Reggae, 'A Voice For All,' Added To Intangible Cultural Heritage List By UNESCO

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One of the best-loved musical styles in the world now bears a new distinction. Reggae — the uniquely Jamaican creation born in the late 1960s and made popular globally by artists like Bob Marley and Toots and the Maytals — has been added to a list of global cultural treasures by UNESCO, the cultural and scientific agency of the United Nations.

On Thursday, reggae was "inscripted," as the UNESCO term goes, to the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," joining more than 300 other traditional practices worldwide on the U.N. agency's list.

"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," UNESCO said in a statement. "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."

UNESCO enlarges its list annually; dozens of musical, dance and theater styles have already been included, though possibly none so well-known, or commercially popular worldwide, as reggae.

Among other traditions newly added to the UNESCO list this year are wrestling from the country of Georgia, hurling in Ireland, Japanese raiho-shin rituals, spring festival rites among the horse breeders of Kazakhstan and as-samer dancing in Jordan.</s>Jamaica

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Inscribed in 2018 (13.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

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Having originated within a cultural space that was home to marginalized groups, mainly in Western Kingston, the Reggae music of Jamaica is an amalgam of numerous musical influences, including earlier Jamaican forms as well as Caribbean, North American and Latin strains. In time, Neo-African styles, soul and rhythm and blues from North America were incorporated into the element, gradually transforming Ska into Rock Steady and then into Reggae. 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. Students are taught how to play the music in schools from early childhood to the tertiary level, and Reggae festivals and concerts such as Reggae Sumfest and Reggae Salute provide annual outlets, as well as an opportunity for understudy and transmission for upcoming artists, musicians and other practitioners.</s>This year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added reggae music to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In addition to compiling their World Heritage List, which includes geographic locations worthy of protection and preservation on an international scale, UNESCO reserves another list of “intangible” cultural elements specifically for practices and traditions. The news of reggae’s inclusion on the list comes after last week’s announcement that Jamaica had submitted the genre for consideration earlier this year. In a statement announcing their decision, UNESCO wrote the following:

[Reggae’s] 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.

Egyptian puppetry and Mongolian camel-coaxing rituals also made the cut for the Intangible Cultural Heritage list this year.</s>UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has added reggae to its list of cultural institutions worthy of protection and preservation, the BBC reports.

Each year, UNESCO adds to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and Jamaica submitted reggae for consideration earlier this year. The genre now joins a list of over 300 cultural traditions, including numerous musical ones such as Dominican merengue, Slovakian bagpipe music and Vietnamese xoan singing.

In a statement on its website, UNESCO said of reggae, “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.”

To mark its inclusion on the list, UNESCO shared a short documentary that examines the history and distinct characteristics of reggae music.

While reggae’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible list is largely symbolic, The New York Times reported earlier this month that Jamaica is hoping to further protect and preserve the music in various ways. Among the plans are radio stations centered around reggae, as well as public exhibitions in museums and Reggae Month, which will take place in February, the birth month of Bob Marley.</s>PARIS (AP) — Reggae music has been inscribed on the prized intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural agency. UNESCO said Thursday the Jamaican music is unique because it represents “a vehicle of…

PARIS (AP) — Reggae music has been inscribed on the prized intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural agency.

UNESCO said Thursday the Jamaican music is unique because it represents “a vehicle of social commentary” and “continues to provide a voice for all” since it was first created by marginalized groups, mainly in the western part of Jamaica’s capital of Kingston.

It said the music — which combines Caribbean, Latin and North American influences — provides a “cathartic experience” when played and it is also used as a means of praising God.

The intangible heritage list aims to improve the visibility of non-physical traditions and know-how of communities around the world.

UNESCO committees are holding their latest round of heritage inscriptions in the Mauritius capital of Port Louis through Saturday.

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>UNESCO—the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—annually adds new entries to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year, Jamaica submitted reggae for consideration, and UNESCO has approved its inclusion, the BBC reports.

The list serves to document elements of different cultures that are deemed worthy of recognition and preservation. Jamaica’s application listed the influence of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh, as well as the contemporary success of Chronixx, as reasons to include reggae in the list. Reggae’s “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,” UNESCO said. It added: “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.”</s>PARIS -- Reggae music has been inscribed on the prized intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO, the UN's cultural agency.

UNESCO said Thursday the Jamaican music is unique because it represents "a vehicle of social commentary" and "continues to provide a voice for all" since it was first created by marginalized groups, mainly in the western part of Jamaica's capital of Kingston.

It said the music -- which combines Caribbean, Latin and North American influences -- provides a "cathartic experience" when played and it is also used as a means of praising God.

The intangible heritage list aims to improve the visibility of non-physical traditions and know-how of communities around the world.

UNESCO committees are holding their latest round of heritage inscriptions in the Mauritius capital of Port Louis through Saturday.</s>Reggae music, whose calm, lilting grooves found international fame thanks to artists like Bob Marley, on Thursday won a spot on the United Nations’ list of global cultural treasures.

UNESCO, the world body’s cultural and scientific agency, added the genre that originated in Jamaica to its collection of “intangible cultural heritage” deemed worthy of protection and promotion.

Reggae music’s “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,” UNESCO said.

The musical style joined a list of cultural traditions that includes the horsemanship of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, a Mongolian camel-coaxing ritual and Czech puppetry, and more than 300 other traditional practices that range from boat-building, pilgrimages and cooking.

Reggae emerged in the late 1960s out of Jamaica’s ska and rocksteady genres, also drawing influence from American jazz and blues.

The style quickly became popular in the United States as well as in Britain, where many Jamaican immigrants had moved in the post-WWII years.

It was often championed as a music of the oppressed, with lyrics addressing sociopolitical issues, imprisonment and inequality.

Reggae also became associated with Rastafarianism, which deified the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and promoted the sacramental use of ganja, or marijuana.

The 1968 single “Do the Reggay” by Toots and the Maytals was the first popular song to use the name, and Marley and his group the Wailers produced classic hits such as “No Woman, No Cry” and “Stir It Up.”

Jamaica applied for reggae’s inclusion on the list this year at a meeting of the UN agency on the island of Mauritius, where 40 proposals were under consideration.

“Reggae is uniquely Jamaican,” said Olivia Grange, the Caribbean island nation’s culture minister, before the vote.

“It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world.”</s>Reggae music has been named a ‘global treasure’ by the United Nations.

UNESCO, the world body’s cultural and scientific agency, added the genre that originated in Jamaica to its collection of ‘intangible cultural heritage’ deemed worthy of protection and promotion.

The musical style joined a list of cultural traditions that includes the horsemanship of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, a Mongolian camel-coaxing ritual and Czech puppetry.

More than 300 other traditional practices that range from boat-building, pilgrimages and cooking were also protected.

Reggae emerged in the late 1960s out of Jamaica’s ska and rocksteady genres, also drawing influence from American jazz and blues.

Reggae also became associated with Rastafarianism, which deified the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie.

Jamaica applied for reggae’s inclusion on the list this year at a meeting of the UN agency on the island of Mauritius, where 40 proposals were under consideration.</s>Reggae music, whose chill, lilting grooves found international fame thanks to artists like Bob Marley, on Thursday won a spot on the United Nations’ list of global cultural treasures.

UNESCO, the world body’s cultural and scientific agency, added the genre that originated in Jamaica to its collection of “intangible cultural heritage” deemed worthy of protection and promotion.

Reggae music’s “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,” 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.”

The musical style joined a list of cultural traditions that includes the horsemanship of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, a Mongolian camel-coaxing ritual and Czech puppetry, and more than 300 other traditional practices spanning from boat-building and pilgrimages to cooking and dance.

Jamaica applied for reggae’s inclusion on the list this year at a meeting of the UN agency on the island of Mauritius, where 40 proposals were under consideration.

Reggae was competing for inclusion alongside Bahamian strawcraft, South Korean wrestling, Irish hurling and perfume making in the southern French city of Grasse.

Reggae emerged in the late 1960s out of Jamaica’s ska and rocksteady styles, also drawing influence from American jazz and blues.

It quickly became popular in the United States as well as in Britain, where many Jamaican immigrants had moved in the post-WWII years.

The style is often championed as a music of the oppressed, with lyrics addressing sociopolitical issues, imprisonment and inequality.

Reggae also became associated with Rastafarianism, which deified the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and promoted the sacramental use of ganja, or marijuana.

The 1968 single Do the Reggay by Toots and the Maytals was the first popular song to use the name.

Marley and his group the Wailers then soared to fame on classic hits like No Woman, No Cry and Stir It Up.

Peter Tosh, a core member of the Wailers, established a successful solo career with hits including Legalize It, while Desmond Dekker also enjoyed international success with the song Israelites.

Toots and the Maytals rose to prominence with Pressure Drop and Jimmy Cliff became an international sensation with The Harder They Come, also the title of a 1972 movie he starred in.

The reggae sound, with its heavy bass lines and drums, has influenced countless artists and inspired many genres including reggaeton, dub and dancehall.

The steady beats and smooth grooves have also proven key to hip-hop: Sister Nancy’s anthem Bam Bam, for example, has been heavily sampled by superstars like Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, Chris Brown and Jay-Z.

While largely symbolic, inclusion on the UNESCO cultural heritage list can serve to raise the profile of the country and the practice.

“Reggae is uniquely Jamaican,” said Olivia Grange, the Caribbean island nation’s culture minister, before the vote.

“It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world.”

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Reggae music is added to the UNESCO Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.