The last Emperor of Ethiopia who reigned until 1974. The name Haile Selassie means "Might of the
Trinity" and was the name he assumed on becoming Emperor, having previously been known as Ras (Duke) Tafari Makonen.
Selassie, who was a faithful member of the Orthodox Church, is believed by most Rastafarians to be
God incarnate (something he himself denied). Some believe he is the second coming of Christ (
God the Son), others the incarnation of
God the Father and some say he was the incarnation of both. Others simply believe he was a good man, chosen to lead people to faith in
God.