It was an evening befitting an emperor, but things came to an abrupt end when the police, in the name of the Noise Abatement Act, decided to close down the festivities at midnight.

In homage to the 116th anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie I last Wednesday at the Livity Vegetarian Restaurant in New Kingston, scores of entertainers, mainly Rastafarians, assembled to share their talents in praise of Selassie.

Prior to the arrival of the cops, it was one 'irie' affair, beginning with prayers by Kes Gabre, priest of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, from which the Selassie Melacoch Drummers set the tone for a smooth-flowing night of royal conduct in spiritual upliftment and cultural feasting.

Given the time constraint, however, patrons at the well-attended celebration on one of the most important dates within the Rastafari worldview, could not get enough of their many favourite singers and players of instruments as well as spoken-word performers.

The Africa-based Chakula Band tried to make up for their long absence from the local stage, in spots connected with the audience, but overall, stayed a tad too long.

In contrast, among the acts who enlivened the crowded venue by providing fleeting moments of great entertainment value with one or at most two songs, were veteran percussionist Bongo Herman, Nesbeth, Lutan Fyah, Iyah Engi, Jimmy Riley, Tarrus Riley, Ken Boothe, Lymie Murray, Ras Malekot, Ras Takura, Rasterenes, Sharon Tucker, Mikey General, Junior Reid and fresh from his Sumfest conquest a week ago, I-Octane.

This special day of Haile Selassie I, was also marked with musical celebration across town at the Twelve Tribes of Israel Rastafari Mansion's Hope Road Headquarters; at Weekenz where such artistes as Turbulance, VC and Angie Faith gave their musical contributions, as well as across country where the traditional Nyahbinghi ceremonies were held at Scott's Pass Nyahbinghi Centre in Clarendon, and at Great Pond in Ocho Rios, St Ann. Here a dinner for 100 Rastafari elders was held.

"I wish to use this opportunity to send greetings to the Rastafari Nation in Jamaica on the occasion of their celebration of the Birthday of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie 1," stated a press release by Minister of Information and Culture Olivia "Babsy" Grange who, upon request, made a donation to the Great Pond Nyahbinghi Centre to host the dinner for the Rastafari elders.

The minister of culture, whose donation was the first of such at that level of government, added: "Jamaica is proud of the contribution that Rastafari has made to our culture, history and knowledge of our African roots. In the eight decades since the movement was born, it has served as a focus and beacon of Afrocentric education, as well as a moral compass for its many followers whose beliefs have been and are constantly being expressed successfully in music, film and literature.

"The contribution of Rastafari to Jamaica's image abroad has also been a positive one, not only introducing a new religion to the world, bringing foreign visitors to experience our island, but also exporting our culture to the stages, television screens and music players of the world. All this has without question, resulted from the Rastafari inspiration of Emperor Haile Selassie. I, therefore, add my Happy Birthday wishes to the national celebration of the life of this important African leader," the press release said.

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