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UN declares reggae a world cultural treasure

Reggae - Level 4

Reggae is now a United Nations global cultural treasure - an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". The UN called it a cultural form that is worth protecting and promoting. Reggae started in Jamaica in the 1960s. Pioneers include artists like Bob Marley. Jamaica's government was pleased with reggae's new status. It said: "Reggae is uniquely Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world."

The UN called reggae a mix of different musical influences, from Jamaica and the Caribbean. It has neo-African styles, soul, rhythm and blues, Ska and Rock Steady. It added that reggae is, "the voice of the marginalized". Reggae is loved by people all over the world. The UN said reggae contributed to, "international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity," and was an intelligent, sensual and spiritual form of music.

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Reggae - Level 5

Reggae has become a global cultural treasure. The United Nations cultural arm UNESCO added reggae to its list of cultural forms worthy of protecting and promoting. UNESCO said reggae was an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae originated in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included artists such as Peter Tosh and the legendary Bob Marley. The Jamaican government was pleased with reggae's new status. Its culture minister said: "Reggae is uniquely Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world."

UNESCO said reggae is, "an amalgam of numerous musical influences," including Jamaican and Caribbean forms, neo-African styles, soul, rhythm and blues, and Ska and Rock Steady. It added that reggae is, "the voice of the marginalized". Reggae is now played and loved by a wide cross-section of society around the world. UNESCO said: "Reggae's contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity [highlights] the dynamics of the [music] as being...socio-political, sensual and spiritual."

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Reggae - Level 6

Reggae music has become a global cultural treasure. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added reggae to its list of cultural forms it deems worthy of protecting and promoting. UNESCO officially recognized reggae as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included artists such as Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and the legendary Bob Marley. The Jamaican government was pleased with reggae's new status. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae is uniquely Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world."

UNESCO defined reggae as being, "an amalgam of numerous musical influences," including Jamaican and Caribbean forms, neo-African styles, soul and rhythm and blues from North America, and Ska and Rock Steady. It described the importance of the music, saying: "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." It added: "Reggae's contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual."

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