Junkanoo
The purest form of Bahamian art and culture is the Junkanoo Celebrations that take place twice a year on the islands. While the largest, most-watched parade takes place in Nassau, celebrations are island wide.

While the origin of the word ‘Junkanoo’ is widely speculated, the most believed theory is that it is named after a slave called John Canoe, who was an African Chief who demanded the right to celebrate with his fellow slaves. Another popular theory is that the word comes from the French translation of ‘gens inconnus’, meaning unknown people, referring to disguised individuals.

The roots of Junkanoo can be traced into West Africa and known slave countries such as Bermuda and Jamaica have similar parades of celebration.

Beginning in the 16th or 17th century, the Junkanoo Parade became the tradition of Bahamian slaves who were allowed to leave plantations for a few days around Christmas. While gathering with friends and family, the first parades featured grotesque masks and people on stilts, celebrating music, dance and costumes.

When slavery ended, the Junkanoo Festival nearly became extinct. In fact if not for a few islanders who continued the celebrations, Junkanoo may not exist today.

A community wide effort is put into hosting the Junkanoo Parade, every Christmas and Boxing Day. Friends, relatives and neighbors form large and small groups to perform in the celebrations. Months are spent in what are known as Junkanoo Shacks preparing costumes, while extensive choreography is used to perfect dance routines to bring costumes to life.

The costumes worn by original Junkanoo groups were shredded paper. Today elaborate costumes incorporate materials such as crepe paper glued painstakingly to fabric, cardboard, wood and include magnificent headpieces, shoulder pieces or skirts. Intricate costumes are decorated in festive colours and group members make their own, sometimes working on a piece for the entire year.

All costumes are designed to complement the group’s theme. Themes are closely guarded secrets that are revealed on the night of the competition and can range from historic to contemporary.

Winning costumes are retained and placed in the Junkanoo Museum. Even pieces from competing groups are now collected and cherished.

Music is the most important part of the Junkanoo Celebration. A rhythmic melody of goat skin drums, cowbells and whistles are accompanied by entire brass sections creating a native beat that invigorates and mesmerizes.

The original instruments used by slaves were made from rum or food containers and shaped into the instrument of choice. Today, musicians can be seen using similar methods by stretching goat skin over the drum and tuning it by lighting a candle underneath, much like their ancestors.

Once the goat skin is warmed it becomes tight and is stretched until the right pitch is achieved.

At the end of the Junkanoo procession, groups are awarded cash prizes. Groups are judged on three main categories, they are: best music, best costume and best overall group procession.

Back To Top ------ Back To Island Pages Home

Religion
The Bahamas is a Christian nation and claims to have the greatest number of churches per capita in the world. The Christian faith dominates here and the church is influential in all aspects of society and government.

Denominations include: Anglican/Episcopalian, Assembly of God, Bahai Faith, Baptist, Brethren, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Christian Science, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Greek Orthodox, Jehovah’s Witness, Jewish, Latter-Day Saints (Mormon), Lutheran, Methodist, Muslim/Islamic, Pentecostal, Presbytarian, Roman Catholic, The Salvation Army, Seventh-Day Adventist and other smaller denominations. According to the 200 census the largest denominations on New Providence are Baptist, (35%), Anglican/Episcopalian (15%) and Catholic (14%).

Back To Top ------ Back To Island Pages Home

Conch
Conch (pronounced konk) is a large ocean mollusk with firm white meat that is delicious any way you slice it. Fresh, raw conch is an island favorite served plain and simple - with lime juice and spices. There’s also cracked conch, steamed conch, conch stew, conch fritters, and conch in soups, salads and stews. It is a staple in five-star restaurants as well as casual outdoor stalls. You cannot leave The Bahamas without trying conch at least once. Only then will you be able to confirm or deny its reputation as an aphrodisiac.

Two great casual places to try: the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay and the stalls at Potters Cays dock.

Conch Conservation
Conch populations in The Bahamas are in better shape than some other destinations, partly due to prohibition of the use of scuba gear by conch fishermen, allowing the survival of small, deepwater “refuge” populations which ensure at least some reproduction to replenish the regional stocks.

Bahamian law also restricts the harvest of conch based on a minimum size of the lip or sponge, depending on the type of conch.

Back To Top ------ Back To Island Pages Home