Reggae music to be protected by the United Nations as a cultural heritage

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated reggae music as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity.”

“Its contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, sociopolitical, sensual and spiritual,” UNESCO said.

Jamaica had pushed for the rich music tradition to be listed as “intangible cultural heritage,” and as such, deemed worthy of protection under UNESCO.

The music, which grew out of Jamaica in the 1960s thanks to artists like Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, was added to the collection due to its “intangible cultural heritage”.

Reggae is “cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual,” said Unesco.

It has “penetrated all corners of the world,” added a Jamaican spokesperson.