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."
