How cool to be at Junkanoo!

Man, how neat to be in the Bahamas over New Years! Starting December 26th and continuing into January 1st, they have just finished celebrating Junkanoo. Held mainly in the Bahamas, the parades showcase the culture’s music, art and dance. I had heard about this celebration for the first time in the movie After the Sunset, but I didn’t realize what a big celebration it really was!

The supposed origin of this holiday is that an African prince and slave trader named John Canoe (hence the name junkanoo) supposedly “outwitted the English and … gained control of Fort Branderbury.” In doing so, he became feared by both the Dutch and English, and the slaves saw him as a hero. Their worship has continued to this day in the form of their Junkanoo festival, and over the years has become a fierce competition of parades, often with corporate sponsors putting up anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000!

The main Bahamian Junkanoo parade begins at 2 a.m. on December 26th and again on January 1st, and continues until about 9 a.m. Sounds like one rocking party to me, although I’m not sure I’d be up early enough to see it! The good news is that there is a Junkanoo Expo in Nassau which allows tourists to experience a little bit of Junkanoo without being there over the New Year holiday.

I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise – maybe we can find one that will swing by this place so I can check out the festivities…

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How cool to be at Junkanoo!

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