The Kebra Negast: The Lost Bible of Rastafarian Wisdom and Faith from Ethiopia and Jamaica
Average Rating: out of 11 Reviews
Price: $22.95
Sale: $12.98
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
EAN (European Article Number): 9780312167936
Number of Items: 1
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Edition: 1st
Dewey Decimal Number: 299.676
Publication Date: 1997-10-15
Reading Level: 208
Description: What did Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley and Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia have in common? A love for the Kebra Negast, holy book of Ethiopian Christians and Jamaican Rastafarians. Contemporary scholars date the Kebra Negast to the 14th century, but it retells the stories of much earlier Biblical times, one very important story in particular. According to the Kebra Negast, the Israelites' Ark of the Covenant was spirited away to the ancient kingdom of Ethiopia by wise King Solomon's own son, offspring of the union between Solomon and the exotic Queen Makeda of Ethiopia (a.k.a. the Queen of Sheba). Gerald Hausman, a consummate storyteller of native traditions, presents the core narrative of the Kebra Negast, from Adam to the rise of the Ethiopian Solomonid dynasty. On top of this, he injects his own encounters with Rastafarians during his travels in Jamaica--dreadlocked Rastas as modern-day Samsons, their unwavering faith in Jah, and a rare outsider's glimpse at the Nyabinghi ceremony. The combination of ancient tale and modern belief give Hausman's Kebra Negast the rich flavor of enduring truth. --Brian Bruya
Details: Good read. Explains the Rasta tradition, where it comes from, how it ties into Christianity and the Bible, and has developed since its establishment in the early 20th century. Also has Marley quotes and shows his strong inspiration in Christian text. If your interested in learning more about traditional Rastafarianism, this book is a good read.
Review Summary: Caution Encouraged
Date: 2008-03-24
Details: Greetings.
I have an edition of the Kebra Negast (The Book of Kings). The edition I have is not referenced or added to. As far as I have researched my edition contains the original translated words and nothing else. In my spiritual walk I have experienced confusion as a result of other peoples' interpretations and opinions as far as the Bible and other related writings go. I believe it is important to search the truth for ones' self, allowing the Lord to guide you and Christ teachings to be your standard. In this way your own truth becomes aligned with the spritual truth of The Most High, The Lord God of Israel. This edition contains some reasonings from other sources. Whilst I believe that to reason with others is a good and pleasant thing, I encourage caution when others opinions is presented as a truth for many. I myself am of The Orthodox Ethiopian Faith, commonly referred to as 'Rastafarianism'. I encourage others in their search to read the original Kebra Negast first.
Give Thanks in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. Sis BonnyAsher.
Review Summary: VERY INSPIRATIONAL!
Date: 2006-07-11
Details: This book is an excellent read. I did not want to put down. It explained alot of what I felt was a bit unexplained in the bible. I have not finished the book yet but i Highly recommend it.
Review Summary: Decent Buy
Date: 2006-05-05
Details: I got this book a while back. It's a very nice book if you have a bad attention span, and you need what your reading to be simple. If your looking for the in depth historical version, then this probably won't be the book for you, but if you're looking for a real good Light reading, then this might be a good purchase.
Review Summary: A must read
Date: 2002-06-04
Details: The Kebra Negast is a must read for anyone on the path of black consciousness and understanding the truth of our place in the Bible. Reading the Kebra Negast really helped me understand Rastafari, I hate that I completed the book I wanted more. I wished women played a larger role and that the interpretation of doing God's will was a bit less damning like in all religions.
out of 11 Reviews
