The Twelve Tribes of Israel celebrated two important milestones last week — the 88th birthday of founder Vernon “Gadman” Carrington on November 1 and the 93rd anniversary of the coronation of Haile Selassie as Ethiopian emperor, one day later.

Both events took place at the organisation’s Hope Road headquarters in St Andrew.

The coronation was a musical affair, with performances from Twelve Tribes of Israel acts such as Billy Mystic, Fred Locks, Milton Brown, Patriarchs, Empress Faith, Arlene Napthali, and Sangie Davis.

All were backed by the Twelve Tribes of Israel Band.

Davis, a member of the organisation since Carrington formed it in Trench Town 55 years ago, was pleased with the artiste performances and response from a fair-sized audience.

“The rain damped things a bit, but di show lasted three-and-half hours an’ was excellent. When it comes to His Majesty, he is very revered in di Rasta community,” he said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

Carrington, who died in 2005 at age 68, started the Twelve Tribes of Israel two years after Selassie I’s state visit to Jamaica in April 1966. At its peak, membership came from diverse backgrounds, and included reggae stars Bob Marley and Dennis Brown; football sensation Alan Cole; and Dr Peter Phillips, future government minister and leader of the People’s National Party.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel is active in 21 countries.

Davis, who co-wrote Marley’s Wake up And Live and Girlie Girlie by Sophia George, said the turnout for last week’s events is proof of a Twelve Tribes of Israel revival.

“Every organisation has its ups and downs, especially when di original leaders drop out [die], there is a lull. But right now, things are on di rise,” he said.