Marley 're-burial' plans denied

Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981

The widow of reggae legend Bob Marley has distanced herself from reports that she plans to exhume his remains in Jamaica and re-bury them in Ethiopia.

Rita Marley was reported as saying the ceremony would take place in February to coincide with celebrations marking 60 years since the singer's birth.

But Rita, who is currently in Ethiopia, has now denied the reports.

A spokeswoman for the Marley Foundation, who is travelling with her, said her words had been "twisted".

Desta Meghoo-Peddie told BBC 1Xtra: "She does express honestly and candidly the fact that Bob, as a Rastaman, loved Ethiopia and she would love to see the day where he is laid to rest in his fathers' land, and she has never been secretive about that.

'Very painful'

"But we have never ever put out anything saying Bob is going to be exhumed, and returned home, and it is very painful to see something so wonderful is being twisted."

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

The 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 the capital Addis Ababa on 6 February featuring three of Marley's children as well as Quincy Jones, Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour.

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