Roots Archives Forum

Ites,

This topic to rectify a few things concerning the use of gueez and amharic words in reggae .

First of all, the word 'Selah' is used to say God, but Selah does not mean God and it cannot be used alone. It means in reality 'for the sake of', for example 'selah mariam' (for the sake of Mary) or Selah Gebril (for the sake of saint gabriel).
Other mis use I noticed is about Peter Tosh's name Woldesemayat used as son of thunder. In reality, it means Son of the heaven.
Also instead of Ulaguize to mean Continually it is more appropriate to use the gueez expression 'Le alem alem' (world without end).

If you need any translation or information just ask it on this topic and if I can I will answer.

Blessyouall,

benjamin

www.myspace.com/wareikahills

Greeting Benjamin,
Interesting... I always thought that Selah meant something like: praises, or give thanks, or a-men, etc. This is only because of the context in which I most often hear the word used. I usually hear the word used (in Reggae) succeeding a declaration; not preceeding as in your example above. Out of curiosity, when this term is used in succession of a declaration, would it really be translated to precede the declaration with "for the sake of"?

Roots,
Jah Chicken

My understanding has always been that the word selah means pause and reflect (similar to meditate). I know for sure that is how it is used in scripture especially in the books of David and Solomon.

Hi breda, another funny correction I was told... is the *"Satta Massa Gana"* that had to be *"Thanks to God"*... translated word by word, I guess. This has no meaning in Ethiopia where ou would say in reality... *"Y Mas Gan"*...

Nice to know that the Abyssinian song Y Mas Gan is a correction of their biggest hit Satta!

Indeed, satta massa gana doesn't mean thanks to god, it means thanks for the land, but it is not a common expression in Ethiopia and it can sound strange for Ethiopians.
And indeed y mas gan means be praised or thanked, if you want to say god be praised it is 'igziabeher y mas gan'.
concerning 'selah' I confirm you that it cannot be used alone, it has but one meaning which is 'for the sake of'. The use in reggae comes from distorsion of the words when it crossed over the african continent to reach the little jamaican island.. Maybe did the rastas who came to Ethiopia with Mortmimer Plano heard the people say "Selah Igziaber" and associated the two words thinking it had the same meaning.

Do not hesitate to ask for any translation, it is a pleasure

Blessyouall,

after a look to the topic let me add two other translations:

- Kiddus (from Kiddus I) means Holly. Menfes Kiddus means Holly spirit.
- Meskel (Haile meskel) means Cross and Haile as you might know means Power, so Power of the cross for Haile Meskel

Questions about Ethiopian Tewahido Orthodox Church also welcome

Hi,
what means gebrail a amla?

I suppose Amla is Amlak, which means God.
Concerning Gebrail, I think it is Gibriel, Or Saint Gabriel, that they particularly worship in Ethiopia. But if you think it is not the good translation tell it and I'll check it.

benjamin

www.myspace.com/wareikahills