1. A Bahamian Celebration
JUNKANOO
A Bahamian Celebration

3. Origin of Junkanoo might have come from “John Canoe”
African Slave Trader in the 17th Century
OR the Yoruba word gensinconnu meaning “a person wearing a mask”
Slaves not allowed much freedom
Hide in bushes while dancing and singing
Used costumes made from leaves and paint
Festival represents freedom from slavery

4. Where?
originated in
Nassau
(Also the largest)
Bay Street

5. When? Boxing Day (December 26) New Years Day
Recently during summer in Grand Bahamas
Midnight until right after dawn

7. What?
A parade and showcase for music and costumes to be judge for prizes
More elaborate the better!
Cardboard, crepe paper, beads, satin, plastic jewels are popular materials used
There’s a theme
Competing groups which can have up to 500 members! (ed: Saxons, Pigs, Valley Boys)

9. The Competition Best costume, Best music, best floats
Judged in categories
A (or Major) Category ( Saxons, Valley Boys)
B Category (One Love Soldiers)
Individual Category
Fun Groups (The Pigs, Sting and Barrabas)

10. Fun Facts
Featured in the James Bond film Thunderball, Jaws the Revenge and After the Sunset.
Winning Junkanoo costumes are placed in the Junkanoo Museum
Members choose a theme and keep it a secret until the day of Junkanoo
Use same methods for music with drums as the slaves did when the festival originated