Remembering Mortimo Kumi Planno
On this date in March 5, 2006, the Jamaica Observer reported the passing of Mortimo “Kumi” Planno had died at University of West Indies Hospital.
Planno, who was born on September 6, 1929 in Cuba, was a founding member of the Rastafari Movement Association.
Planno was among the those Caribbeans who travel to Ethiopia in 1961 and later personally met with Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie during the Emperor’s visit to Jamaica in 1966.
Planno is also known to have mentored reggae singer Bob Marley and his band, the Wailers, and help coordinate various activities including in assisting in repatriation of African diaspora of North America to Ethiopia