Not just any wrap: its Androsia

Every where you go around tropical weather you are bound to find some sort of island like wrap skirt or hawaiin shirt. A real typical tourist look. However, here in the Bahamas the beauty of our nation is captured in our very own 100 % Bahamian made Androsia Print.

Developed in the island of Andros, a small cottage industry was formed by Dick and Rosi Birch of Small Hope Bay Lodge.  They watched one day as some children staying in the lodge worked on a batik craft project. This was a product that they believed could be viewed as 100% Bahamian done. Once the fabric was made, it could be made easily into clothing and other material things. 

hanging fabric to naturally air dry in the sun

  The concept was for the beauty of the environment found around the archipelago of the Bahamas to be used as an inspiration in print designs and brilliant colours. What is even more interesting about the print is that all fabrics are hand batiked and hand dyed no two yards are exactly the same. In more recent years, Androsia has evolved tremendously and can be used for almost anything.  Its most recent worldwide display was during the 2009 Miss Universe Fashion Show held in the Bahamas where designers used the print to create upscaled attire.

I am very proud of this feature of my country and would one day like to make my own Androsia clothes! So if you ever get a chance to visit the island of Andros, check out the native factory. 



  

Video Lessons from Androsia company




 

custome made prints for Pizza Hut



Ladies of the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant Show off their designer Androsia during the fashion show. Pictures from Ministry of Tourism Archives 

 



For more information click for Androsia website
(picures obtained from Androsia.com)



Bahamianese 101

SMILE MON! A common phrase passed around on shirts, cups and key chains of almost, if not all islands within the West Indies. I have travelled around and have yet to hear any islander use this phrase. 

The speech plays a major role in the uniqueness about a country in my eyes. In life I have encountered people from other areas and somehow I always get asked this question: 

What language do Bahamians speak?   

At first it would offend me that people were so ignorant to take an accent as a different language. Only recently had it occurred to me, that so many things we say as Bahamians, no one else in the rest of the world has a clue of what it means. Some words obviously I knew were strictly Bahamian but others I was totally oblivious to the fact that I was speaking in a Bahamian tongue. 

To complete your total package of a Bahamas experience, one should at least be able to pick up a few words native to the country. This is Bahamianese 101: top ten words you should know.

*Please be advised that in order to give you the full effect of the word, examples may be in Bahamianese as well.*

1. Mudda Sick Dred / Vell or Well Mudda Sick: an expression of extreme emotion.

 Ex: Mudda sick dred I fail my test. or  Well mudda sick my car got towed! 

2. Bey / Bei : refers to any person male or female.

Ex: What that bey name again? or Bey, bring me some water please!

3. Aye: the word is used as the question mark to any question.

Ex: Why you all dress up, you goin' out aye?

4. Yinna: meaning you all. Bahamian form of yal 

Ex: Yinna ain tired yet ya been on the beach all day!

5. Ting-um: meaning someone or some thing. Often used unconsciously when you cannot remember the name of what you are talking about.

Ex: Um, um. Ting-um say come outside  or What dat ting-um name that is screw in nails again?

6. Jonza/Joncer/Jonsa : a person that begs on the street or just on the whole.

Ex: Why you always pickin' out my plate you is a jonza aye?

7. Da,Dat & Dis: The, That and This.

Ex: Da girl come up in my face talkin about dis and dat.

8. Gal/gyal: girl, female.
Ex: I hope dis gal ain going out with dat bad lookin weave!

9. Dred: boy, male. Or it can also be used as cool or "off the chain".
Ex 1: Dis dred so cool, you should talk to him.
Ex 2: Saw 6 was so dred I wanna watch it again!

10. Gern (past tense gawn): Going and went.
Ex: You gern to the mall today or you already gawn?  

At the end of it all, YES PEOPLE, Bahamians do speak English (and I mean British English with spelling and all), however we do have our own tongue. While you may figure local language would not play a role in your experience or view on the Bahamian people, it is good to know several words of what they say to avoid miscommunication.

Now that you know - go see for yourself!

-The Real Bahama Mama

video of a Bahamian trying to teach an American the phrase Mudda Sick 

click to view more Bahamian words

  

Unsung World Wonder

The world always joins together, nominates and decides which naturally beautiful places would make the cut for the Natural Wonders of the World. For far too long I have seen beautiful places make the list but I feel as though the Bahamas has some locations that have been overlooked for years that I wish to share with you. 



Homer Winslow painting of the Glass Window Bridge

The first location is probably my favorite place in the world! It is so amazing and astonishes me every time I see it. This place I am talking about is the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera, Bahamas. This natural formation is the most narrow spot of the island which connects the 112 mile long North and South ends of the island. Originally, it actually had a rock formation of a bridge which was knocked down by a storm and is now replaced by a constructed bridge. The amazing feature about this spot is that on one side is the deep blue water of the  Atlantic Ocean, roaring in rage and the other side is the calm, green waters of the Caribbean Sea.

This and many other locations are on the "Out Islands" of the Bahamas, the non commercialized islands. Many people may never even hear of this Glass Window Bridge because of it is not among the hotel areas. If you ever get some time to visit the Bahamas, head to Eleuthera island.

 

Tell me this is not the most beautiful natural miracle you have ever seen!





Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's "Island Hopping" Campaign

 



Now that you know - go see for yourself!

-The Real Bahama Mama

We have JUNKANOO not Carnival

While I love to hear the upbeat rhythms of soca that becomes the heartbeat of a true Caribbean carnival, this is not a tradition of the Bahamas. We don't have carnival we have Junkanoo. In this parade we showcase our culture in three forms: music, art and dance.



Valley Boys 08 movie theme: Saw Costume



This holiday celebration has a history as far back as the times of slavery and actually the root of its' beginning. During the slavery period, Africans were allowed three days off from work as usual, December 25 & 26 and New Years Day. On two of those days they were allowed to carry out their festival.This festival included music of the goat skin drums and costumes made from what ever they could have found. The most probable reasoning behind the name choice is that the highly praised African Prince John Canoe, was the one to fight for days of celebration of his people.

From its origin to the celebration we see today, it has evolved tremendously. It is now a commercialized competition between top groups that create themes in which they have to follow in their banner, costumes, choreographed dancing and music. They are judged on the previously mentioned and the winner gets a monetary prize for the entire group and bragging rights for the year. 

 

Some people even follow Junkanoo religiously and are very faithful to their prospective groups. I am one of those people for instance and I will be a "Valley Girl" (of the group Valley Boys) until the end of my days. This is something I am so proud of as a Bahamian because we truly have and found our own culture within this region and are the only ones to honor this festival!     

Now that you know - go see for yourself!

-The Real Bahama Mama

 



Junkanoo performers create the steady beat of the goat skin drum





Brass section creating the melody of the music



Choreographed dancers always add the extra flare of it all



Click for info about Junkanoo Museum

Click for info About Junkanoo Tickets and Dates



We've got that too! Franchises in the 242

McDonald's Bahamas pic with Gold Medalist Debbie Ferguson

Many people believe that the islanders are a set of secluded people from the rest of the world and probably live off of coconuts and mangoes. Where we do have our own set of native dishes and restaurants within the capital city, Nassau, many food places that are popular world wide can be found here as well. From fast food joints such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and KFC, to drink spots of Starbucks and Jamba Juice to full service restaurants like Carmine's, Johnny Rockets and Bennegan's the Bahamas has been considered pretty Americanized compared to the other islands in the region. 

While we do wish to satisfy the comfort travellers that prefer to have familiar choices at their disposal, it is not unusual for the food place to give the franchise a Bahamian boost that makes it so unique. For example, instead of crispy chicken at KFC we have spicy chicken and the option of native dish peas and rice as a side. Also, Bennegan's has turned into a cultural affair showcasing our native musical festival every Friday throughout the restaurant.

What I find most interesting is that the popularity of some of the choices have a completely different outcome in the Bahamas. For example, McDonald's is the number one fast food place in America and can be found at almost every corner, Burger King comes in second and KFC and Wendy's are scattered about. In the Bahamas, however, KFC is hands down the favorite food choice in Nassau with 10 locations with Wendys' in a close second owning 7 locations. McDonald's and Burger King trail behind with 3 locations each.  


Lastly, I cannot speak about food franchises and not mention some fast food styles of our own. The most loved Bahamian styled fast food franchise is the Bahamian owned Bamboo Shack home of the "Chicken in Da Bag". This native fast food place does not even own a drive thru but is by far the most visited food place of them all.  Serving dishes from fried chicken, to cracked conch and lobster to grilled jerk chicken and even burgers. This island cookery is the epitome of fast food back at home and every food chain takes a lesson or two from them.


While it is convenient for tourist and Bahamians who like American food to easily find it in Nassau, it is awesome that our native food place still comes out on top!

Now that you know - go see for yourself!

-The Real Bahama Mama



Famous Conch Snack of Bamboo Shack!