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



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