large Jamaican settlement in the village of Shashamane, earning it the nickname "Little Jamaica".[1][2]
Haile Selassie's first visit edit
Haile Selassie visited Jamaica on Thursday, April 21, 1966.[3] He was greeted at the airport with crowds playing drums and smoking large quantities of marijuana.[4] He was driven to the King's House to take up residence as the guest of Jamaican Prime Minister Donald Sangster and Governor-General Clifford Campbell.[5] He later addressed the Parliament of Jamaica, received the Key to the City of Spanish Town by Commissioner Eustice Bird, and visited Jamaica College.[6] During the visit, Rastafari representatives were present at all state functions attended by His Majesty.[7][8] The visit drew crowds of some 100,000 Rastafari who descended on Kingston's Palisadoes Airport.[4][9][10] Today the Rastafari celebrate April 21 as Grounation Day.[11]
Revival of relations edit
On 13 June 2016, Ethiopian foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom paid an official visit to Jamaica, the first by an Ethiopian official in 50 years.[12]
References edit
- ^ Pink, Patrina (2010-06-18), "Jamaican Rastas Bring Cultural Diversity To 'Promised Land'", Jamaica Gleaner, retrieved 2013-03-11
- ^ Bonacci, Giulia (Summer 2011), "An Interview in Zion: The Life-History of a Jamaican Rastafarian in Shashemene, Ethiopia", Callaloo, 34 (4): 744–758, doi:10.1353/cal.2011.0187
- ^ "BBC World Service - Witness History, Haile Selassie In Jamaica". BBC. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ a b Dread, The Rastafarians of Jamaica, by Joseph Owens ISBN
- ^ White, p. 211.
- ^ "Haile Selassie visits Jamaica | Derek Bishton". Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ Rastafari: From Outcasts to Culture Bearers Page 86 by Ennis Barrington Edmonds
- ^ Verbal Riddim: The Politics and Aesthetics of African-Caribbean Dub Poetry, page 83 by Christian Habekost
- ^ "Haile Selassie Is Mobbed By Jamaica Cult Adherents". The New York Times. 1966-04-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Haile Selassie - King, God or Redeemer?". Black History Month 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Rastafari: Holy days". BBC. October 20, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ Admin. "Ethiopia, Jamaica Set To Foster Historic Ties". African Leadership Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-01.