mon by Ethiopia’s Artist Laureate, Afewerk Tekle
Strong historic, cultural, and spiritual ties have existed between Africans in the Diaspora and Ethiopia for many centuries. In the folklore of African descendants, forcibly transplanted to the Americas and the Caribbean, Ethiopia’s rich history forged a strong sense of identity, purpose, destiny, and hope. After learning the languages of the colonizers into which the Bible was translated, many Africans in the Diaspora came to realize that the very setting, culture, geography, and personalities of the Holy Bible were a part of ‘our-story, not just ‘his-story.’
In the Bible, especially in the Book of Genesis, reference was made to Ethiopia as the land encompassed by the river Ghion, a tributary that flowed out of the Garden of Eden, which is known today as the Blue Nile or Abaya, one of the waters of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:13).
As their interests were kindled, they discovered the great Prophet and Patriarch, Moses, was recorded as marrying an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12). The Psalms also predicted that “Princes would come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands unto God” (Psalms 68:31). In Ethiopia’s written history in Ge’ez and Amharic, it was their Queen of Sheba, known as Makeda, who visited King Solomon to learn of his great wisdom.
This connection to Ethiopia and the Bible became a source of great pride, hope, and consolation for Black people under colonial rule. Ethiopia soon became a symbol of African pride and hope when in 1896, the country defeated the Fascist Italian invaders. This marked the first major defeat of a European power by an African nation during the scramble for Africa. Ethiopia’s victory became a symbol of resistance and political independence for Africans worldwide, fueling African decolonization and inspiring the Pan-African movement.
In 1930, the coronation of Ras Tafari Makonnen as Emperor Haile Selassie I, added further significance to Ethiopia’s role in Africa’s hope for liberation from colonial political, economic and psychological domination. Haile Selassie, representing the world’s oldest Biblical dynasty from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, became an inspiring figure for the Pan African and Black Churches movement. The Imperial Banner and Royal Standard of Ethiopian Emperors, which included the emblem of “The Lion of Judah has prevailed”, became a rallying symbol for awareness of Black people globally.
However, Ethiopia’s fight to preserve her independence continued when Italy invaded again in 1935. This sparked mass protests, demonstrations, and even riots across the African Diaspora. Many Black Americans volunteered to fight for Ethiopia’s defense, and churches across Africa, the U.S., the Caribbean, and South America rallied to support the Ethiopian cause and in particular through the Ethiopian World Federation Inc. Notably, this support culminated and assisted in Ethiopia’s liberation and the triumphant return of Emperor Haile Selassie from exile in 1941.
In recognition of the African Diaspora’s support, Emperor Haile Selassie granted 500 acres of fertile land in Shashamane, Shoa Province, Ethiopia, to Black people from the West in 1948. This land grant was facilitated through the Ethiopian World Federation, which was founded in New York City in 1937 under Haile Selassie’s auspices. Dr. Malaku Bayen, Haile Selassie’s personal physician and a graduate of Howard University, played a key role in rallying support for Ethiopia from the African Diaspora.
Diaspora support for Ethiopia.
History of Repatriation or Migration to Ethiopia
Starting in the late 1950s, several families migrated to Shashamane from the West, accepting the land grant. The majority of these pioneering settlers were from Jamaica, but others came from the U.S. and various Caribbean islands. However, in 1975, the Provisional Military Government of Ethiopia issued a land reform proclamation that nationalized all lands, including the Shashamane Malcoda land grant. After a petition from the settlers, a portion of the original land grant was restored in 1976, and less than 50 acres were returned to these pioneers who came to live in Ethiopia.
Between the period of 1974 and 1991, these settlers endured over 17 years of communist rule, revolutions, wars, insecurity, and other economic and social challenges. With the change in government in 1992, a period of peace and stability ensued, accompanied by a call for national re-development and community involvement. This led the Diaspora repatriated community to the form the Jamaica Rastafarian Development Community (JRDC), a local NGO Charity to implement community projects and to represent the collective interests of the community to the local and federal authorities.
Today, in 2025, the settler population has grown significantly, with three generations born on the gifted land granted in Shashamane. These have integrated into Ethiopian society through birth, marriage, language, economic, and cultural exchanges. Their JRDC Kindergarten and Elementary Educational project has made a significant contribution to the Shashamane community educating over 15000 youths and graduating over 3000 students over these years and currently employing over 29 members of Staff. 100% of the teachers and staff are native Ethiopians.
In conclusion, the ties that bind the African Diaspora to Ethiopia remain strong and profound. These historical connections, built on shared cultural and spiritual heritage, continue to shape the lives of those who have chosen to repatriate to Ethiopia, contributing to the rich tapestry of Ethiopian society today. God bless the ties that bind.
