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A few days ago news spread that well-known musical genre reggae, which originated in the beautiful island of Jamaica, would be protected by the UN. Katfriend Natalie Corthésy (The University of the West Indies at Mona) explains what happened in detail and reflects on the implications thereof. Here’s what Natalie writes: “BIG UP!” This popular Jamaican expression used to congratulate someone for achieving success, is an appropriate toast to reggae fans all over the world. At long last, reggae, a musical genre which originated in Jamaica, has been added to the United Nation’s list of International Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. The protected list was created in 2008 and came about as a result of the 2003 UN convention for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Its aims are to ensure respect for communities, groups and individuals involved in the listed activity, to raise awareness and encourage appreciation of those activities nationally and internationally. Led by J...

Should France [and any other colonial power] give back to Africa [or any other former colony] its cultural heritage? ‘Yes’ says the experts’ report delivered last week to President Emmanuel Macron, urging France to do so regarding Africa's cultural heritage ( here ).  In 2017, the French President commissioned a report to evaluate the possibility of making restitution regarding the African cultural heritage currently held by the collections and archives of French museums. A year later, heritage specialists Felwine Sarr and Bénédicte Savoy delivered a 252-page long report , outlining a five-year plan to return cultural heritage items to their respective places of origin.  Their proposed restitution policy is primarily concerned with the policies and conventions of conduct in place to trace the origin and rightful ownership of items, depending on the circumstances of their acquisition (sales, donation, looting and the like). At first glance, this discussion should have little to...