Ras (Ethiopia)
Ras - in the Amharic national language of Ethiopia ራስ "head" - was one of the highest titles at the Ethiopian imperial court and probably dates from the 16th century. At that time it was only available to the administrators of the largest provinces and was the highest military rank that only the emperor could bestow. Some high dignitaries of the Coptic Church also had the right to use the title of Ras . It was not until the 19th century that the title was used more frequently. A ras had the right to lead 24 ceremonial drums ( negarits ). The meaning of the title is roughly comparable to a duke . The next lower Ethiopian nobility title is Dejazmach . Emperor Menelik II could only come from the provinces and areas of Harer , Selale , Arusi , Bale , Begemdir , Tigray , Illubabor , Kaffa , Wollega , Wollo , Yegu , Wadla , Delanta , Dawint , Sedho , Waro , Meqet , Zobil , Lasta and Gojam appoint a ras. A ras could have come from the feudal families of the country or from the imperial family.
The term Rastafari is derived from the maiden name of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie , namely Ras Tafari Makonnen .