Ethiopian Christianity in the V&A: Song of Songs and Haile Selassie I

Day One

Fr. Dr Abate Gobena lecturer at University College Stockholm and Priest at the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church will provide an insight into the practice of Christianity in Ethiopia dating back to 4th century AD, and the contents, structure and decoration of the Psalter. Fr. Dr Abate Gobena will also share new information about the believed scribe and possible owner of the Book, due to recent research led by Eyob Derillo, specialist in diverse manuscript cultures of Africa.

The V&A National Art Library’s Chief Librarian, Richard Espley will discuss how the Book came to be acquired by the V&A and its association with the 1868 Battle of Maqdala. Richard will explain the relevance of government legislation that affirms the V&A’s retention of the Book on behalf of the nation within these contexts.
 

Day Two 

We open the second and concluding day’s presentations with Dr Elizabeth Henry Race and Social Justice Specialist and former National Advisor, Race and Ethnicity at the Church of England with a rich examination of British Christianity and its use as an intersecting authority of faith, social, moral, political and colonial policies. Elizabeth will contextualise the use of faith within domestic British colonial conflict and its utilisation within the African continent and during African Transatlantic Chattel enslavement.

The visual representation of Emperor Haile Selassie I (the final Ethiopian leader of the Solomonic dynasty) within African diasporic music will be explored across the development of Rastafarianism in 1930s Jamaica, through to the political and cultural use of his image within reggae and dub music. Jacqueline Springer, V&A Curator, Africa & Diaspora: Performance and curator of the inaugural V&A East exhibition, ‘The Music is Black: A British Story,’ will speak to the outstanding work of visual artist Neville Garrick and the legacy of his influence on the visual depiction of Haile Selassie I in support of onstage performances and in album and single cover artwork. Eminent British photographer David Corio will share a selection of his vast archive culled from decades working for the music press, which has resulted in an unrivalled collection that further personalises the utilisation of Haile Selassie I as authenticator of faith and artistry.

The event is in association with V&A East’s inaugural exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story, opening in 2026.