Marley's remains 'to be exhumed'

Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981

The widow of reggae legend Bob Marley has said that she plans to exhume his remains in Jamaica and re-bury them in his "spiritual home" of Ethiopia.

Rita Marley said the ceremony would take place in February, as part of the month-long celebrations to mark 60 years since the singer's birth.

"We are working on bringing his remains to Ethiopia," she said. "It is part of Bob's own mission."

Marley was born in St Ann, Jamaica, in 1945, and died of cancer in 1981.

Rita Marley said the star would be reburied in Shashemene, which is around 250km (155 miles) south of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Spiritual leader

Ethiopia has been chosen as it was the birthplace of Haile Selassie, whom Rastafarians such as the late singer consider to be God incarnate.

"Bob's whole life is about Africa, it is not about Jamaica," Rita said. "He has a right for his remains to be where he would love them to be."

Other events planned in Ethiopia to mark Marley's birthday include a film festival, seminars and a gala fundraiser using the themes of Marley's songs including War, Exodus and Get Up Stand Up.

The celebrations will culminate in a concert in Addis Ababa on 6 February featuring three of Marley's children, as well as Quincy Jones, Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour.

The Bob Marley Foundation is seeking to have his birthday declared a national holiday, while there is growing support to have the late singer made a Jamaican national hero.