All About Junkanoo

Nothing embodies the spirit of celebration quite like Bahamian culture. Dubbed the “Islands of Song”, The Bahamas is home to one of the Caribbean’s most iconic carnivals: a captivating kaleidoscope of colour and sound known as Junkanoo. Nassau & Paradise Island’s biggest and most beloved festival, Junkanoo takes place in the early morning hours of Boxing Day (December 26th) and New Year’s Day. At the stroke of midnight, the community bursts forth in a dazzling showcase of traditional music and dance, along with vibrant colours, larger-than-life costumes, and an infectious spirit of unbridled jubilation.

Interested in experiencing this uniquely Bahamian celebration for yourself? Read on to learn more about the origins and traditions of Junkanoo, along with where and how you can join in all the island fun for yourself.

How Did Junkanoo Start?

Though the Junkanoo festival dates back hundreds of years, its exact origins remain the subject of much debate and speculation. Some say the festival was named in tribute to John Canoe, a Ghanaian tribal chief turned popular folk hero famed for his steadfast resistance to British colonial rule. Others suggest that the name derives from French gens inconnu or “unknown people” — a reference to the masquerade-style disguises donned by 18th-century revellers in the earliest Junkanoo parades.

The most widely accepted theory, however, traces its roots to the days of chattel slavery, when the celebration is said to have marked one of the few holidays from work granted to enslaved Africans during the year. Released temporarily from the demands of their labour, the community would gather together to sing, dance, don colourful disguises, and travel from house to house, sometimes on stilts. Whichever origin story you find most persuasive, one thing is certain — when it comes to unforgettable moments of celebration, it’s better in The Bahamas. Read full reference article.