International Reggae Day

Disha Bhattacharyya
Dec 22, 2023 By Disha Bhattacharyya
Originally Published on Mar 18, 2022
Fact-checked by Sonali Rawat
Learn about International Reggae Day in this article.

Where is International Reggae Day celebrated?

International Reggae Day is observed all over the world to celebrate soothing Jamaican music and the reggae culture.

Who is International Reggae Day celebrated by?

 The day has struck a chord with the music lovers in the world who join the International Reggae Day celebration.

When did International Reggae Day first start?

People first celebrated this holiday on July 1, 1994. Andrea Davis founded this day to create an annual reggae music event. The first celebration happened in Kingston, Jamaica, from where it spread to the rest of the world.

Who started International Reggae Day?

Andrea Davis visited Jamaica in 1991 and got inspired listening to a speech by Winnie Mandela, where she said how reggae music had helped Jamaican people to find a voice. Davis wanted to celebrate reggae music, so she founded an international holiday dedicated to reggae.

History And Timeline

Let's know about the history of this popular Latin American music.  

Creation Of Reggae Music

This genre of music developed in Jamaica during the late '60s and quickly became the country's most popular music genre.

'60s

Introduction of The Term Reggae

Popular band, Toots, and the Maytals released their single 'Do the Reggae,' introducing the word 'reggae' in the music industry.

1968

Catch A Fire

Bob Marley recorded the legendary album 'Catch A Fire' which became a global sensation and made him a pioneer of reggae music. The album became hugely popular in Britain, the USA, and Africa.

1972

First International Reggae Day

Andrea Davis founded this day after going on a trip to Kingston, Jamaica, in 1991. She was hugely impressed by reggae roots that spoke about the Africans' life and hopes and wanted reggae music to get global acclaim.

1994

UNESCO Adds Reggae To Its Heritage List

In 2018, this genre of Jamaica was added to UNESCO'organized the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.'

2018

Traditions And Customs

Various music festivals are organized worldwide on International Reggae Day to celebrate the spirit of this popular Jamaican music. You can go to any of them or listen to reggae music in the comfort of your home.

This popular style has a rich history, so choose this day to know about its roots. Brilliant documentaries like 'Reggae: The Story of Jamaican Music' and Roots, Reggae, Rebellion' are available online to make you fall in love with this culture.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate International Reggae Day

 Kingston, Jamaica, holds the international reggae festival on this day. If you want to celebrate this day in the best way, you should definitely visit the festival.

Music festivals are also organized in countries like the UK, the USA, and South Africa. Go to any of them and immerse yourself in the rhythm of reggae. If you are a musician, you can learn this style and pick up a few songs.

You can also enjoy the reggae culture by hosting a Jamaica-themed party. Cook some Jamaican food, play Bob Marley, and have fun!

Facts And Stats

Andrea Davis, who founded the International Reggae Day, is a Jamaican Strategist.

Many popular reggae artists have millions of fans, helping in the global spread of this day.

Reggae Sumfest is the largest international reggae event organized after International Reggae Day.

What is the most popular reggae?

There are many popular reggae songs. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Jimmy Cliff are iconic musicians, and their music can be considered the most popular.

What is the significance of International Reggae Day?

International Reggae Day raises a toast to the popular style of reggae music, Jamaican creativity, and iconic reggae artists.b

How is International Country Music Day different from International Reggae Day?

Both days celebrate different genres of music. While the former celebration is about relaxing country music, the latter focuses on Jamaican music culture, known as reggae music.

How does International Reggae Day affect people psychologically/emotionally?

Reggae music started as an emotional outlet for the people of Jamaica, and they made music that spoke about their struggle. Even today, people sing and listen to reggae songs to convey emotions.

Why do people love International Reggae Day?

Reggae music is popular worldwide, and musicians like Bob Marley have taken this style to new heights. People love listening to reggae music which relaxes and soothes everyone. So International Reggae Day is loved by every music lover in the world.

What is special about International Reggae Day?

On this day, people celebrate reggae style, one of the most iconic music genres that originated from Jamaica.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Wednesday, July 01, 2020
  • Thursday, July 01, 2021
  • Friday, July 01, 2022
  • Saturday, July 01, 2023
  • Monday, July 01, 2024

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Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/feb/04/bobmarley60thanniversary.bobmarley

https://www.britannica.com/art/reggae

https://nationaltoday.com/international-reggae-day/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/bring-the-noise/the-rise-of-reggae/zdkxqp3

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Written by Disha Bhattacharyya

Bachelor of Pharmacy

Disha Bhattacharyya picture

Disha BhattacharyyaBachelor of Pharmacy

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from West Bengal University of Technology and a medical-writing accreditation from Stanford University. Disha is an experienced SEO writer with a passion for writing about science and psychology. Her prior work experience as a content writer has equipped her with the necessary skills to write engaging and informative content. Disha is known for her versatility and thorough research skills. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, dancing, and writing mental health journals on her blog.

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Fact-checked by Sonali Rawat

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature, Masters of Art specializing in English and Communication Skills

Sonali Rawat picture

Sonali RawatBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature, Masters of Art specializing in English and Communication Skills

Sonali has a Bachelor's degree in English literature from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and is currently pursuing a Master's in English and Communication from Christ University. With considerable experience in writing about lifestyle topics, including travel and health, she has a passion for Japanese culture, especially fashion, and anime, and has written on the subject before. Sonali has event managed a creative-writing festival and coordinated a student magazine at her university. Her favorite authors are Toni Morrison and Anita Desai.

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