The largest Junkanoo parade happens in the capital Nassau, New Providence.
The liveliest and largest of the sensational Bahamas Junkanoo party parades is in Nassau, but you can also experience the intoxicating carnival atmosphere on Grand Bahama Island, Eleuthera & Harbour Island, Bimini, The Exumas, and The Abacos.
And whether it’s the children’s rush or the big parade, you will be treated to an incredible splash of colorful splendor.
So time your visit to our islands to be here for Junkanoo and you’ll be more than welcome to jump in, enjoy the beat, feel the rush, and have some fun!
There are also Junkanoo parades in Miami in June and Key West in October, where local black American populations have their roots in The Bahamas.
In addition to being a culture dance for the Garifuna people, this dance is also performed in The Bahamas on Independence day and other historical holidays.
Dances are choreographed to the beat of goatskin drums and cowbells.
The origin of the word junkanoo is disputed. Theories include that it is named after a folk hero named John Canoe or that it is derived from the French gens inconnus or unknown people as masks are worn by the revelers.
This is a possible Igbo origin from the Igbo yam deity Njoku Ji referencing festivities in time for the new yam festival.
Chambers also suggests a link with the Igbo okonko masking tradition of southern Igboland which feature horned maskers and other masked characters in similar style to jonkonnu masks.
Many of the colonies Jonkonnu was prominent, Bahamas, Jamaica as Jankunu, Virginia celebrated Jonkonnu.
Similarities with the Yoruba Egungun festivals have also been identified.
However, an Akan origin is more likely because the celebration of the Fancy Dress Festivals/Masquerades are the same Christmas week(Dec 25- Jan 1st) and also John Canoe was in fact an existing king and hero that ruled Axim Ghana before 1720.
The same year the John Canoe festival was created in the Caribbean.
The festival may have originated several centuries ago, when slaves on plantations in The Bahamas celebrated holidays granted around Christmas time with dance, music, and costumes.
Although the roots of the Junkanoo parade remain subject to long and passionate debates, what is agreed is that, after centuries of practice, today's cultural extravaganzas have become the most entertaining street carnivals of not only The Bahamas, but also the world at large.
With the costumes, dance and music inspired by a different theme each time, preparations for the Boxing Day, New Year's Day and summer time Junkanoo literally take months and bring together men and women from all different walks of life.
Legend has it that you haven't needed an excuse to party in The Bahamas for well over 500 years. But ask folks here at the top of the Caribbean how The Bahamas Junkanoo Tradition got started and they'll all tell you a different story.
The most popular belief, however, is that it developed from the days of slavery.
The influx of Loyalists in the late 18th Century brought many enslaved people who were given three days off at Christmas, which they celebrated by singing and dancing in colourful masks, travelling from house to house, often on stilts.
Junkanoo nearly vanished after slavery was abolished but the revival of the festival in The Bahamas now provides entertainment for many thousands.
Long before the spectacular rush-out, the exuberant Junkanoo dance troupes - groups of up to 1,000 - will have been busy rehearsing their dazzling routines.
The musicians will have perfected the hypnotic rhythms they'll perform day and night on a cacophony of goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles and horns, and the imaginative costume designers will have worked non-stop to weave their own special magic with beautifully coloured crepe paper and cardboard.
As the Junkanoo parade moves through the streets of downtown Nassau in the early hours of the morning generally from 2am to 10am.
The energy of the dancers and the beat of the music motivates the vast crowds of supporters and spectators to start moving in their seats, or on their feet, or in the trees, or on balconies - wherever they have found a spot from which to watch this soul-stirring festival.
At the end of the famous Junkanoo procession, judges award cash prizes for the best music, best costume and best overall group presentation.
The liveliest and largest of the sensational Bahamas Junkanoo party parades is in Nassau, but you can also experience the intoxicating carnival atmosphere on Grand Bahama Island, Eleuthera/Harbour Island, Bimini, The Exumas and The Abacos.
And whether it’s the children’s rush or the big parade, you will be treated to an incredible splash of colourful splendour.
So time your visit to our islands to be here for Junkanoo and you’ll be more than welcome to jump in, enjoy the beat, feel the rush and have some fun.
Junkanoo Summer Festival is a Ministry of Tourism event that showcases Bahamian culture and heritage at its best.
Whether you visit Nassau or festival sites in Grand Bahama, The Abacos, or The Exumas during the months of June and July, you will enjoy an enriching cultural experience.
The Bahamian festival of Junkanoo traditionally takes place over Christmas and New Year. Due to its popularity, Junkanoo Summer has been introduced throughout June and July.
Blending art, culture, and music, local and national entertainers join the Junkanoo groups to parade through the streets.
Your summer festival experiece is not complete if you haven't experienced a Junkanoo Rush-Out.
Whether it's the children's rush or the big parade, you will be treated to an incredible splash of colorful splendor in costuming, and the rhythmic blending of the sounds of goatskin drums, cowbells, bugles, and whistles.
Junior Junkanoo is a school program that involves all the private and public schools throughout the Islands Of The Bahamas.
The Junior Junkanoo program is very important because it is the life blood for the survival of future Junkanoo.
It impacts the students in a way that adds to the school spirit, enhances self pride, builds self esteem, and contributes to the overall patriotism of the students.
In addition, it provides opportunities for them to learn through their involvement.
It assists students in research, planning, organizing, critical thinking, problem solving and role playing activities, and stimulates creative development.
Many children who have participated in the Junior Junkanoo program continued their involvement by joining groups in the senior parade.
As a result of the Junior Junkanoo program, children have recognized their talents in music and dance, and have become great musicians or professional dancers.
After emancipation the tradition continued and junkanoo evolved from simple origins to a formal, organised parade with intricate costumes, themed music and official prizes within various categories.
The Junkanoo parade has featured in movies including the James Bond film Thunderball erroneously described as a local Mardi Gras-type festival.
After the Sunset and Jaws The Revenge, as well as in the season one episode Calderone's Return (Part II) of the 1984 television series Miami Vice, taking place on the fictitious island of St. Andrews.
In the television show Top Chef: Allstars Season 8, episode 13, Fit for a King, the contestants danced at the Junkanoo parade, learned about its history and competed to make the best dish for the Junkanoo King.
Tourism Observer
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