Kebra Nagast is an ancient book, a book that speaks of Strength and Wisdom, of Truth and Joy, of Kindness and Happiness, of Gentleness and Lightness. Those who were fond of reggae music in the seventies of the last century, listening to the songs of Bob Marley, probably had no idea what an ancient tradition was behind it. But the wisdom of modern Rastafarians goes back, no less, to the 6th century - to the sacred book of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church “Kebra Nagast” (“Glory of the Kings”) and through it to the Old Testament.

This collection is in fact, the first Russian edition of Kebra Nagast allows us to trace the origins of the Rastafarian religion. Is it true that the dynasty of Ethiopian kings descends from Solomon himself? Where is the Ark of the Covenant now located, is it not in the ancient capital of Abyssinia, Aksum? How perceptible are the Old Testament roots in the religious life of Jamaica today? Selected chapters of Kebra Nagast are accompanied by a commentary by the famous American researcher Gerald Houseman, as well as his essays on life in the Jamaican Rasta community, on the morals, customs and rituals of adherents of the Rastafari religion. CONTENTS: Preface Preface, pp. 5-7 Editor's notes author: Igor Stepanov 8 -10Historical meanings of Kebra Nagast pp. 11-16Kebra NagastEarth 17-34Strength 35-46Wisdom 47-68Angel 69-86Vision 87-134Pearl 135-170Appendix Prophet pp. 171-188