1. Religion Dance Foods Junkanoo straw Craft
BAHAMIAN CULTURE
Religion Dance Foods Junkanoo
straw Craft

2. RELIGION
Religion is an integral part of Bahamian life. Even the tiniest village has a church—some even have two. The people’s high for religion and education are evidence of their Puritan heritage, derived from the Eleutheran adventurers.

3. MUSIC
Music is also in the very bones of the people. African rhythms, Caribbean Calypso, English folk songs, and the uniquely Bahamian Goombay beat echo in the air. The fast-tempoed “goom-bahhh” resonating from the drums can be traced back to the days of slavery and is used both for storytelling and dancing.

4. JUNKANOO
Junkanoo-ers are men and women who come from all different walks of life to unite together as one under the banner of various groups twice yearly, to produce beautiful Costumes music and dance. Surely this is one street festival that the world would not want to miss, as attested to by The Bahamas recent participation in the Smithsonian Institution's Exhibit.

5. HISTORY OF JUNKANOO
Junkanoo is a Bahamian cultural expression, which has been derived from our African ancestry.

6. JUNKANOO GROUPS SAXONS VALLEY BOYS ROOTS ONE FAMILY COLORS
MUSIC MAKERS
JUST TO NAME A FEW

7. FOODS

8. BAHAMIAN FOODS INGREDIENTS FOR CONCH FRITTERS Fritters:
1 quart oil for frying
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
ground cayenne pepper to taste
seasoned salt to taste
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup chopped conch meat
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped

9. DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING CONCH FRITTERS
Heat the oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
In a bowl, mix the flour, egg, and milk. Season with cayenne pepper, seasoned salt, salt, and pepper. Mix in the conch meat, onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic.
Drop the batter by rounded tablespoons into the hot oil, and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
In a bowl, mix the ketchup, lime juice, mayonnaise, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Serve dipping sauce on the side with the fritters.

10. BAHAMIAN CRAFT

11. BAHAMIAN ARTIST/MUSICIAN
EDDIE MINNIS

12. BAHAMIAN ARTIST
Chan Pratt

13. TYPES OF STRAW CRAFTS

14. WHAT IS STRAW CRAFT?
Bahamian straw workers typically start their craft at an early age, learning at the feet of their mothers and grandmothers. Take a close look at a straw product – or plait, as it is known in The Bahamas – and you will begin to understand the intricacies of the weaves that carry names such as peas ‘n rice, Bahama Mama, Jacob’s ladder, sour sop, pineapple and fish pot.
The straw starts as a green leaf hand-picked from a silver top tree and then stripped of its rough sides before it can be plaited. It is a time-consuming process.
The more involved plaits, such as pineapple, can cost a straw worker $60 per 20 yard length.
 Sisal, which comes from the sisal plant and has a twine-like texture, is even more time consuming to prepare. It is cut, stripped and soaked in sea water for two weeks or longer, then beaten out, scraped and cleaned. The end result: a one-of-a-kind product that is 100% Bahamian except for the lining and the thread.