Ethiopia begins Marley celebrations

Thousands of Bob Marley fans gathered in the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday for the start a month of festivities marking the 60th anniversary of the reggae icon's birthday.

Marley, who died of cancer in 1981, helped popularise the Rastafarian religion which venerates late

Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie as an incarnation of God.

The celebrations began with a colourful ceremony featuring prayer and music at Addis Ababa's city hall, kicking off weeks of events including concerts, film festivals and debates.

Organizers say up to 300,000 people are expected to converge on the city's Meskal square on Sunday for a birthday tribute to singer Marley.

The musical extravaganza will feature, among others, Shaggy, Angelique Kidjo and members of the Marley family. Nelson Mandela is also expected to attend.

Ethiopia's government will honour Marley with a monument on one of Addis Ababa's popular avenues and a park to be named after the singer.