Bunny Wailer Symposium Returns to UWI for Second Annual Staging
Bunny Wailer Symposium 2026 will honour the reggae legend’s cultural and musical legacy
Kingston, Jamaica – The Bunny Wailer Foundation, in collaboration with the Reggae Studies Unit, is preparing to host the 2nd Annual Bunny Wailer Symposium on April 9 at the University of the West Indies.
Scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Neville Hall Lecture Theater, the symposium will bring together academics, reggae scholars, Rastafari cultural practitioners, musicians, and reggae supporters for an evening centered on reflection, education, and cultural dialogue.
This year’s event is themed “Sound & Majesty.”
Symposium Marks Major Reggae Milestones
The 2026 staging commemorates two significant anniversaries connected to the legacy of Bunny Wailer and Rastafari culture.
Organizers say the symposium will recognize the 50th anniversary of the influential Blackheart Man album as well as the 60th anniversary of H.I.M Groundation, both regarded as culturally important moments within reggae and Rastafari history.
Bunny Wailer, a founding member of The Wailers alongside Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, remains widely recognized as one of reggae’s most influential cultural voices.
Scholars and Cultural Figures to Lead Discussions
Curated by Reggae Rituals, the symposium will feature a lineup of presenters and panelists involved in reggae scholarship, Rastafari studies, and cultural activism.
Participants include Bongo Jerry Small, Kareece Lawrence, Dr. Clinton Hutton, and Dr. K’adamawé K’nife.
The evening’s discussions will be moderated by Elaine Wint.
Organizers say the symposium aims to deepen conversations surrounding Bunny Wailer’s contributions to music, spirituality, African identity, and cultural consciousness.
Live Music Component Included
Adding a musical dimension to the evening, Dutty Bookman and Dr. Dennis Howard will present a segment titled “Musically Speaking.”
The event will also feature a live performance by reggae artist Warrior King.
The integration of academic discussion and live performance reflects the symposium’s broader effort to examine reggae not only as entertainment, but also as a cultural and intellectual movement with global influence.
Reggae Scholarship Continues Expanding
The annual Bunny Wailer Symposium forms part of a growing movement within Jamaica and the wider diaspora to formally document and study reggae music, Rastafari philosophy, and Caribbean cultural history through academic and public forums.
As reggae continues to influence audiences internationally, initiatives such as the symposium help preserve the intellectual, spiritual, and historical dimensions of the music for future generations.
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Zhane Squire is Vision Newspaper’s dedicated Reggae Entertainment Correspondent, bringing readers the latest stories from Jamaica and across the global Afro-Caribbean diaspora. With a passion for music, culture, and storytelling, Squire highlights the voices, movements, and trends shaping reggae, dancehall, and Afro-Caribbean entertainment worldwide. His reporting connects Caribbean culture to the global stage, ensuring that artists, festivals, and community stories are told with depth, accuracy, and authenticity. For feedback you can reach him at zhane.squire@visionnewspaper.ca
