Sistrenites! March, 2006 Rastafari Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 03

SistrenItes! March, 2006 Rastafari Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 03

QueenQueen OmegaOmega

Being the Balming Mistress of Many Worlds She Charges the Powerhouse Right Now.

- The Promise Key

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Volume 3, Issue 03 From the Editor’s Tukul Page 1

Life has taught us that wisdom, knowledge and over- Inside this issue: standing are encoded within our DNA and written into the scrolls of our hearts. It is through man and wombman’s desire that these treasures flourish and nourish Editorial page 1 the inner man. The bible bears witness that wisemind is of gentle voice, for her ways are pleasant; even while she tests a person’s Irits for loyalty and humility. Her Celebrating the 2-3 treasures make Rulers out of man and Ivine Nurturers Life of and Healers out of woman. For these reasons, Itege Menen wisemind will not give tarry with the foolish nor be- stow her precious pearls upon the unworthy.

HIM Haile 4 Wisemind is like a seed which germinates in the dark- Sellassie I Speaks ness of the womb, buried deep within the soil of one About Itege and ones soul. Mother Earth, herself, contains the soil Menen within which the seeds of life are sown. She bears the weight of Man, Woman and Child and is relied upon to give and give and give. Upon her we depend to sup- Queen Omega: 5 port the needs of man, woman and child so that we Our Mother, may fulfill the Word and be fruitful and multiply. Our Role Model Mother Earth keeps herself within the righteous order by Sis Khanysia and has never rebelled and therefore She is Itinually fertile. Ever faithful, she is loyal and thereby replen- Itege Menen 6-8 ished by the Hands of the Almighty; she does not want for anything and because of this, she does not require. Timeline Even when unconscious mankind abuses and misuses her she is able to fulfill her role and pass the beautiful Balming Mistress 8 harvest of her replenishment onto the Man, woman of Many Worlds, and child, from the beginning until Forever!

She Charges the Much like I AM Irits which traveled above the waters amidst perfect darkness, life begets life within the calm, Powerhouse silent blackness of the womb. Even creation is birthed within the depths of the womb, in the perfect light, which is the fire, contained within darkness. Wombman has been blessed with the gift of participation in this In the Presence of 9 marvel of creation as she is a womb carrier; she is a Mother Earth and Daughter of the Most I – Rastafari. She, as a Righteous wombman, travels the paths of the unseen and visits the inner chambers. Her Majesty Let us keep aware that when man and woman were begotten in Africa, the mother birthplace and original Itege Menen: 10 womb of mankind, I AM said to the original Black man and wombman, “Go ye forth, be fruitful and multiply”. For this reason, all of creation supports the life within Mother Earth and Black Man, Woman and Child. For “As Sarah Was they are the seed carriers, the original nurturers of LIFE. And have held the Word within the DNA from that Abraham…” day up to now. Original concept of life- Ethiopia, Mother Earth, Birth of Man, Woman and Child; which is the concept of the original trinity.

And so we come to a space of meditation within the month of March in which we rest our eyes upon Her Majesty – Itege Menen. Consort of the Most I. Mother of the nation. We sistren, in particular, look to the light of Her Majesty and we wonder within ourselves, “Who is this Wombman? What does She represent? What is Her true value and meaning to myself as a wombman and daughter of the Most I?”

Due to the language barrier we, who do not yet overstand Amharic, have searched, sometimes in vain, for an abundance of written material about Her character, personality, thoughts and works. The little that we do have, we give thanks HIM. The sistren trading spiritual elevation are required to make a transition from the outward image of Her Majesty into the more internal Ites of perception, intuition and wisemind. We have to complete our search for Her Majesty from within. And as HIM would have it, through perfect wisemind and knowledge; it is my humble suggestion that this was perhaps the purpose of this destined journey all the while. Because as wombman, we most naturally rely upon our inborn intuition.

Reasonings on Her Majesty will be continued throughout this Special Empress Menen March edition of Sis- trenItes, as it travels from page to page. I wish each and everyone a blessed and speedy journey to Mount Zion, all within HIM time.

To Contact InI, Please Email: Give thanks HIM for this third year of production of SistrenItes Empress Menen Special Edition. Sistreniteseditor @Rastafarionline.com Sis Leah Bayaka Sellassie

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Volume 3, Issue 03 Celebrating the Life of Itege Menen: A Biography Page 2

Empress Menen Asfaw (March 25, 1889 - February 15, 1962) was the The battle of Segelle). The circumstances of the marriage and how it wife and consort of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Empress came about are allegedly detailed in the unpublished memoirs of Ras Menen was the daughter of Asfaw, Jantirar of Ambassel. He was a Imiru Haile Selassie, Emperor Haile Selassie's cousin and childhood direct descendant of Emperor Libna Dingel, through Emperor Ge- companion, who was party to the marriage arrangements and was lawdewos of Ethiopia and his daugther Princess Enkulal Gelawdewos intimately acquainted with these events. It is also detailed in the re- and this genealogy was deleted from the official history of Etege Me- cently published Amharic biography "Tafari Makonnen, Rejimu ye nen. However, the title of Jantirar has traditionally belonged to the Siltan Guzo" (Taffari Makonnen, the Long Journey to Power) by Am- head of the family holding the mountain fortress of Ambassel, and bassador Zewde Retta. Jantirar Asfaw was one of them. The account given in the Autobiog- On the other hand, her mother raphy of the Emperor, My Life and was Woizero Sehin Mikael, half- Ethiopia's Progress, mentions no sister of Lij Iyasu (Iyasu V), and previous marriage or children of daughter of King Mikael of Wollo. Empress Menen and no such order Woizero Sehin's mother, Woizero by Iyasu, but states only that at the Fantaye Gebru, was a direct de- age of 20, they were married by scendant of Emperor Susenyos in their own mutual consent, and de- the "Seyfe Melekot" line. Empress scribes her as "a woman without any Menen and Emperor Haile Selassie I malice whatsoever". When Tafari were the parents of six children: Makonnen became Emperor of Princess Tenagnework, Prince As- Ethiopia as Haile Selassie I, Menen faw Wossen (Emperor-in-Exile Asfaw was crowned as Empress at Amha Selassie I), Princess Tsehai, his side. Princess Zenebework, Prince Ma- konnen Duke of Harrar, and Prince Empress Menen was active in pro- Sahle Selassie. moting women's issues in Ethiopia, was Patroness of the Ethiopian Red According to both published and Cross, and also the Ethiopian unpublished reports, the then Wo- Women's Charitable Organization. izero Menen Asfaw was given in She was also patroness of the Jerusa- marriage by her family, to the lem Society that arranged for pil- prominent Wollo nobleman, De- grimages to the Holy Land. She jazmatch Ali of Cherecha, and bore founded the Empress Menen School him a daughter, Woizero Belaynesh for Girls in Addis Ababa, the first all Ali, and a son, Jantirar Asfaw Ali. girls school which had both boarding This first marriage ended in di- and day students. Girls from all over vorce, and Woizero Menen then the Empire were brought to the married Dejazmatch Amede Ali school to receive a modern educa- Aba-Deyas, another very promi- tion, encouraged by the Empress nent nobleman of Wollo. She bore who visited it often and presided her second husband two children over its graduation ceremonies. The as well, a daughter, Woizero Desta Empress gave generously, as well as Amede, and a son, Jantirar Gebreg- sponsored programs for the poor, ill ziabiher Amede. Following the and disabled. She was also a devoutly sudden death of her second hus- religious woman who did much to band, Woizero Menen's grandfa- support the Ethiopian Orthodox ther, King Mikael of Wollo ar- Tewahedo Church. She built, reno- ranged her marriage to Ras Leul vated and endowed numerous Seged Atnaf Seged, a prominent Shewan nobleman, sometime in late churches in Ethiopia and in the Holy Land. Prominent among these 1909 or early 1910. Empress Menen had no children by Ras Leul are the St. Raguel Church in Addis Ababa's Merkato district, the Ki- Seged. Ras Leul Seged was considerably older than Woizero Menen. dane Mehret (Our Lady Covenant of Mercy) Church on Mount En- Woizero Menen probably met Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen at the toto, and the Holy Trinity Monastery on the banks of the River Jor- home of her uncle, Lij Iyasu. The rapport between the two may have dan in the Holy Land. She gave generously from her personal funds inspired Lij Iyasu to attempt to bind Dejazmatch Tafari to him more towards the building of the new Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion at firmly through marriage ties. He therefore arranged the separation of Axum, but did not live to see it completed and dedicated. Woizero Menen from Ras Leul Seged, and sent her to Harar to marry Dejazmatch Tafari Makonnen. They were married in early August of When the Empress was exiled from Ethiopia during the Italian occu- 1911. Ras Leul Seged apparently did not hold a grudge against De- pation from 1936 to 1941, she made a pledge to the Virgin Mary at jazmatch Tafari for this circumstance, blaming it entirely on Lij Iyasu the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, promising to give her crown who had ordered it. He was among the leaders who fought against to the church if Ethiopia were liberated from occupation. The Em- the Iyasuist forces upon the fall of Lij Iyasu in 1917, and died in that battle (This battle was known as 'Ye-segelle Tornnet' which means (Continued on page 3)

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Volume 3, Issue 03 Celebrating the Life of Itege Menen: A Biography Page 3

(Continued from page 2) the Crown Prince, who had been proclaimed monarch by the coup leaders. It was noted that the Crown Prince had accompanied his press made numerous pilgrimages to Holy Sites in then British-ruled mother in a drive through the palace grounds, making stops at Impe- Palestine, in Syria and in Lebanon, during her exile to pray for her rial Guard posts to exchange pleasantries with the guards, on the occupied homeland. Following the return of Emperor Haile Selassie night before the coup was launched. The ailing Empress had been and his family to Ethiopia in 1941, a replica of the crown was made urged to visit the posts by security officials, who were concerned for future Empresses, but the original crown that Empress Menen was about the soldiers' morale, and perhaps had an idea that something crowned at her husband's side in 1931 was sent to the Church of the was brewing. The appearance of the Empress with the Crown Prince Nativity in Bethlehem. Empress Menen, although often seen wearing a at her side may have been used by coup leaders as an indication to tiara at public events that called for it, would never again wear a full their followers that the Empress might sympathise with a movement crown. that brought her favored son to the throne. It is extremely unlikely that either the Empress or the Prince had any idea of what was being Empress Menen performed perfectly in the role of Empress-consort. plotted. However, a cloud of suspicion never left the Crown Prince, In her public role she combined religious piety, concern for social and the Empress was deeply saddened by this. causes, and support for development schemes with the majesty of her Imperial status. Outwardly she was the dutiful wife, visiting schools, Following her translation (passing) in 1961, the Empress was buried in churches, exhibitions and model farms, attending public and state the crypt of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa among the tombs events at her husband's side or by herself. She took no public stand of her children. Prime Minister Aklilu Haptewold delivered her eulogy on political or policy issues. Behind the scenes however, she was the paying tribute to her charity, her piety, and her role as advisor and Emperor's most trusted advisor, quietly offering advice on a whole helpmate to the Emperor, as well as her personal kindness and good- range of issues. She avoided the public political role taken by her ness. On the third day memorial and commemoration after the fu- predecessor as Empress-consort, Empress Taitu Bitul, whose political neral, the Emperor himself payed tribute to his wife by saying that activism had caused deep resentment in government circles during although the Prime Minister had aptly described what kind of person the reign of Menelik II. his late wife had been, he wanted to say that during their five decades of marriage, not once had it been necessary to have a third party The Empress and some of her family were placed under house arrest mediate between him and his wife, and that their marriage had been briefly during the 1960 Imperial Guard coup attempt against her hus- one of peace and mutual support. The Emperor's grief was indeed band at her villa outside the Guenete Leul Palace grounds in northern profound. Addis Ababa. Following the return of the Emperor and the crushing of the coup attempt, there was much speculation as to the conduct of Text provided by: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Menen-Asfaw

Matrimonial Affidavit

His Majesty Ras Tafari said: now sweet heart my dear wonder, just take this drench of perfect wonders and live with me for life. His Majesty King Alpha and Queen Omega being the keepers of the tree of life said, Dear heart before we take charge of the Guest Chamber of Creation He said that they had to clear God’s perfect reputation and the tree of life.

“The Promise Key”, Leonard Howell

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Volume 3, Issue 03 His Imperial Majesty Haile Sellassie I Speaks About Itege Menen Page 4

``We are pleased with the speech Our Prime Minister delivered yesterday on behalf of Our Ministers and Our people concerning the demise of Her Imperial Majesty Itegue Menen in which he adequately described her kindness and virtues.

All of you knew her well but she was more intimately known by I. She was devoutly religious and did not lose her faith even in times of hardship. During the memorable days of our companionship, we never had differences that needed the intervention of others. As Sarah was to Abraham, so was she obedient to I. Our wishes were mutual until we were separated by the Almighty. Her assistance for the good of the young, the old and the needy requires no testimony for they are greater than thoughts and words.

We have been extremely pleased to live long enough in the perfect union that enabled us to see our offspring, our grandchildren and our great grandchildren. We are thankful to the Almighty for having vouchsafed to us that long uninterrupted union which is not very common in the world today: There could be no more profound prayer for I to utter.

In spite of Our utmost efforts to save her life in her time of illness, she was overtaken by the fate of Adam and passed away. We cannot fly in the face of the Almighty, nor can we afford to be idle. Now that the time of mourning has come to an end, the public and our officials must attend to their duties. As idleness is injurious to the welfare of the country, as from Monday everyone should return to his work.

A large number of people have come from the Provinces to take part in Our mourning. Since We do not wish them to continue because this will disrupt normal life, it would be better for them to send two or three representatives with letters. We are deeply touched by the expressions of grief both on the part of Our people and the foreign communities.

This is not the first time that Our people have joined Us in Our mourning. When Our beloved son, Prince Makonnen, passed away they ex- pressed their grief in no less measure than We ourselves. They have even contributed, of their own free will to erect a monument in his honor. We pray the Almighty shall recompense you for your deeds.

When Itegue was sick, the general public, following the events through the radio, shared Our anxiety. To the doctors and her personal attendants We owe a debt for their untiring assistance. May these tears We shed be accepted by God as price for peace in Ethiopia and in the world.”

February 15, 1962

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear (of the Lord). Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel. Instead your beauty should consist of your true inner self, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of an ageless gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of the I AM of great price.

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in I AM, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessels, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

1 Peter 3:1-7

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Volume 3, Issue 03 Queen Omega: Our Mother, Our Role Model Page 5

"All of you knew her well but she was more intimately known by I. She was devoutly religious and did not lose her faith even in times of hardship. During the memorable days of our companionship, we never had differences that needed the intervention of others. As Sarah was to Abra- ham, so was she obedient to I. Our wishes were mutual until we were separated by the Almighty. Her assistance for the good of the young, the old and the needy requires no testimony for they are greater than thoughts and words.

For H.I.M. to have paid such a tribute to his Empress she must have been an exceptional woman. This is why us as Rasta Queens, Dawtas, and Empresses have the perfect example. Empress Menen, Queen Omega, Mother of Iration lived. When I say she lived I mean she really was a conscious Empress. I con- sider myself truly blessed to have Her Imperial Highness as who I can look up to and emulate. Proverbs 31:10-31 is no longer mere words for me but has come to life through Her Imperial Majesty. Empress Menen was a woman of noble character. She faced a lot of hardships but she faced them head on and with dignity.

I have always been told that the Rastafari Trod is not an easy road. It is not for the weak and fainthearted. Empress Menen faced a lot of tribulations. She buried some of her own youths. And there is nothing as painful as losing a child. She watched her beloved Ithopia going into war. She had to go to exile. There are so many tribulations that she went through yet she stood strong in her faith. This is the first lesson that I have learnt from our Beloved Mother. As a Rasta woman there is a lot of tribulations that you go through and you have to stand strong in what you know and not what you are feeling. The knowledge that if Jah Rastafari is for us who can be against us. Her trust that Jah is in control of everything. It has always been difficult for me when things don’t go as I had planned in my life to trust Jah and surrender to H.I.M. and his plan. I always tended to try and fix it first and then when I have failed then I will pray. Empress Menen has taught me that prayer should be my first call of action and then Jah Jah will show the way.

Empress Menen was a true Mother. A true Mother does not only look after her biological youths but she sees every youth as her own. In 1935 she gave her estate to the orphans whose parents had been killed by the enemy. She championed education not just in her speeches but she contributed a lot prac- tically. She founded the Empress Menen School for girls, which saw girls getting an education. She inaugurated a handicraft school. She often donated money to different schools. She often visited the schools as well to encourage and motivate the students in those schools. She had a generous spirit. She often gave from her own personal funds.

Queen Omega was a humble and dutiful wife and attended to all her stately duties with her husband or by herself. She was also H.I.M.’s most trusted advisor, advising on a wide range of issues. To be His Majesty’s most trusted advisor she needed to be knowledgeable about a whole number of issues. She kept herself informed of what was going on around her and the rest of the world. His Imperial Majesty said in that in their almost five decades of marriage, they never needed a mediator to solve their misunderstandings. How many of us could say the same thing about our unions, which are nowhere near the five decades.

Empress Menen could have chosen to live the life of an over-indulged Empress whose only concern was vanity. Yet she chose not to, she chose to be in touch with the people and their needs as a true Mother of Iration. She did not concern herself with fashion, she dressed modestly. When His Imperial Majesty said that Ithiopians should start wearing their traditional attire so that future generations could do the same, Empress Menen did as well.

My hope for this month as we celebrate Her Majesty’s earthlight is that we as Rasta women can strive to be more like our Mother.

Sis Khanysia Puwani Port Elizabeth, South Africa

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Volume 3, Issue 03 Itege Menen Timeline (Ethiopian Calendar) Page 6

March 25, 1883 Born Menen Asfaw in Wollo province to Jantirar Asfaw and Woizero Sehin Michael.

Baptized in St. Delba George church as Wolete Giorgis.

1892 First marriage.

July 30, 1903 Married Dejazamatch Tafari Makonnen.

Jan 22, 1905 Fikirte Miriam born (daughter).

July 8, 1908 Asfa Wossen born (son).

July 18, 1909 Hirute Sellassie “Zenebework” born (daughter).

1910 Empress Taitu turned over completion of the Kidane Mihret church in Addis to Menen. A portion of her estate was given for this project which became a monastery and haven for many Christians.

Oct 2, 1912 Wolete Birhan “Tsehai” born (daughter). “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband” March, 1915 Proverbs 12:4 Traveled to Jerusalem and Egypt, visited many holy places and donated to various churches and monasteries.

Oct 5, 1916 Orice Makonnen born (son).

Nov 7, 1917 Daughter Tenangne Work given in marriage to Ras Desta Damtew.

June, 1920 Visited Tafari Makonnen School and made donation.

Sept 27, 1921 Ras Tafari became Negus and Woizero Menen presided over an 8-day feast.

Nov 18, 1921 Traveled to Djibouti due to health problems and returned Dec 9th.

Sept 24, 1923 Founded a girl’s school near Genete Loul Palace.

Nov 2, 1923 Emperor and Empress Coronation

Feb 20, 1924 Sahile Aba Dina born (son) at Her age of 41. “Houses and riches are the inheritance of April 30, 1924 fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Asfa Wossen married Wolete Israel. LORD.” Proverbs 19:14

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Volume 3, Issue 03 Itege Menen Timeline (Ethiopian Calendar) Page 7

Nov 11, 1925 Oversaw construction of St. Hana Church on her estate land at Furi. Gave the priests and deacons acres of land for residence quarters.

Sept 6, 1926 Visited Jerusalem and returned to construct the St. Trinity Church.

1928 Gathered women and prepared war-time logistical support and first aid materials and sent them to the battlefield.

Sept 13, 1928 Spoke at Women’s World Conference against war.

Nov, 1928 Drove around Addis Ababa encouraging the residents during bombing.

Waged spiritual warfare through fervent prayer.

1928 – 1933 Exiled in England.

Aug 23, 1933 Returned to Addis Ababa.

1934 Gave speech in Wollo province. Constructed Menen Girl’s School.

“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: 1935 but a woman that feareth the Lord, Gave portion of her estate to war orphans. she shall be praised” Opened the Siwaswe Birhan school for the blind. Proverb 31:30 Nov 11, 1935 The Benefits of Modest Attire Visited Ethiopian Women’s Association and advised on its strengthening. Modest attire relieves a sistren’s energies, removes her attention from vanity, guards her Irits from nega- Oct 5, 1936 tive intentions and frees her mind for an enriched Visited Empress Menen School and advised the girls enjoyment of the treasures found in an uplifted medi- on the importance of studying. tation. Attachment to bodily glorification and desires to “look the part of an empress” holds sistren in 1939 mental bondage which is no different from the Baby- Commenced construction of Gete Semani St. Mary Church lonians. Oh ye Dawtas of Zion, let us heed the with private funds and gave a portion of her estate land warning of Prophet Isaiah, “The women of Zion are as residence for the priests and deacons. haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with July 10, 1939 ornaments jingling on their ankles.” For they will re- Sent her crown to Bethlehem church. semble the baldheads when I AM, “will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make 1941 their scalps bald." (Is. 3:15) Regarding Itege Menen, it Donated portion of her estate on Empress Zauditu street is apparent by Her demeanor that besides Royal for the construction of the school which was to be named after her Protocol, there is neither vanity nor regard for how beloved daughter Zenebework. “royal” and “fashionable” her appearance is. Her Majesty carries a perfect reflection of how when the Jan 24, 1941 Dawtas focus entirely on the beauty of their spirit, Visited Gondar and donated clothing and money to the various exhibiting the “ageless gentle and quiet spirit” of the churches. Holy Matriarchs, they will be greatly rewarded and loved by Qedamawi Haile Sellassie the First.

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Volume 3, Issue 03 Itege Menen Timeline (Ethiopian Calendar) Page 8

Sept 1, 1941 HIM Haile Selassie instructed Ethiopia that cultural apparel should be worn as an example to the future generations. Empress Menen took the initiative to begin dressing in like manner.

1942 Printed 3800 copies of the 14 sacred books, and gave proceeds from sale as donation to the Sewaswe Berhan St. Paul School. Also gave a portion of her mother’s estate for the school’s usage.

Renovated the Gishen Church in the Wollo region and constructed a road which made the church more accessible.

1943 Reconstructed the Boru Trinity Church; which had been devastated during the Italian invasion.

June 7, 1943 Visited Empress Menen Girls School and encouraged the students.

1944 Visited various schools in Nazareth.

1945 Traveled to Eritrea and visited with the people as well as the Ladies Association.

1947 Along with HIM, awarded certificates to female graduating nurses and students.

1948 Bought German Missionary’s land and constructed school for blind or- Through King Michael, Empress Menen could phans and hired teachers and caretakers to care for the youths. trace her ancestry back to Emperor Fasiledes and also to the Prophet Mohammed. 1949 Visited Eritrea.

April 18, 1945 Celebrated 25th anniversary of the Empress Menen Girls School.

1954 Withdrew from public view.

Balming Mistress of Many Worlds, She Charges the Powerhouse By all accounts, Itege Menen was a devout woman who took her faith very seriously. She was well versed in the wisemind of the Bible, prayed diligently and, it is said, went to chapel on a daily basis. Having taken the message of the Bible to heart, She would know the ways of the Holy Women and her thoughts and actions were a testament to such faith as She was found pleasing in the sight of His Majesty and her nation. Being a Mother of the Nation is a great responsibility. Queen Omega has within herself the ability to “Charge the Powerhouse” as Brother Howell indi- cates. Such a power is neither accessible to vain or such which are led by their ego. It is a manifestation of a higher INTERNAL/Iritical purity. It is a state in which a one’s vessel, the Iritical and physical body, is cleansed and humble enough to contain such massive quantities of Hola Irits that one can then pass such “Charge” as a balm/healing/uplifting energy into Iration. To those wombman who are worthy such power is given.

Queen Omega, a prayerful, pious and Holy wombman, initiated each day in prayer. Having kept herself within the prayer realm, she sustained a relationship with the Most High; which is described as a “Perfect Union”. Without negative ego, without vanity, such a union is possible. While Her KING Man -the Highest Himself- waged war on the battle field, Queen Omega waged spiritual warfare against the beast called Mussolini Through prayer and supportive efforts she encouraged her nation’s women and men as She is the Balming Mistress on the right side of HIM. She carried, within the bosom of her soul, the pain and suffering of the senseless violence against Her people. Through prayer She sent forth Her Irits and cried unto I AM for the release of her people. Needing neither titles nor representations of earthly power, She livicated Her crown in exchange for the life of people. Caretaker, nurturer—Mother of the Nation She carried Her weight well, though it took a physical toll. She was found worthy of Her title, even though She readily gave away Her crown through a vow to the Most High!

My sisters, let us livicate ourselves in such a manner to the Most High and the nation—not in Titles and Apparel but through Righteousness!! www.RastafariOnline.com

Volume 3, Issue 03 In the Presence of Her Majesty Page 9

“Near the end of the rainy season in 1942 the Empress asked me if I every one. Two blind men attempted to reach the car, crying and would accompany her on a trip to Bishoftu, a town about thirty miles waving their arms as they came. The guards tried to push them away, southeast of the capital. Since it is approximately 1,500 feet lower in but the Empress spied them and spoke to them, telling them to come altitude, it has a warmer climate and less rain. Bishoftu is a favorite later to the hotel, where she would talk with them. resort spot for the people of Addis Ababa… Since it was a relief to go During the two or three days we spent at the hotel, I went to the to a lower altitude for a time, and, of course, a pleasure to accompany kitchen and prepared some special dishes for the various meals. the Empress, I accepted the invitation. I prepared some food to take Though our Ethiopian cooks were capable and efficient, some extra along, including sugarless cake which she tasty dishes was always appreciated… I ate my always enjoyed. (Empress Menen suffered meals with the Empress, and in the evening we from diabetes) Cooks had preceded us, talked together. There were no newspapers or and they were to be on duty when we radios at Bishoftu, so we exchanged information arrived. I was ready to leave at eleven about the war (WWII). At this time the Battle o’clock, the appointed hour. Her Majesty of Stalingrad was at its height, and the outcome sat on the right side in the rear of the was in the balance. limousine, and I had the folding seat to her left. Abba Hanna sat in front with the Her Majesty asked me about my daily reading of driver. As we left the Palace grounds, the the Bible. She had heard of the book, Steps to workers who were in the vicinity bowed Christ, which we published in Amharic, and she to the Empress, and she nodded in recog- asked if I could obtain one for her. As we nition. In less than two hours we arrived looked through a book of Bible pictures, I would at Bishoftu. start the story that it illustrated, and she would complete it. She was well acquainted with the As we passed through a village a short Bible history and biography. distance from the hotel, local police stood at intervals along the street. Since they On our trip back to Addis Ababa, five people had not had much training in precision drill threw themselves in front of the car. The Em- of presenting arms, it was amusing to see them attempt to do so. press shouted for the driver to stop, and the guards came rushing up When we reached the hotel, however, well-trained Palace guards to take the intruders away. The Empress wanted to hear the com- stood at attention to greet the Empress. plaints of the five persons, so we waited as she listened to their story. She explained that their requests were not within her sphere of deci- We entered the cozy hotel and found dinner awaiting us. The hotel, sion, but she promised to refer them to the Emperor. At one place later rebuilt, was located on the edge of the crater, and there was a she saw a cripple by the roadside, and she ordered him to go to a drop of some two hundred feet to the blue water. A few boats were hospital where she would care for any expenses involved. on the lake, and a number of birds could be seen paddling about. The lake had a beach for swimming and diving. While it was good to be back home again, the few days of vacation with Her Majesty will always be among my most treasured memories.” After a rest period in the afternoon we drove through the town and into the surrounding country. As the car rolled out through the hotel - Excerpt from the book “For God and Emperor” by Della Hanson, a Seventh gate, a number of people were waiting with written requests of one Day Adventist Missionary who served in the Palace. kind or another to deliver to the Empress. She graciously accepted

My mother also obtained an intimate interview the Emperor’s consort Empress Menen, who used her daughter Princess Tsahai as interpreter. In a report of this meeting, which appeared in New Times & Ethiopia News on 31 October 1936, its editor declared that the Empress appeared “thoughtful, mature, capable”, but “wore an air of sorrow, inevitable in the circumstances of tragedy” which “bore so heavily on her people”.

"The worst thing in Africa", the Empress said with feeling, "are the child marriages". She has used her influence to discountenance this in her own country and has induced many parents to postpone the marriage of their daughters to at least eighteen years and to send them to school meanwhile. "You can see she is against it!" the Princess added with humour aside, "for I am past eighteen, and have no thought of marriage yet."

Later in the interview Sylvia noted that the Empress had “interested herself also in the hospitals, and in maternity and infant welfare”, but added that “premature marriage and lack of skilled assistance” had “accounted for a heavy maternal mortality”.

As for the war, Sylvia reported that, when they spoke of it, “the sadness of the Empress deep- ened, her eyes were tearful. She never thought it would come so suddenly…” “The devastating effect of gas warfare had come as a terrible surprise to the women of Ethiopia: they could not conceive it would be so awful.”

Empress with daughter Princess Tsahai - The daughter of Sylvia Pankhurst (well acquainted with the Imperial Family) releases observations made by her mother. http://www.addistribune.com/Archives/2002/01/11-01-02/Sylvia.htm

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Volume 3, Issue 03 Itege Menen: “As Sarah Was to Abraham…” Page 10

Sisters, is there any fault to be found in the Most I RastafarI? Does RasTafarI, in whom we hold faith, misrepresent the truth or lead the people astray? These questions may seem appalling for the faithful. Nevertheless, I offer them to the conscience of sistren “struggling” with the position of wombman in Rastafari. I also bring these questions to the attention of sistren who find themselves in Iritical upheaval at the very mention of the word “submission”. These are great obstacles for us sistren worn down through the non-cultural process of being raised in the belly of the beast.

Dear sistren, I wish to offer a few thoughts on the subject after having an Iditation on the words of His Majesty regarding Her Majesty. To be the wife of the Most High, is not a small matter; not just any woman can fulfill such requirements. Neither is it inconsequential to be an Empress of Zion- Ethiopia. His Majesty shares with the nation that Her Imperial Majesty not only fulfilled such a role but fulfilled it to His pleasing.

Born into the traditions of Ethiopia in the year of 1889, Itege Menen was raised according to the cultural requirements of such times. One biography states that during her youth, she learned “home economics and spinning as was the Ethiopian tradition.” At the tender age of 9 she was given in marriage by her family. In this, she submitted to her family’s will and tradition. As a fruitful bough, which brings forth fruit in due season, Itege Menen birthed two youths in her first customary marriage and two youths in her second customary marriage. All this prior to having met and espoused Qedamawi Haile Sellassie the First through a marriage recognized by church and state.

HIM described his marriage with Itege Menen as “a perfect union”. His Imperial Majesty also mentions that “As Sarah was to Abraham, so was she obedient to I.” Beloveds, what a profoundly simple statement which can be easily read and not so easily digested for many wombman. Sarah is a foundational Matriarch found in the Old Testament Book of Genesis. She is the wife of the Abram, later called Abraham, with whom I AM made a covenant of being the father of many descendents who would rule great nations. (Gen 12). Due to her great beauty, when Abraham and his caravan had to keep moving to escape the famine, he requested twice that she tell one and ones that she was his sister rather than his wife. Although the Bible speaks of two occasions in which Sarah obeyed her husband’s commandments, as a righteous wombman we can be sure that this was an habitual way of life for her. Sarah was not the wife of a foolish man committed to the ways of vanity, ego and destruction. Abraham was a righteous man and I AM said of him, “For I have loved him, because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, doing charity and justice, in order that The Lord might then bring upon Abraham that which He had spoken of him.” (Gen. 18) Such a man, in submission to the Most I, is worthy to be submitted to by a righteous woman. Righteous livity led their home and all members of the household were in submission to that order and vision. As was her cultural livity and tradition, Sarah called her husband, “My Lord” as she honored and submitted, i.e, trusted, the divine within him. Because of her superior qualities, the Father made it known to Abraham, “I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her; yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.” (Gen 17) Just as Sarah trusted, without fear, and respected her husband and submitted to order of their household, of which He was the head, she also learned the fullness of trusting in I AM. For He had promised that through her Abraham would have an heir. Although it came when she least expected it, after waiting for some time, the promised was fullfilled and she gave birth while in her 90s. Because she was a willing participant in the righteous livity set by her husband, Sarah was blessed, through I AM’s grace. Grace was bestowed because she made herself available to I AM for the fulfillment of prophecy. By her desire and commitment, she was found worthy to be the Mother of Nations.

What a crucial lesson for us sistren to Iditate on the importance of HIM’s comparison of Empress Menen to Sarah.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 1