Producer Sangie Davis recalls Selassie’s visit 56 years later

Twelve Tribes of Israel member Sangie Davis clearly recalls setting eyes on Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie I when he visited Jamaica on April 21, 1966, and today he is looking forward to celebrating this historic event - known as Groundation Day - with his brethren.

"The visit of His Imperial Majesty was the biggest reception ever for a head of state visiting Jamaica. The only thing that it can be compared to in terms of crowd was Bob Marley's funeral," Davis, who was a close friend of Marley, told THE STAR.

Davis, who had already converted to Rastafari, wasn't among the hundreds of Rastafarian brethren who descended on the then-named Palisadoes Airport in Kingston to await the arrival. But he eagerly joined the huge crowd in Half-Way Tree waiting anxiously for the emperor to pass by.

"I was at the clock, near to NCB when the vehicle came by. He was in an open-top vehicle and he was standing up. When he looked into the crowd, I thought His Majesty was looking at me. And when he waved, I thought he was looking straight at me. It was as if he was saying, 'Sangie, I see you,'" shared Davis, who is a record producer and songwriter. His masterpieces include Marley's Wake Up and Live and Sophia George's Girlie Girlie.

For the Rastafarian community, that day was what Davis described as "the epiphany". He said that to see the emperor face-to-face on Jamaican soil was the most outstanding day in the life of a Rastaman.

"You could sense the freedom of the Rastaman on that day. Man a draw chalice all under the plane wing at airport, and in those days not even a cigarette yuh coulda light there. All government protocols were disturbed that day," Davis recalled.

Culture Minister Olivia Grange, in acknowledging Groundation Day, stated, "Although it happened 56 years ago, the memory and importance of the emperor's visit remains an anchor to the Rastafari community of their beliefs and their constant ties to Africa. The emperor's visit gave Rastafari a new measure of respectability that was welcomed, following the negative image that had led to the overreaction of the State to the Coral Gardens incident three years earlier. As a result of the new relationship between the Rastafari community and the wider public, reggae music gained more interest and acceptance, leading to further global spread of the Rastafari movement."

At the Twelve Tribes Headquarters on Hope Road, today's celebration will take the form of a dance for which there is no cover charge.