Reggae has been added to a list of international cultural treasures which the United Nations has deemed worthy of protecting and promoting.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

The music, which grew out of Jamaica in the 1960s thanks to artists like Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, was added to the collection due to its "intangible cultural heritage".

Reggae is "cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual," said Unesco.

It has "penetrated all corners of the world," added a Jamaican spokesperson.

Reggae followed on from the ska and rocksteady genres - other early pioneers included Lee Scratch Perry and Prince Buster.

Millie Small's 1964 ska cover of My Boy Lollipop also helped introduce reggae's laidback groove to the world.

"I am delighted, it's wonderful news," BBC 1Xtra veteran presenter Dave Rodigan told World Service radio. "I've loved this music since I first heard it as a teenager."