The Institute of Caribbean Studies at UWI, Mona hosts the 13th annual Bob Marley Lecture entitled “Rastafari-Reggae Bob Marley:  Africa Scattered For Rhythm Of Spirit of Oneness For The World” as part of the International Reggae Conference. The Lecture takes place on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at the Undercroft, UWI, Mona.  This year’s lecture will be delivered by Tekla Mekfet, Rastafari Elder, educator, author and journalist.

The Lecture raises questions about Western society and its overarching philosophy. It examines what makes Africa, Africa? and the idea of African Community vs. the West and Individualism; The Bible: Way of Christ, Way of The East /What Is /Was Before being hijacked by The West; Influence of Bible  and Community in Bob Marley’s lyrics and African Philosophy in Bob Marley’s lyrics. The Lecture asserts that the Philosophy of Mother Africa is for a world in crisis needing Rhythm for Oneness: Rastafari Bob Marley. 

The annual Bob Marley lecture was inaugurated in 1998 as a forum to honour the work and legacy of Jamaican king of Reggae, the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley. The Lecture is organized to take place during the celebrations of Bob Marley’s birth month (February) and forms a part of the annual, nationally coordinated, Bob Marley celebration. The series is designed to expose the wider Jamaican society to ‘alternative’ research drawn from a corpus of critical engagement with issues of reggae music’s contribution and legacy, and related matters connecting the lives and living conditions of those who produce and are affected by this potent religio-political medium. 

The university community and the public are invited.