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Swept up by The Bahamas’ version of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, thousands of tourists and residents poured one evening into downtown Freeport, Grand Bahama. Lining a central street, or sitting in grandstands, they watched the ongoing parade—elaborately costumed and dancing groups of more than 100 people, gyrating amid rhythmic whistles, drums, and bells.
The occasion was “Just Rush” held on June 9, part of the “Junkanoo” festivals. That is The Bahamas’ own version of Carnival, an updated version of festivals held by slaves hundreds of years ago. Today, the festival is an upbeat celebration of life and freedom.
What’s more, The Bahamas is expanding such cultural traditions, part of a “rebranding” of the tourism industry being undertaken by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and his new Free National Movement Party government.
“We heard that the rental cars were all rented in Freeport,” said new tourism minister Neko Grant, during an interview days after the event.
Traditionally, Junkanoo festivals were held on December 26 and January 1. But now, there is a desire to expand such popular events.
In The Bahamas, Junkanoo parades revolve around positive themes, with well-organized groups presenting floats and members attired in elaborate outfits. This year’s theme was “Cultural Features: The Bahamas, The World.”
The groups compete for cash prizes, and this year’s $100,000 purse was reportedly the biggest ever.
Along the parade route, the streets were lined with vendors selling Bahamian food, and families are much in evidence.
“This is a cultural thing, an event that we’ve been holding for many years,” explained Lavardo Sands, 19, of Nassau. Dressed in an elaborate outfit, he and his “Roots” group were preparing to march on the street, gyrating past judges in the grandstand. Other groups competing were the “Saxons,” “Valley Boys,” “One Family,” “Swingers” and “Classic Dancers.”
Sands, a psychology major at Dickinson State University in North Dakota, said that working on the elaborate costumes and floats is an ongoing process. As it turned out, the “Roots” group took first place, $20,000.
The precise origin of the word “Junkanoo” is not known. But one popular explanation is that it dates to the name of a slave, John Canoe (and hence “Junkanoo”), who had been an African tribal chief.
Emphasizing that such cultural festivals are important, Troy Dawkins, 38, of Freeport, said, “We enjoy it. You can’t get enough.” He brought along his young sons, Ty and Trey.
“It was one of the best parades I’ve ever seen,” said Jessica, Caswell, 23, of Augusta, Georgia.
Her husband, Ben, said they heard of the event from the staff at a local hotel. “They told us that if you do anything, you have to go there.” |
