On November 5, last year the remains of the Emperor Haile Selassie was claimed to be buried. In an emotional and colorful ceremony held at the Trinity Cathedral in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

That was the third time that a burial was being held for the former Ethiopian monarch. In 1992 the skeleton remains of the emperor was said to have been dug up from behind a toilet. Investigations revealed, however, that those of the Emperor, as the bones were too tall to be that of the 5-foot 3 inches tall Selassie

Rastafarians maintain that Emperor Selassie is the almighty in flesh and do not subscribe to the notion that he is dead. Others claim that every man must be tested by death and no one, including Selassie, shall escape the judgment. To Rastafarians reply that it is not physically impossible for a human being to live for 109 years. The controversy rages on, decades after Hail Selassie was overthrown by the Military junta called the 'Dergue', in Ethiopia.

Administrator for the Orthodox Church in Jamaica, Revealed Kes Lewis, informed that the church had kept a memorial service on the same day the reburial was being held in Addis Ababa. Reverend Lewis said of Selassie, "He is just like any other person created in the image and likeness of God. Because of Adam, all men have fallen short of the glory. He sent his son Jesus to redeem us all, including Kings and Queens. So Haile Selassie is human. We know he is decanted from the lineage of David. Even David and Solomon, although they are from that lineage, never claimed to be God. Haile Selassie never made that claim. He was a Christian king who went to church and took communion. If he was god he would never take communion."

The reverend also pointed out that Bob Marley used to attend the church but was baptized when he was on his sick bed and asked to be baptized by the archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the western hemisphere. He also confirmed that Rita Marley was a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which is the oldest Christian Church in the world.

Mrs. Marley appearance at the funeral service of Selassie in November has left a bitter taste in the mouths of some Rasta's who see her appearance as acceptance of the notion that 'Jah is dead'.

Rastafarians messenger Tony Rebel responded, "I don't know the motive why Rita would go there. You would have to ask her. Personally, as a Rastaman, HIM
(His Imperial Majesty) lives for a number of reasons. He lives though our music. He lives through the Rastafarian movement and faith. Where he is physically right now is not important to me. We have to start acknowledging HIM within us and practice his teachings."

Rebel went on to explain what he learnt when he visited Ethiopia. "People told me that when the Emperor was under house arrest, he could not be found one day. And Mengistu, leader of the rebellion, then killed every one that resembled Hail Selassie. He even killed the solders that were guarding HIM. Graves are in Ethiopia for HIM that are not occupied. There is a mystery with where he is. They have no facts, cannot prove any evidence.
The teachings of His majesty are more relevant now more than ever."

Paul Kelly of the Bob Marley foundation used fewer words. "I know his reign is forever. His Majesty cannot die. Any one else will have to speak for them selves."

The controversy surrounding Haile Selassie continues to rage on. The Emperor himself, commenting on his death, said, "Now, however, it has become your fate to obey the order of the great and merciful Lord, a lot that befalls each and every one of us in our turn. As it were, after you had accomplished what was within your bounds, you have slept, but although you depart from us physically, your works and your name will remain among us."