cannabisnews.com: Jamaica Marks Bob Marley's 59th Birthday Jamaica Marks Bob Marley's 59th Birthday Posted by CN Staff on February 06, 2004 at 15:24:25 PT By Stevenson Jacobs, Associated Press Source: Associated Press Kingston, Jamaica -- Swaying to an African drumbeat, dozens of dreadlocked Rastafarians chanted and puffed on long marijuana joints Friday to mark the 59th birthday of reggae legend Bob Marley.Radio stations filled the airwaves with Marley tunes, reggae artists planned tribute concerts and tourists came out in droves to honor the late singer, who died of cancer in 1981 at age 36. "Jamaicans ought to be proud ... because we're celebrating a man who went from humble beginnings to have his work recognized all over the world," radio host Tony Lange said.Born Feb. 6, 1945, in rural St. Ann parish, Marley rose from the gritty shantytowns of Kingston to international stardom and remains one of Jamaica's most beloved sons. His lyrics promoting "one love" and social revolution made him an icon in developing countries worldwide."Bob Marley was a prophet. The things that he sang about are still happening today," said 37-year-old fan Christopher Maxwell, noting the struggle for unity in some African nations, a common theme in Marley's music.At the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, the singer's former home, about 50 tourists looked on as dozens of Rastafarians thumped on calfskin drums and chanted lyrics to Marley's songs.Yuji Kuwamizu, 23, came all the way from Kagoshima, Japan, to pay homage to Marley, known in Jamaica as "Tuff Gong" for his prowess as a street fighter in his youth."In Japan, the only thing people know about reggae is Bob Marley. They respect him," said Kuwamizu, his long hair tucked under a green "tam" hat.Marley's lyrics were laden with references to his Rastafarian religion, which advocates the ritual use of marijuana, respect for nature and eating only unprocessed foods. Followers let their hair grow, uncombed, into dreadlocks. About 700,000 people practice it worldwide, though it is unknown how many of Jamaica's 2.6 million people are adherents.Marley's anthems calling for love and unity still resonate with many Jamaicans as they struggle with rampant gun violence that claimed nearly 1,000 lives on the Caribbean island last year."There's too much wickedness. Bob Marley sang about love," Rastafarian follower Jabari Benjamin said, a burning marijuana cigarette dangling from his lips.In recent years, more Jamaicans have called for Marley to be named a national hero, the country's highest honor, but the government has yet to act on it."He's like a god," said fellow Rastafarian Ras Chaka, who suggested another way to honor the legend: "They should put him on money." Source: Associated Press Author: Stevenson Jacobs, Associated PressPublished: February 6, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Bob Marley.comhttp://www.bobmarley.com/Jamaica: Go Easy on Ganja Users, Says Report http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17919.shtmlRastafarians Praise Government for Revoking Banhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17718.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by Robbie on February 06, 2004 at 17:45:23 PT Rasta is part of every-one I and I know the ways of the Almighty...and Bob is looking down from him and he talks to I, and he say I and I know the path to the glory of the oneI and I salute Bob on the anniversary o' his birth. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Virgil on February 06, 2004 at 16:51:52 PT Talk about real senselessness About 700,000 people practice it worldwide, though it is unknown how many of Jamaica's 2.6 million people are adherents.How could you know how many people in the world practice Rasta if you do not know how many there are in Jamaica. Besides that, they are on a little island and you could ask them. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment