LAST Thursday, to mark the 81st anniversary of the coronation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, an event was held at the African Village at the corner of Ripon Avenue and Eureka Road in Kingston.

The highlight were the appearances of dub poet Ras Tukura and Icentcy Mau and the Mau Mau warriors. Both acts brought words to life with their riveting performances.

Another event in honour of the Emperor’s coronation was staged by Bess FM’s broadcaster Gabre Selassie. One of the highlights was the presentation by Rastafari elder, historian, spoken word performer and recording artiste, Ras Malekot. He gave overview of the rituals surrounding the coronation.

So moving was his presentation that veteran reggae crooner Ken Boothe admitted before his performance. “I gained so much knowledge.”

He then went on to do an a capella rendition of The Land of Black, Golden and Green segueing into a couple of numbers on tracks among them Freedom Street, followed by Don’t You Know, Say You, and whetted the patrons’ appetite with a shorten version of I Am Going To Tell You Good Bye.

Lymie Murray enlivened the gathering with Rolling Thunder and Suffering. Raging Fire made their mark with Judgment Day, Far Away, Running Away, Happy Vibes and Stepping Out of Babylon. Marcus I made his presence felt first on the Bunny Wailer’s composition Armageddon, then Cocaine, Rich and Poor, So Real and Love.

The Jah 9, who appears to be on a roll, having become a permanent fixture on these kind of musical engagements, delivered another mind-blowing set. The fast-rising lioness could do no wrong taking us through The Jungle, Revolution before leaving us in celebration of a New Name. However, as impressive as her performance was, Jah 9, could not leave the stage without performing what has now become her signature tune, Warning.

Of course, there were other impressive stints such as new kid on the block Vania Colours who went over well with I’m A Warrior and Young Tree. Fresh, promising acts including Kelissa McDonald, who shared the stage at times with Chronixx, were also pleasing.