Various stories surround the origins of Junakanoo but the most popular legend links the festival to the story of John Canoe, an 18th century African prince and slave trader on the Gold Coast who was successful in defending Fort Brandenbury from the Dutch for nearly fifteen years.
He was eventually enslaved himself and brought to the West Indies, but even as a slave he remained a leader of his people and demanded that they have the right to celebrate during Christmas.
Early History of Junkanoo
Slaves in The Bahamas were given three days off to celebrate-Christmas Day, the day after Christmas (known as Boxing Day) and New Year’s Day. During this time, they celebrated with dancing and drumming as well as the exchange of gifts and food. Slavery was abolished in The Bahamas in 1838.
During pre-emancipation Junkanoo celebrations and up until the 1950’s, Junkanoo musicians, called John Canoes, wore masks that concealed their identities. This practice faded away as Junkanoo became more a celebration of Bahamian culture and pride, especially in the years leading up to independence from Great Britain in 1973.
Music of Junkanoo
There are six sources of music in a Junkanoo parade:
- Drum-made from sheep or goat skin stretched over wooden or metallic oil barrels. They are sometimes called Goombay drums and there is a Bahamian soft drink called Goombay or Junkanoo Punch.
- Cowbells-usually played in pairs but in modern times, they are fashioned so that three, four or even five bells can be played on one hand. The cowbells make a unique “kalik, kalik” sound, and there is a Bahamian beer of the same name.
- Horn-the conch shell, which comes from a staple of Bahamian cuisine, foghorns, bicycle horns and bronze bugles.
- Scrapers-made from various objects, such as washboards and spoons, bottles, or nails.
- Brass-in 1976, Junkanoo groups began adding brass sections to their musical arrangements. These brass sections add a variety to the music, playing well-known pop music, themes from television shows, and even hymns.
Costumes-Works of Art
Costumes are such an important part of the Junkanoo celebration that their designs are planned months in advance. In order for a group to be allowed to participate, their costumes must follow strict standards. According to the judging standards of the National Junkanoo Association, no more than six members of a group may have costumes made from cloth.
Designs are cut out from cardboard or Styrofoam and pieced together with contact cement, aluminum rods, and tire wire. Fringe paper is carefully glued on and the costume is elaborately decorated with beads, stones, and glitter. Costumes can become very heavy, weighing more than 200 pounds, but competition rules state that the lead costume must be carried by one person alone and without the aid of wheels or other devices to hold it up.
Choreography
During early Junkanoo festivals, dancing consisted mainly of freestyle moves that individual dancers made up as they went along. In the 1950’s Richard Dean introduced a dance called “The Shuffle” to the celebration. Percy Vola, leader of one the most famous Junkanoo groups, The Valley Boys, expanded on this in the 1960’s and The Shuffle remains one of the most popular dance steps.
In the 1980’s groups began hiring choreographers to plan elaborate dance routines and this practice continues today.
Junkanoo Today
There are two main Junkanoo parades in The Bahamas, one on December 26 and one on New Year’s Day. The largest celebration is in the capital of Nassau on the island of New Providence, where Junkanoo groups “rush” down Bay Street. Celebrations are also held in some of the other Family Islands, and there is a Junior Junkanoo Parade held in December on Bay Street.
The celebration begins at about 1 a.m. and runs until 9 a.m., at which time awards are given in the categories of Music, Dance, and Costumes. The most important prize is the highly coveted Best Junkanoo Group.
Some of the most famous and largest Junkanoo groups include The Valley Boys, The Saxons, The Roots, One Family and the Music Makers.
Smaller Junkanoo celebrations are also held in parts of Florida and South Carolina, where there are sizable numbers of people of Bahamian ancestry.
References:
The Western Journal of Black Studies, 2003
The Official Website of The Bahamas
Alana Tutwiler - Alana Tutwiler is a Contributing Writer for Suite101.com. She has a bachelor's degree in Special Education from the University of North ...
