Rastafarians worldwide converged over the weekend in Addis Ababa, to observe the 60th anniversary of Bob Marley.

Nana Rita Marley, wife of the revolutionary reggae musician, Robert Nesta Marley, has called for cultural activists across while launching commemorative activities marking the 60th anniversary of her late husband. She was speaking during the weekend in Addis Ababa at an occasion for the purpose.

Mrs. Marley also expressed the wish to see her husband's remains reburied in Shashemene, some 250 kilometres South of Addis Ababa, a place where several hundred Rastafarians have lived since they were given land by Ethiopia's former Emperor, Haile Selassie.

Month-long activities to mark the event kicked-off on February 1, 2005. They include: photographic and visual art exhibitions, books launch, concerts featuring the entire Marley family along side other performing artists, and symposiums. Themes to be discussed during the symposiums include; "the unification of Africa", "the abolition of abuse and discrimination against women" and " the education of the youths".

At a press conference over the weekend in Addis Ababa, Mrs. Marley told the crowd of the inquisitive international press that, Africa is Bob's spiritual home and so solidarity amongst cultural activists across the continent is important to his family. " I encourage cultural groups and leaders of the civil society to join us as we honour Bob's spirit".

Bob Marley's followers are easily identified with their long matted hair strands called dreadlocks and most of them smoke marijuana as a sacrament.On the other hand, it is alleged that Jamaicans have reacted angrily to Bob Marley widow's plan to exhume the reggae legend's remains and rebury them in Ethiopia, saying it would rob the Caribbean island of its national heritage. Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981 at age 36. Many see Bob Marley as a prophet, an enlightened person, a healer and a leader.