Jamaica–Ethiopia relations

Jamaica–Ethiopia relations are bilateral relations between Jamaica and Ethiopia.

Jamaica–Ethiopia relations

Jamaica

Ethiopia
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Jamaica, Addis AbabaEmbassy of Ethiopia, Kingston
Envoy
Ambassador of Nigeria in JamaicaAmbassador of Jamaica in Nigeria

Origins

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ Pink, Patrina (2010-06-18), "Jamaican Rastas Bring Cultural Diversity To 'Promised Land'", Jamaica Gleaner, retrieved 2013-03-11
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ "BBC World Service - Witness History, Haile Selassie In Jamaica". BBC. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  4. ^ a b Dread, The Rastafarians of Jamaica, by Joseph Owens ISBN
  5. ^ White, p. 211.
  6. ^ "Haile Selassie visits Jamaica | Derek Bishton". Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  7. ^ Rastafari: From Outcasts to Culture Bearers Page 86 by Ennis Barrington Edmonds
  8. ^ Verbal Riddim: The Politics and Aesthetics of African-Caribbean Dub Poetry, page 83 by Christian Habekost
  9. ^ "Haile Selassie Is Mobbed By Jamaica Cult Adherents". The New York Times. 1966-04-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  10. ^ "Haile Selassie - King, God or Redeemer?". Black History Month 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  11. ^ "Rastafari: Holy days". BBC. October 20, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  12. ^ Admin. "Ethiopia, Jamaica Set To Foster Historic Ties". African Leadership Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-01.