Christmas in Nassau: Junkanoo Festival Kicks Off
By
Will McGough
|
Friday, 30 December 2011 |
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Will McGough
I could tell you a few things: I'm a writer, I live in Santa Barbara, and I'm an
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On my tour of Nassau I also met Arlene Nash Ferguson, the Bahamian woman in the video below, and she gave me a tour of her museum and a quick history lesson of the Junkanoo Festival.
The word Junkanoo developed after a slave named John Canoe led the charge for the freedom of slaves in the 17th Century (seriously). It's held every year during Christmas time - a large parade with costumes, music, and Bahamian flair.
Funny fact: The costumes are so big and heavy that a strong wind one year forced the festival to be canceled - the participants were getting blown over (one young man broke his leg)!
Check out this video to get a feel for it - perhaps an idea for a holiday getaway next year?
