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Africa:
Religion: Rastafarian:
The Wisdom of
Rastafari: quotes from Haile
Selassie, part 3
The Spiritual Bookstore Online World Religion Library
The Wisdom of Rastafari
LAND POLICY
For those of you who possess the land and labour but lack capital, we
have made credit
available at low interest. For those of you who have the necessary finance
but do not possess
land to work on, we have, in accordance with our 'Proclamation' which
entitles every Ethiopian
to ownership of land, established offices in every province through which
you may be able to
acquire land. Those who have neither land nor money will be granted land and
financial loans
at low interest. For those of you who possess land, who have financial
resources and manpower,
we have made experts available to furnish you with the necessary guidance
and advice in your
various undertakings.
Land Reform
The essence of land reform is, while fully respecting the principle of
private ownership, the
landless people must have the opportunity to possess their own land, that
the position of
tenant farmers must be improved, and that the system of taxation applying to
land holdings
must be the same for all.
It is our aim that every Ethiopian own his own land, in implementation of
this principle. We
have ourselves set the example by ordering that certain lands in Arussi
Province heretofore
administered by our Ministry of the Imperial Court be distributed to the
tenants working on
them, against payment by each man only of the nominal fees charged for the
transfer and the
registration of this property in his own name.
This has been the basic objective of virtually every modern programme of
land reform; this
is the ultimate goal of the study now being undertaken by the Committee of
Land Reform.
RESOURCES
The ultimate resource of a nation is its people.
Unless this resource is employed for the benefit of the nation, unless the
latent good which
it represents is exploited to the maximum for the common good the nation
will languish, poor
in spirit, lacking in achievernent.
But no people can make their full contribution to the life of the nation
to which they ovve
allegiance unless they possess and enjoy those few fundamental prerequisites
indispensable
to rendering their participation in the affairs of their country both
possible and
significant.
The growth of a people is complex and inter-related. Man must be
educated; he cannot come to
grips with or cope with or understand the modern world unless he has been
taught about it. He
must be assured of a minimum economic security; concern himself with matters
going beyond
the day-to-day satisfaction of his physical needs. unless he is fed and
clothed and sheltered,
nor can he acquire a sufficient degree of social consciousness to be able to
support his
own personal interests to the good of the nation and the development of its
society.
Freedom, liberty, the rights of manùthese mean little to the ignorant,
the hungry, the
ill-clothed, the badly housed.
It is our desire to see a much larger number of our young people
benefitting from the
resources we have our own and have received as aid from abroad, and our
young people
graduating in the fields of technology and industrial relation.
It is essential that, however great the sacrifice needed to curb economic
stagnation may
be, available resources be as judiciously used as possible on a carefully
selected list of
priorities.
AGRICULTURE
Since Ethiopia's economy is predominantly agricultural, agriculture must
play a large role
in the plans which have been drawn up, at our command, for our empire's
development.
It is the duty of all to apply the skill of their minds to the factories,
the trading centres
and the roads and communications which are also evidence of Ethiopia's
prosperity, of
Ethiopia's strength.
During the past year (1958) the abrupt cessation of rainfall during the
growing season
caused considerable damage to Ethiopia's crops. This experience has
demonstrated that
the rivers of our country should be devoted to irrigation, so that the food
needs of our ever
growing population will no longer be left at the mercy of the whims and
caprices of the
elements.
The fruits of the farmer's labour must be enjoyed by him whose toil has
produced the crop.
The uses of trees are many and varied. Groves of trees protect our fields
and plantations
from being desiccated by the desert winds which blow from neighbouring
regions During the
summer months, they provide moisture and shade. If trees are not presently
planted to replace
those being cut down from time to time, our constant efforts to conserve and
develop the
wealth of our country through the welfare of present and future generations
will be rendered
ineffective and futile.
We are greatly grieved to observe the many thousands of gashas of rich
forest land being
destroyed every year by reckless timber-cutting, thoughtless forest burning,
unregulated
forest grazing and other misuses of our forest wealth, due to popular
ignorance and desire
for temporary advantage on the part of our people.
The existence or non-existence of forest wealth in a country is one of
the most important
factors influencing its development and progress. The increasing pace of
deforestation and
the growing dearth of timber in Ethiopia, caused by unregulated tree-cutting
and the failure
to replace these by new plantings, give us occasion for anxiety that a
severe economic
problem will confront the coming generation. It is essential that steps be
taken here and
now to stop this wastage and check this destruction.
In these days when all nations of the world, in recognition of the
tremendous importance of
forest wealth, have launched intensive progranmes for forest conservation
and re-forestation,
it behoves our county also to take the appropriate measures to solve this
problem.
It is our wish and our desire that each and every citizen of our country
follow the example
we set on this Arbour Day in planting this tree, and himself plant as many
trees as he can,
for his own benefit as well as for the benefit of future generations.
Without agricultural expansion, industrial growth is impossible. Great
strides, it is true,
have been made in introducing industries into Ethiopia in recent years. But
in any
less-developed agrarian country possessing only limited possibilities for
selling the
products of its factories in world export markets, industry can grow only if
there exists
an increasingly prosperous rural consumer population. Industrialisation is
not an alternative
to the development of agriculture; rather, the development of agriculture is
the essential
pre-condition to the growth of industry.
Measures will shortly be proposed to Parliament for action to be taken to
preserve, for
the benefit of present and future generations, the nation's forests which
are not only
valuable in themselves as a source of wood, but act as nature's guardian
against the forces
of erosion, which, unchecked, can transform fertile areas into barren and
sterile desert.
FINE ARTS
A purely materialistic art would be like a tree which is expected to bear
fruit without
flowering and to sacrifice grace and beauty for mere utility.
Our admiration for the creator's handiwork should not be limited to those
things he has
provided us with for our daily needs, but should include all that is good
and beautiful.
It is these tender feelings of deep and silent admiration evoked from our
hearts by the
beauties of creation that should find adequate expression in the fine arts.
Music, drama and the other arts are rooted in the ancient history of our
empire, and their
development to an even higher peak of perfection will be possible in the
atmosphere of a
university. Ethiopia possesses an ancient literature and its study can be
fostered here so
thag the Ethiopian youth inspired by this national example, may raise it to
yet higher levels
of excellence.
The study of the heroic history of our empire will stimulate the
imagination of building
authors and teachers.
HEALTH
There is nothing as precious to man as a sound mind in a sound body and
it is essential that
the physical well being of our people merits as much attention as its
spiritual welfare.
INTER AFRICA
There is absolutely no doubt that Africans will eventually obtain their
freedom and
independence in spite of their present difficulties.
The people of African origin have emigrated to all parts of the world,
but wherever they may
be, they have similar historical experience and the problems that await them
depend on
sympathy and this can be used by all of us as the basis for the
establishment of greater
cooperation, which will be for our mutual benefit.
Haile Selassie to Parliament in Jamaica:
The people of Jamaica, by and large, have originated in Africa. This gives
us another basis
upon which we can contract a healthy relation because of the fundamental
similarity between
us, that will in the long run contribute to a better maintenance of
international peace and
security.
The Organization of African Unity is an organization which the people of
our vast continent
have established with a view of performing certain specific tasks. Briefly
speaking, the
organization is established for the purpose of protecting in a better
fashion, the independence
of African States.
It is also meant to expedite the economic and social progress through
cooperation of African
peoples. It also has the important task of assisting in the maintenance of
initernational peace
and security. And in accordance with the Charter of O.A.U., we eradicate
colonialism and
apartheid.
ETHIOPIA'S WORLD POSITION
Because of her unity and independence, Ethiopia had and still has jealous
enemies and
aggressive dissidents.
It is therefore the primary duty of every Ethiopian to safeguard the
unity and freedom that
has been fortified since time immemorial by the courage and bravery of our
forefathers.
We have to maintain its integrity, to work and benefit from its existence.
Ethiopia is a nation fully committed to African unity and to the greater
cause of world peace
and subsequently shall continue to support and strengthen the O.A.U., which
was established
as an African instrument for peace and progress.
Ethiopia is, by her own choice, a nonaligned state. Our Policies on the
vexatious
international issues of the day have been declared to all, and our adherence
to them is
steadfast: the urgent imperative of universal disarmament, the settlement of
disputes by
peaceful negotiation, the supremacy of reason and logic over force and
irrationality.
We insist that the way to peace among men and nations rests in the
even-handed application
and enforcement of the principles of the United Nations and Organization of
African Unity:
non-interference in the internal affairs of others, self determination for
the remaining
dependent peopies of the world, respect for the territorial integrity of
independent states
In the conduct of the international affairs of our nation, we have placed
high value upon
personal contacts between peoples and leaders of nations.
Ethiopia is a peace-loving nation. Except for those times when it had to
rise up in arms to
fight-off aggression or to advance the cause of collective security; there
is not one instance
in history of Ethiopia provoking a conflict by violating territorial
integrity or by
interfering in the internal affairs of others, and there will never be any
such instance.
However, Ethiopia will never be found wanting in its efforts to strengthen
its defence force,
sustained as it is by the traditional valor of its gallant people, to thwart
the designs of
those who are bent on violating the freedom and unity of its people and its
territorial
integrity.
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
In matters of foreign policy we have been ever guided by three basic
principles.
First is our deep conviction that, where there is no lack of goodwill, all
international
disputes can be resolved through negotiations, without recourse to violence.
An inevitable
corollary of this belief is our firm conviction that all nations, whatever
their political
persuasions, can live together in peace.
Second is our unswerving devotion to the principle of collective
security.
Third, flowing from the principle of collective security, is the
necessity, in these anxious
days when the major powers are engaged in a frantic arms race, for all
countries which have
accepted this principle and assumed a share of the responsibility for
ensuring the peace of
the world, to become ever stronger militarily.
As we have stated time and time again, we are firmly persuaded that the
path to guaranteeing
the peace of the world lies in supporting the principle of collective
security ard the United
Nations Charter, combined with a progressive reduction of the armaments
which are being built
up throughout the world. The billions of dollars which are now wasted on
this fruitless effort
could with great benefit, be diverted into the constructive channels of aid
for the economic
growth of under-developed countries.
Personal Diplomacy
International friendship can be strenthened and deepened by the personal
exchange of ideas
between leaders of nations.
What the economically backward countries are looking forward to, however
is the application
of the money now dumped on destructive armament to the solution of economic
problems.
The Need for Concerted Action
What is called for at this critical time is for the international
community to move from mere
rejection and condemnation to taking action. The international community has
many options,
but what has been lacking so far is political will.
The world is only now coming to realize what Ethiopia and Africa have
long recognized, that
peace, independence and prosperity of mankind can be achieved and assured
only by the
collective and united efforts of free men who are prepared to maintain
eternal vigilance and
abour unceasingly to protect these most precious of God's gifts.
FATE
Whatever the task may be, man may begin it but he cannot complete it,
unless God sustains and
supports him. If he fails to accomplish the task on which he has set out,
having worked to the
best of his ability, he is not to be maligned by being called lazy.
Man may, at the onset, control the direction which events take, but once
his choice is made,
events soon escape his control and history proceeds by its own force and
momentum.
LIFE
What life has taught me on the question of racial discrimination, I like
to share with those
who want to learn.
That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another
inferior is finally and
permanently discredited and abandoned.
That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any
nation;
That until the colour of a man's skin is no more significance than the
colour of his eyes:
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without
regard to race;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and
the rule of
international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued but
never attained;
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola,
in Mozambique
and in South Africa in sub-human bondage have been toppled and destroyed;
Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self interest have
been replaced by
understanding and tolerance and goodwill;
Until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of the
Almighty;
Until that day, the African continent will not know peace. We Africans will
fight, if
necessary, and we know that we shall win, as we are confident in the victory
of good over
evil.
It will be self deceiving and a waste of time to advocate dialogue with
those who are not
ready to listen, because it is obvious that the freedom of millions is not a
commodity subject
to bargaining.
It is a fact that young people have always been impatient. This
intemational movement is
therefore not surprising. Such move ments sometimes bring useful ideas into
the open, but
very often these ideas turn out to be harmful and contrary to ordinary
progress.
This impatience and agitation result in larue part from a
rnisunderstanding of realities. We
are convinced that young people must learn to use their heads rather than
their fists. They
should be heard, but also guided for the common good.
Young people will be young people. You cannot change the uncouth manners
of the youth.
Besides there is nothing new in that: there is never anything new under the
sun. They can't
know it because they lack experience, they lack wisdom. Examine the past:
you'll see that
the disobedience of the young has occurred all through history. The young
don't know what
they want.
Life is like the theatre - One mustn't try to understand it all at once
and immediately. It is
no longer amusing.
There are good men and wicked. The former should be made use of and the
latter punished,
without attempting to understand why the ones are good and the others
wicked. We demand
too much of men to be able to respect them ...
That which man dreams of and to Which he aspires, unless fulfilled in his
own lifetime, can
produce no actual satisfaction to him. It will be self deceiving and a waste
of time to
advocate dialogue with those who are not ready to listen, because it is
obvious that the
freedom of millions is not a commodity subject to bargaining. It is better
to die free than
to live as slaves.
DEATH
Now, however, it has become your fate to obey the order of the great and
merciful Lord, a
lot that befalls each and everyone of us in our turn.
As it were, after you had accomplished what was within your bounds, you
have slept, but
although you depart from us physically, yow works and your name will always
remain among
us.
On the death of Prince Makonnen:
Mortality is man's inevitable course. We must patiently accept God's
resolution in giving us
Makonnen, the one whom he gave us to be the ornament of our life, and
recalling him.
Death changes everything, sweeps everything away. Even mistakes.
MISCELLANEOUS
Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who could have
acted, the indifference of
those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when
it mattered most,
that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
The glorious pages of human history have been written only in those
moments when men have
been able to act in concert to prevent impending tragedies. By the actions
you take you can
also illuminate the pages of history.
When you make man rich in the honours of this world and appoint him above
other creatures,
that it be known that It is not for his merit but only through your
benevolence and generosity,
Since no creature created in Your image and to Your pattern gives up hope
that everything he
begs of You will be done for him until the day You sever his soul from his
body, we beseech
You that Ethiopia should not remain with her freedom extinct and prostrate
under an alien
ruler, so that the mouth of her people be silenced for fear of a foreign
governor, but rather,
that You will save them by Your deeds of kindness lest they remain with
their hearts
oppressed through being deprived of their own Ethiopian ruler who was
leading them towards
civilization under a light yoke and with gladness
O Lord, abode of exiles, light of the blind, truth and justice are Your
thrones. Receive us
who have been exiled for our freedom's sake, who have had to leave our
country on account of
violent assault, In praying to You thus, it is not for our righteousness but
for Your great
mercies.
Technical and scientific advances have combined to raise mankind to a
level of material
achievement never before realized.
A house built on granite and strong foundations, not even the onslaught
of pouring rain,
gushing torrents and strong winds will be able to pull down. Some people
have written the
story of my life representing as truth what in fact derives from ignorance,
error or envy;
but they cannot shake the truth from its place, even if they attempt to make
others believe it.
Sports being the symbol of fraternity and team work there can be no doubt
of its utility or
of the sound virtues which it develops.
Unemployment is harmful - it harms and damages the unemployed himself,
his nation and his
country. Employers should strive to create more jobs. Workers should attend
to their work with
diligence and vigour. These twin attributes are the cornerstones for
progress.
I know of the love which the Jamaican people entertain for the people of
Ethiopia and the
welcome which you have given me this day is evidence of it.
I know that the Jamaican people were very sympathetic when Ethiopia was
occupied during the
fascist regime. During that time, Jamaicans as well as others who had
African blood supported
the Ethiopian Liberation Movement.
And now that we are free we must assume the responsibility to work for the
greater unity of all
peoples of African origin.
It is quite true that a country can achieve material progress alone.
However, we know from the
experiences of the past that internaltional cooperation tends to quicken the
pace for progress of
individual countries.
This is again another area for us to think about and see in what way we
can further expand the
relations of the people of Jamaica and Ethiopia.
From another fundamental point of view, this is precisely why the O.A.U.
has been
established. It is because the African continent, which comprises more than
250 million people,
if it were to remain divided among more than 30 states, their individual
voices would not carry
weight. It is precisely why, since there is an identity of interest, we have
attempted to include
Jamaica.
Also, so that we can carry this weight in the councils of nations, and
also through the
process of cooperation and expanded economic relations we might be in a
position to quicken
the pace of development of the individual member countries of the O A U.
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