The life and work of Jamaica’s international reggae icon, Bob Marley, was on full display courtesy of the Uniao da Ilha Magia (a samba school) at the Carnaval de Santa Catarina, the third largest carnival in Brazil, on the weekend of March 1-2.

Held in the Florianopolis, the State capital of Santa Caterina, the carnival had upward of 50,000 revellers in attendance. The presentation by the popular samba school, which had some 2,500 participants, incorporated the history of Jamaica, the rise of Bob Marley and the Wailers, the impact of their music and reggae on the world, as well as the significance of the Rastafarian religion in the music.

In addition to revellers being decked out in the colours of the flag of Jamaica — black, green and gold, there were three huge floats, one of which bore a gold-coloured bust in the likeness of Marley. Another float, which was designated, ‘Bob Marley – the Movie’ carried specially invited guests – Bunny Wailer, Andrew Tosh (son of Peter Tosh) and Cindy Breakespeare, who waved to the some 50,000 persons present.

Guest of Honour, The Ambassador of Jamaica in Brazil, Her Excellency Alison Stone Roofe, commented that it was magic to watch the proceedings. “Our hearts were full at this genuine show of love and respect for the Hon Bob Marley, the Jamaican musical tradition and for Jamaican culture. The Samba School has been working at this for two years and they have spent over US $ 700,000 on this tribute. I am very touched and honoured by this,” she said.

Not lost on the occasion was a football tribute to Marley, who while visiting Brazil in 1980 played football with Brazilian musicians including Toquinho and Alceu Valença and a member of the Brazil 1970 squad, Paulo César Cuju, on the home football field of Chico Buargue de Holanda, a popular Brazilian musician, poet and writer.

In 2012, the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signed into law, the date of Bob Marley’s passing, May 11, as National Reggae Day in Brazil.

CAPTIONS

Ambassador

Jamaica’s Ambassador to Brazil Alison Roofe posing with one of the revellers from the Uniao de Iiha da Magia.

float

One of the three floats paying tribute to Bob Marley’s work

Revellers

Revellers from the Uniao da Iiha Magia (samba school) decked out in Jamaican colours

Bust

A close-up of the bust made in the likeness of Bob Marley.

Bunny Wailer

Bunny Wailer stopping to pose for fans on a beach in Florianpolis after the carnival.

Cindy

Cindy Breakspeare and Bunny Wailer, atop one of the three floats dedicated to Bob Marley.

Cindy2

Jamaica Ambassador to Brazil Alison Stone Roofe (left) talks music with Miss World 1976 Cindy Breakspeare who was invited to participate in the carnival hosted last weekend in Brazil.