Bob Marley - File

In introducing Dr Jelani Niaah, who delivered the 2009 Bob Marley Lecture on Tuesday evening, University of the West Indies (UWI) deputy principal Joe Pereira described him as an "innovator and activist", outlining his pioneering role in Rastafari Studies at the UWI. Pereira also told the substantial audience at the Undercroft, UWI, Mona, about Niaah's "willingness to take us beyond the boundaries of what we do in the conservative halls of academia".

And Niaah, a lecturer in Rastafari Studies, did just that in examining 'One Love, Bob Marley and Rastafari in the New African Millenium'. In the lecture, put on by the Institute of Caribbean Studies and the Reggae Studies Unit of the UWI, in association with the Bob Marley Foundation, Niaah traced the development of Rastafari, asking what was the message of the early teachers. And Marley's One Love was played, the first sound clip in the multimedia presentation.

Niaah said early expressions of 'one love' were found in Garvey, Rastafari, Jamaica's national motto and Haile Selassie, with one love leadership tradition coming through Alexander Bedward, A Rogers and Leonard Howell.

Unlike many who would dismiss 'Out of Many One People' as being simply untrue, Niaah said he embraced the spirit of the motto and suggested that it was prophecy.

There was extensive detail on Mortimer Planno's role in the Rastafari movement and influence on Marley, as well as others who gathered in Planno's Trench Town 'Open Yard'. Niaah also gave extended treatment to the reverence in which Marley was held around the world and the 'Africa Unite' concert series staged by the Marley family.

Niaah read a number of letters from persons in Nigeria, illustrating that, through his work, Marley was able to establish a bridge with Africa, as well as a fan base.

Niaah also pointed to a Pan-African community which existed at the level of a transnational state, saying "to this extent, Rastafarians have helped to create Africa abroad". And, the new African is "cognisant of his spiritual stewardship of the world".

Open displays of affection

And, in speaking to 'African Leadership as Love', as he moved to the end of his lecture, Niaah pointed to the Obama family. Images of Barack and Michelle Obama's open displays of affection were shown on the screen as Third World's Now That We've Found Love was played. "Obama, perhaps, could be seen as the contemporary Marley aesthetic," Niaah said.

The lecture was followed by an interactive session, members of the audience taking the opportunity to get amplification on some specific aspects.

Ras Marlon provided a song twice during the lecture, History Man's 'Bob Marley Story' going down very well before the question and answer segment.

And, in bringing greetings on behalf of Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia Grange, Director of Culture, Sydney Bartley said "perhaps now there would be a place in this institution for the new Bob Marley".

The 12th annual Bob Marley Lecture was hosted by Dr Donna Hope Marquis, who, along with Niaah, noted Professor Carolyn Cooper's role in establishing the lecture series.