BAHAMAS: Junknoo Festival

Junkanoo is a street parade with music, dance, and costumes of Akan origin in many towns across Jamaica and the Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1), the same as Kakamotobi or the Fancy Dress Festival.

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

BAHAMAS: Hurricane Matthew, Bahamas Assessing Damage

Bahamian authorities were on Friday assessing the damage done by Hurricane Matthew that tore through the chain of islands on Thursday.

There were no immediate reports of deaths and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) gave the all clear for the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas early Friday.

The Ministry of Tourism said it had begun assessing hotel properties, beaches and other touristic sites throughout the Islands.

But it said that initial reports indicate that there was no major damage on the Family Islands.


“The country’s tourism product fared well during Hurricane Matthew with Grand Bahama, New Providence and Andros receiving the brunt of the storm. It is unclear at this time to what extent Grand Bahama was affected by Hurricane Matthew, “the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement.

Officials from the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) said they are conducting clean-up and assessment exercises at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) with a view to restoring operations as early as Saturday.

The Port of Nassau will open on Saturday and officials are currently conducting assessments and clean-up exercises. It is expected that at least two cruise ships will call on the Port on Saturday.

“I am so pleased that there are reports of only minor damage in our family islands and on New Providence. We are still awaiting official reports from Grand Bahama but are ready to respond to that island’s needs.

“We are cognizant that we are a blessed nation because we took quite a lashing from such a powerful category four hurricane and received no loss of life or widespread destruction,” said Joy Jibrilu, director general of tourism.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers for all the residents of The Bahamas who have been affected by the storm.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Haiti where at last report there were over 400 people believed to be dead. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Caribbean family in recovery exercises,” she said, adding “we are also keeping the US state of Florida in our hearts as Hurricane Matthew moves through”.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s (BMOT) crisis management team, which said it is continuing to liaise with NEMA, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), Nassau Airport Development Company, the Port Authority and other relevant authorities, is urging industry partners advising them to allow NEMA, the appropriate government agency, to conduct the initial damage and needs assessment in all the affected areas.

But Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he was disappointed that thieves used the storm as an opportunity to carry out criminal activities.

“While most of the people of Fox Hill worked together during the storm, the Sandilands Primary School was broken into and all its computers from its computer lab were stolen and the principal’s office was ransacked on the day the hurricane struck by persons unknown.

“This is reprehensible and disgusting. How can someone be so morally bankrupt as to use a storm to rob little children of a chance at a decent future? I ask the community to keep their eyes and ears open to find these thieves and report them to the police who are investigating,” Mitchell said

The Bahamas Telecommunication Company (BTC) Friday said it was providing all customers with a five dollar mobile credit “to help families stay in contact with their loved-ones following the storm".

The company said that it has managed to maintain above average service levels through-out the storm and that restoration efforts have already started in the South East Islands and other areas

“In the areas that were most impacted, namely, New Providence and Grand Bahama, the resident BTC Teams were dispatched immediately following the “all clear” to conduct assessments and restorations. Basic communications are in place in most of the Family Islands.

“Additionally, BTC has already identified teams for assessments and restoration in the impacted islands and with the opening of the airports on Saturday, October 8, 2016, those teams will travel to conduct assessments and complete repairs. “

The Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited (BPL) said it has started restoring power to customers, noting that is action plan for restoration is a step down approach impacting the largest amount of customers first and continuing on to smaller groupings and then individual customers.

“Given the extent of the damage restoration could, for some, take several days or even longer. There are numerous issues that may impact the restoration process including; severe flooding on several parts of the island.

“We fully understand how critical power is in helping you recover from such a destructive storm; however, while we will work hard to get power restored to all communities, we will do so safely.

“We cannot and will not jeopardise the safety of our teams or customers to expedite this process. We hope customers can appreciate the extremity of this situation and will work along with us to help all communities and the entire country bounce back after this devastating storm,” the BBL added.

BAHAMAS: Sunwing’s New Bahamas Flight

Travel giant Sunwing has officially made its newest flight to Grand Bahama.

The new flight from Houston, Texas arrived with 189 visitors last week.

It was welcomed by a delegation including Bahamas Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe and Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville.

Tourism officials said they anticipated that the new route would bring tourists to the island from as many as eight US cities.

Texas is apparently a growing market for Bahamian tourism, officials said.

BAHAMAS: Bahamas In 7m Tourist Target

TOURISM officials yesterday said they are hoping to attract a “routine arrival” of cruise ships to the southern Bahamas, as they bid to increase annual visitor numbers to a total of seven million.

Speaking with Tribune Business at a ceremony in Chester’s, Acklins, to mark the arrival of more than 100 passengers aboard the luxury cruise liner, Noble Caledonian Island Sky, Obie Wilchcombe, minister of tourism, said such visits could spark tremendous economic benefits for Family Island economies.

The Island Sky set sail from Miami, and is now on a 14-day itinerary through the northern Caribbean and the Bahamas. The majority of its passengers are European, with some from Australia.

“There is a natural beauty to Acklins. There was an event here a couple months ago, and now they’re coming back,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

“What we want to do is try and cause for a routine visit here, whether it’s once a quarter or once every month or every two months; something to help generate economic activity. Most of the islands are empty because people have left in search of activity. We we have to find ways to generate economic growth and development.”

He added: “One visit could mean a tremendous economic benefit to the island. If we could cause a routine arrival of cruise ships between the southern Bahamas and southern countries, we would be in great shape.”

Speaking to expectations for cruise arrivals this year, Mr Wilchcombe said: “In so far as cruise arrivals are concerned, we’re up again. It’s continuing to grow. We have seen Norwegian Cruise Lines add a new vessel, travelling between Nassau and Miami. We expect a very good year for sea arrivals.”

Regarding air arrivals, Mr Wilchcombe said: “Air arrivals are looking good for this year. We knew last year it would be a bad year, but already we’re already off to a good start.

“Grand Bahama is already up by 5,000 visitors for the month of January. We’re not going to be satisfied until we get to the seven million mark.”

BAHAMAS: ‘Kiss Of Death’ Fear Over Gb Cruise Port

Freeport’s cruise economy will suffer “the kiss of death” if the Government approves Carnival Cruise Lines’ proposed private port in eastern Grand Bahama, an outspoken QC warned yesterday.

Fred Smith, the Callenders & Co attorney and partner, told Tribune Business that companies dependent on cruise tourism would see their business volumes “nose dive” if the world’s largest cruise line received the go-ahead from the Christie administration.

He added that the proposed location was much different from the prior cruise port proposal, which envisaged such a facility at Williams Town - a site at the heart of the Port area.

This location, Mr Smith said, would have ensured that cruise-dependent businesses continued to benefit from the sector, but Carnival’s proposal would likely result in a major reduction in vessels calling at Freeport Harbour.

“The cruise ship facility out east is going to be the kiss of death to businesses in Freeport, where we have so little business anyway,” Mr Smith told Tribune Business.

“As a businessman in Freeport, how will the construction of such a private cruise port experience benefit the economy of Freeport?

“Quite the contrary. It will cause Freeport’s cruise ship economy to take a nose dive, as ships will no longer be coming to Freeport Harbour.”

With Carnival instead sending its vessels to its own private port/beach experience, Mr Smith said Freeport-based taxi and tour bus operators would experience an immediate fall-off in passenger numbers transported to the Port Lucaya Marketplace and other tourist attractions in the city.

He warned that these facilities, along with bars, restaurants, retailers, beach experiences, and tour/excursion providers such as UNEXSO, would all suffer should Carnival’s private port be approved.

“The Freeport Harbour Company will have dramatically less harbour fees and reduced income; the tug boats will have reduced income; the pilotage companies will have less income, and it will simply cut a huge percentage out of the business that would otherwise normally be coming to Freeport,” Mr Smith said of the proposed Carnival venture.

“This is quite different from the Williams Town proposal, which was smack dab in the middle of the non-industrial area of Freeport. It was in the Port area, and all of the normal support facilities and business from the cruise ships arriving there would have continued for Freeport.

“I don’t see how it makes any sense to cater to the cruise industry clamouring for a private beach experience.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie recently confirmed that the Government was in negotiations with Carnival over the project, and that both sides were studying a draft Heads of Agreement.

Tribune Business understands that the proposed site for the private port is to the west of Statoil’s facility, on land that is privately owned by the Bain family.

Carnival has made no secret of its desire to have its own private port/passenger getaway in the Bahamas, a senior executive confirming its intentions to a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) gathering at Palm Cay last year.

It is just about the only cruise line without its own Bahamas private facility, with rivals such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines already possessing their own getaways such as Coco Cay in the Berry Islands and Half Moon Cay near Cat Island.

However, Tribune Business has long reported concerns among cruise ship industry insiders that few economic benefits filter down to Bahamians and locally-owned businesses and entrepreneurs from such private facilities.

These insiders have in the past revealed that most of the revenues and profits generated by such private facilities stay with the cruise lines, which effectively control all the excursions and activities offered to the passengers.

Bahamian-owned businesses allowed to operate in these private ports also rent their facilities from the cruise lines, who in some cases have been able to dictate the mark-ups charged to passengers.

K P Turnquest, FNM MP for east Grand Bahama, yesterday acknowledged to Tribune Business that such issues were a “concern” for his constituents, given that they hoped to capitalise on entrepreneurial as well as employment opportunities arising from the planned cruise port.

“We’re looking further than that,” he said in relation to potential job creation. “We’re hoping that whatever is negotiated, it opens up opportunities for entrepreneurs in that area to take advantage of the traffic.”

Mr Turnquest also expressed concern that the Government had released few details about the proposed Carnival project, warning that this left his constituents in danger of being unable to properly prepare themselves to exploit spin-off opportunities.

“We are particularly keen to know what is going on, what the status is,” he told Tribune Business.

“What I would hate to see happen is the opportunities come, we are left out of the picture because we have not prepared ourselves, and people from Freeport and outside the area come and take advantage.

“Any development out east we see as a benefit because it will provide the stimulus, the employment for the area that is very lacking.”

Mr Turnquest said eastern Grand Bahama had previously been unable to exploit its “very rich natural resources” for eco-tourism because of the distance to Freeport. This meant that cruise ship passengers often only reached the area around midday, and soon had to return to the ship.

Mr Smith, meanwhile, called on the Government to disclose full details of what it was negotiating with Carnival, describing the situation as another “secret Heads of Agreement”.

“This is another example of the Government not respecting Family Islanders’ rights, and of the Port Authority and at the local licensee level,” he added.

“Who is benefiting from this? Not Freeport licensees, not Bahamian entrepreneurs and business people. These are secret deals being cut again over Family Island resources without reference to Family Islanders.

“There is a complete lack of appreciation for the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, and licensees are being left high and dry.”

Mr Smith also questioned whether any Carnival deal would violate Hutchison Whampoa’s alleged “exclusivity” on all ports and harbours on Grand Bahama, and if the Port Authority’s partner would be receiving harbour dues from the cruise line.

If the answer to the latter question was ‘yes’, Mr Smith said it would impact Freeport’s infrastructure and harbour maintenance, as dues would be going to Hutchison - not the Port Authority, as they currently do at Freeport Harbour.