Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-03
VIEW
CORONATION FETE
Ceremonies for Ras Tafari
and Queen Cost Abyssin-
ians $4,000
BY the Associated Press.

Adds ABABA. Abyssinia, November
/ 3.-Not until dawn today did this an
Gent capital and the hundreds Of thou
sands gathered here quit their cele-
bration of the coronation of Abyssinia's
Emperor and Empress and seek sleep.
Nearly exhausted by a night-long vigil
of prayer, Ras Tafari Makonnen, who
claims descent from Solomon and the
Queen of Sheba. and his wife, Princess
Waziru Menen, were taken at daybreak
Yesterday from the National Cathedral
to the nearby especially corona
ton hall, where they were crowned the
334th rulers of the oldest kingdom in
the world
Thirty-nine-year old Ras Tafari, ac-
cepting the bejeweled crown from the
coptic archbishop Ethiopia, became En-
peror Sale Selassie I, Lord King of
Kings of Ethiopia, conquering lion OF
the tribe Of Judah, the elect of God and
the light of the world.
Princess Waziru Menen, a year his
senior and many pounds heavier than
he, few moments later was crowned
Empress Etega Menen, Queen OF Queens
of Ethiopia.
Religious Service Follows.
A seven hour religious service follow
ed the actual coronation, then the two
sovereigns entered a golden carriage,
once owned by the German kaiser, and
were driven in princely splendor through
the streets of their capital to their
palace.
There were but four horses instead
of six for the pretentious coach, one
of the Hungarian animals imported for
the occasion in capricious moment
having broken part of the harness and
necessitated elimination OF him and
his mate.
A thousand Of his subjects Frustrated
themselves before the Emperor as he
entered his carriage. AS the carriage
was driven off, the sovereigns bowling
to right and left, many OF their sub
jects crowded behind the vehicle and
prostrating themselves kissed the dusty
streets over which it had just passed.
Arrival at the royal palace marked be-
ginning of the week-long celebrations
which the Emperor ordained in honor
of the event The hundreds of thou
sands of the countrys 100000 popu-
lation gathered here began Immediately
a barbaric sequence of feasting, dance
and prayer.
Ceremonies Cost S3,OOO,000.
The coronation ceremonies were esti-
mated to have cost the government
about $4,000, 900 and months of prepa-
ration.
After the Emperor and Empress
emerged from their night of prayer and
meditation in ST. Georges Church they
entered a specially built pavilion adj
joining the church, where they took
their places on the red and blue canopied
thrones.
The Emperor looked tired and the
portly Queen, worn out from the hours
on her knees, had TO be supported as
she walked to the throne. The arch
bishop, and assembled bishops, conse-
Grated successfully the Emperor's vivid
crimson and gold encrusted coronation
robes. the imperial scepter, the SYM
bolieal ring and the golden lances with
which Ras Tafari may defend his
throne. Each was presented the En-
peror with pomp.
From the distance could be heard
the rattle Of drums, the tinkling OF
silver sistra, the clash of cymbals and
tapping of ecclesiastical stats of the
clergy On the pavements, mingled with
the voices Of the priests as they per-
formed their traditional coronation
roles. Raising his finger solemly the
archbishop then anointed Ras Tafari
Emperor.
Silence reigned through the sunlit
pavilion as the Archpriest of Aksum
took from the regalia table the gold
jewelled crown and handed it to the
archbishop who placed it on the head
of his majesty, saying: This crown
shall be the crown of thy glory"
The Emperor replied: II am the least
of my brethren" The archbishop and
bishop then kissed the Emperor's right
shoulder in feudal submission.
The youthful Crown Prince approach
ed the Emperor and received from him,
as he knelt, golden diadem. do you
intend during all your life to be the
servant of your father?" asked the
archbishop.
The Crown Prince answered: IT sub
NIT myself to that obligation with all
my heart because it is the command
of God to honor thy father and
m0thero