Reggae officially a global heritage of humanity

The decision was made at the 13th session of the UNESCO intergovernmental committee for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage in the Republic of Mauritius following a strong lobby and advocacy by the Government of Jamaica, led by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.

Minister Grange was moved to tears following the announcement and the support which Jamaica’s nomination received from more than 190 state parties in attendance at the meeting.

“It shows the popularity of Reggae music across the world and the captivating influence of the Jamaican art form,” said Grange.

The UNESCO evaluation body had recommended that Jamaica’s nomination be deferred to the next round in two years. However, Minister Grange says “we were not willing to accept that and decided to journey to Mauritius to defend our position. After making our case to the delegates, the overwhelming sentiment was that it would be a travesty if our nomination was not accepted. That gave us supreme confidence”.

Jamaica’s minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport Olivia Grange (centre) at the 13th session of the UNESCO intergovernmental committee for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage in the Republic of Mauritius.

When the Jamaica file was introduced on the floor, all 23 members of the intangible cultural Heritage (ICH) committee expressed their support and asked the Jamaican delegation to take the floor to clarify the concerns raised by the evaluation body. Jamaica made its presentation, the delegates showed their support and the room erupted in jubilation.

Marking the inscription UNESCO said: “While in its embryonic state Reggae music was the voice of the marginalized, the music is now played and embraced by a wide cross-section of society, including various genders, ethnic and religious groups. Its contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual.

“The basic social functions of the music – as a vehicle for social commentary, a cathartic practice, and a means of praising God – have not changed, and the music continues to act as a voice for all.”

Minister Grange thanked the delegates for their support and led the meeting in singing Bob Marley’s iconic song ‘One Love’ in celebration at the historic inscription.

The culture minister said the inscription was the result of “a real team effort, involving members of the Jamaican music fraternity including music icon Chris Blackwell and the team at Universal Music, Cedella Marley and the Bob Marley Foundation which gave permission for the use of Marley’s music and image, the team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the team at the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and its agencies, particularly those at the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO and the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica.

In expressing appreciation for the inscription, she said “Jamaicans have long recognised that Reggae music means so much to so many across the world. This inscription will invariably bring even more visibility to UNESCO’S representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity and intangible cultural heritage as a whole, and it demonstrates Reggae’s global impact”.

Reacting to the news that the musical genre is now worthy of international protection and promotion at the level of the United Nations several respected figures in the industry were indeed elated.

"I am delighted, it's wonderful news," Dave Rodigan said in an interview on BBC World Service radio. "I've loved this music since I first heard it as a teenager. I've always said it speaks out for the under-privileged, it speaks out against social injustice. Reggae music is the original rebels' music immortalised by Bob Marley at the Wailers."

Writing on his official Facebook page Bunny Wailer, who is the last surviving member of the legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers group said: “We will ensure that this reggae inscription benefits the rights of the Rastafari community and the foundation musicians and producers who are marginalized by how the global success and use of the roots Reggae genre has been achieved!”

Reggae becomes the second Jamaican ‘element’ to be inscribed on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity following the addition of the Maroon heritage of Moore Town in 2008.