TIMELINE: April 18-24 | Emperor Haile Selassie I Historic Caribbean Islands Tour
The Lion of Judah’s Caribbean Odyssey: Haile Selassie’s 1966 Tour
In April 1966, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia embarked on a historic tour of the Caribbean and parts of South America. This journey was not merely a diplomatic mission; it became a transformative event that resonated deeply with the African diaspora, particularly within the Rastafari movement.
📅 Timeline of the 1966 Caribbean Tour
April 18, 1966 – Trinidad & Tobago
Emperor Haile Selassie arrived in Trinidad, greeted by thousands at Piarco International Airport. Invited by Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams, the Emperor’s visit included engagements at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the House of Parliament, and various state functions. He also visited Tobago before departing for his next destination.
April 20, 1966 – Barbados
Touching down at Seawell Airport around 8 a.m., Selassie was welcomed by Governor Sir John Stow and Premier Errol Barrow. Despite a brief two-hour stay, he was met with enthusiastic crowds along his procession route. In his address to Parliament, he expressed confidence in Barbados’s impending independence, encouraging unity and prosperity.
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April 21, 1966 – Jamaica (Grounation Day)
Selassie’s arrival in Kingston marked a pivotal moment for the Rastafari movement. Approximately 100,000 Rastafari gathered at Palisadoes Airport, viewing the Emperor as a divine figure. The overwhelming crowd prompted Selassie to initially remain aboard his plane. Ras Mortimer Planno, a respected Rastafari elder, was invited to mediate. Upon Planno’s request, the crowd calmed, allowing Selassie to disembark. This event, now commemorated as Grounation Day, significantly elevated the Rastafari movement’s visibility and legitimacy.
April 24, 1966 – Haiti
In Port-au-Prince, Selassie met with President François “Papa Doc” Duvalier. While specific details of their discussions remain limited, the meeting underscored Ethiopia’s diplomatic outreach to the Caribbean.
Late April 1966 – Venezuela
Concluding his tour, Selassie visited Venezuela, engaging in diplomatic discussions aimed at strengthening ties between Ethiopia and South American nations. Details of this visit are sparse, but it signified Ethiopia’s broader international engagement during Selassie’s reign.
🌍 Significance of the Tour
Emperor Haile Selassie’s 1966 tour was more than a series of state visits; it was a journey that bridged continents and cultures. For the Rastafari, his presence in Jamaica validated their beliefs and catalyzed the movement’s growth. Politically, the tour reinforced Ethiopia’s commitment to Pan-African solidarity and fostered diplomatic relationships across the Caribbean and South America.
