The closing ceremony of BIFF 2012 Best of Fest wrapped with a Junkanoo

Junkanoo is a Bahamian festival that occurs during the dark hours of morning on the 26th of December and again bringing in its first hours of light on the first day of the new year. Thousands dance through Bay Street, Nassau's town center, like a wild ocean of colour, while deep goat skin rhythms reverberate off the surrounding walls and cow bells chatter over the singing of brass horns. The sidewalk like a snake comes to life twisting blacks and browns while balconies and roof tops sway under the rhythmic feet of onlookers. There is a timeless sense, a feeling inside that is so vital that even the deaf feel to move. And as though possessed, these God-like cardboard sculptures dive and rise to the awesome music that lifts their spirits beyond the flesh." (courtesy - c2000 M. Govan & E. Robinson) 

To experience Bahamian culture and art, you should make plans to attend Junkanoo. The Bahamian festival of Junkanoo is an energetic, colourful parade of brightly costumed people gyrating and dancing to the rhythmic accompaniment of cowbells, drums and whistles. The celebration occurs on December 26 and January 1 -- beginning in the early hours of the morning (2:00 a.m.) and ending at dawn.

Junkanoo is reminiscent of New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, but it is distinctly Bahamian and exists nowhere else. Parade participants -- arranged in groups of up to 1,000 -- are organised around a particular theme. Their costumes, dance and music reflect this theme. At the end of the Junkanoo procession, judges award cash prizes. The three main categories for the awards are: best music, best costume and best overall group presentation.

The most spectacular Junkanoo parade occurs in Nassau. However, you can also experience it on Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Bimini and Abaco. It's held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1) from 2:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m.

If you wish to experience the cultural festival of Junkanoo, plan ahead and arrive early. In Nassau, some of the best views are upstairs on Bay Street, or on the street-side bench seats, which you may reserve in advance.

As Junkanoo traditions have evolved, so, too, have the costumes. Sea sponges, leaves, fabric and shredded paper have at one time or another played their part in costume construction.

Costumes today are made out of crepe paper that is meticulously glued to fabric, cardboard or wood. They usually consist of a headdress, shoulder piece and skirt, which are elaborate and brilliantly coloured. Group members make their own costumes and it may take them up to a year to complete the intricate creations.

Costume design is tied to a theme and is a carefully guarded secret. Themes vary greatly -- they can be contemporary, based on the past or anything the group chooses.

Junkanoo costumes that may have once been discarded as rubbish after the parade, are now being preserved for posterity. The winning creations are placed in the Junkanoo Museum, formerly located in downtown Nassau at the Prince George Wharf. The museum is temporarily closed, because it is being relocated.

Music is the most important part of Junkanoo. The rhythmic sounds of goatskin drums, cowbells and whistles -- accompanied by a separate brass section -- create an infectious beat that’s too strong to resist!

Slaves, who originally made their musical instruments from cast-off items, fashioned rum or food containers into drums and scrap metal into bells. Today’s musicians use similar methods. Like their ancestors, they stretch goatskin across the drum opening and "tune" it by burning a candle under the skin to tighten it to the right pitch.