|
Event
Information:
Junkanoo is a street parade with
music, which occurs in many towns
across The Bahamas and The Turks and
Caicos Islands every Boxing Day
(December 26), New Year's Day and,
more recently, in the summer on the
island of Grand Bahama. The largest
Junkanoo parade happens in Nassau,
the capital. There are additionally
Junkanoo parades in both Miami, in
June and Key West, in October, where
the local Afro-American populations
have their roots in the Bahamas.
The
word "Junkanoo" derived from an
African slave master and trader
named "John Canoe" in the 17th
century. These slaves were not
allowed much freedom and would hide
in the bushes when they had the
chance. While in the bushes, they
would dance and make music while
covered in costumes that they made
from various paints that they made
and leaves that they found. This
festival represented the slave's
freedom from slavery.
Parades in Nassau are judged in
various categories; A (or Major)
Category, the B Category, Individual
costume, and fun groups. The A
category groups involved in the
Nassau Junkanoo include The Shell
Saxon Superstars (AKA The Saxons),
The Valley Boys, The Music Makers,
Roots, One Family and The Prodigal
Sons (New). Groups of the past
include, The Vikings and Chippie and
the Boys. In the B category groups
include One Love Soldiers, Clico
Colours, Fancy Dancers, Fox Hill
Congos, and Conquerors for Christ.
Fun groups include The Pigs, Sting
and Barabbas & The Tribe. The
Tribe's debut was as an "A" category
group, however, after years of
bringing innovative techniques in
music and costuming to Bay Street,
they have returned to the spirit of
Junkanoo, and are bringing the fun
with a flair.
A
Junkanoo parade is featured in
sequences of the James Bond film
Thunderball that occur in Nassau.
The celebration was staged
specifically for the movie since it
was filmed at the wrong time of
year, but local residents were
enthusiastic, creating elaborate
floats and costumes and involving
hundreds of people. The parade was
also featured in After the Sunset
and Jaws The Revenge.
Local
Weather:
|
