Culture Heritage The Bahamas are an ecological oasis covering roughly 100,000 square miles, and extending 760 miles from the coast of Florida on the Northwest, and almost to Haiti on the Southeast. The Bahamas consist of more than 700 islands, cays, and islets. Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited, the most important are New Providence where the capital is located, and Grand Bahama Island, where the popular port Lucaya and city of Freeport are located. Many of the people who live in the Bahamas are of West African descent, whose ancestors were forced into slavery and worked on the cotton plantations. Others are descendants of English Puritans who emigrated in search for religious freedom. This created a sort of melting pot of unique cultures which has shaped
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Junkanoo is a street parade which features music, dancing, and costumes of Akan origin. The origin of Junkanoo is subject to many debates between the islanders, but what is agreed on is this festival has become the most entertaining street carnival in not only The Bahamas, but also the whole world. It is a popular belief among some localers that Junkanoo evolved from the days of slavery. Slaves were given three days off during Christmas and New Year’s Day. The slaves used these days to celebrate by singing and dancing in masks while traveling door to door, often wearing stilts. The festival starts on Boxing Day (December 26), and runs through New Year’s Day from the hours of 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. Having been to a Junkanoo festival myself it is hard not to enjoy it. The dancing, music, and colorful costumes, as well as the local islanders, really get you involved and it is truly amazing to experience. Junkanoo also inspires other festivals, but on a much smaller scale. Bahamian Independence Day, June 10, is another day the Bahamian people dress in their cultural costumes and put on a street
Junkanoo is a street parade which features music, dancing, and costumes of Akan origin. The origin of Junkanoo is subject to many debates between the islanders, but what is agreed on is this festival has become the most entertaining street carnival in not only The Bahamas, but also the whole world. It is a popular belief among some localers that Junkanoo evolved from the days of slavery. Slaves were given three days off during Christmas and New Year’s Day. The slaves used these days to celebrate by singing and dancing in masks while traveling door to door, often wearing stilts. The festival starts on Boxing Day (December 26), and runs through New Year’s Day from the hours of 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. Having been to a Junkanoo festival myself it is hard not to enjoy it. The dancing, music, and colorful costumes, as well as the local islanders, really get you involved and it is truly amazing to experience. Junkanoo also inspires other festivals, but on a much smaller scale. Bahamian Independence Day, June 10, is another day the Bahamian people dress in their cultural costumes and put on a street