Fervent fans mark Marley's birthday in Jamaica
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A Rastafarian priest leads a chant during the celebration of reggae music icon Bob Marley's 68th birthday in the yard of his Kingston home, in Jamaica, on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2013. Hundreds of tourists have joined Rastafarian priests and reggae musicians at Bob Marley's old house in Jamaica to mark the anniversary of the late reggae icon's birth. -- PHOTO: AP
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Hundreds of tourists have joined Rastafarian priests and reggae musicians at Bob Marley's old house in Jamaica to mark the 68th anniversary of the late reggae icon's birth.
Since his death from cancer in 1981, Marley has become more than just Jamaica's most famous musical export. Marley's message of unity and respect remains a beacon of hope in this Caribbean nation struggling with joblessness and violence.
On Wednesday, some of Marley's relatives and old friends danced and chanted to the pounding of drums in the yard of his Kingston home, which is now a museum.
Culture minister Lisa Hanna said his lyrics still call for Jamaicans to create a "more wholesome, caring, peaceful and progressive society".
