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Homework Help: Social Studies: World Issues: Should Bahamian Citizens pay to see Junkanoo?
by Deannka Bethel
Answer: - I think that Bahamian Citizens should not pay to see Junkanoo because it is a Bahamian Culture, a national festival of sound and color. Its rhythm is played with cowbells, goat skin drums, whistles and brass instruments. Its costumes are colorful and unique with many different sizes and shapes. This bi-annual event takes place on Bay Street of New Providence and on some Family Islands. There are different types of Junkanoo held in The Bahamas that you must pay for. Except if you watch it on television. They are Junior Junkanoo, Boxing Day Junkanoo and New Year’s Day Junkanoo.
Junkanoo should also be free because of it origin. It first began in West Africa when John Canoe, an African tribal chief demanded the right to celebrate with his people even after being brought to the West Indies in slavery. During that time Christmas was the greatest time for celebration in The Bahamas, and Junkanoo was the highlight. This still remains today. In the past, Junkanoo was a spontaneous event, and less commercialized. The original Junkanoo Parade consisted of simple costumes of cloth, fringed paper and facial painting. There was also the use of sea sponges and other natural materials such as, leaves, on a type of netting worn over the body. The basic instruments that were used still remain the same. However, some home-made instruments such as conch shell horns and poinciana pods have been replaced by modern instruments. Today, the addition of brass instruments, create the melody of the music.
Another reason is because of its history. Junkanoo, named after the West African John Canoe, originated in the Bahamas around the 17th century. Slaves with faces hidden under a flour paste, celebrated on Boxing Day. Later flour paste was replaced by wire masks held on a stick. Junkanooers blew bugles and horns, and beat on goatskin drums. In the late 20's when sponging was big business in the Bahamas many Junkanooers covered themselves totally in sea sponges! By the mid-thirties, the entire costume was fringed. Prizes were awarded, and group participation began. Soon, the costumes were fringed, not in cloth, by newspaper, then, multi-colored crepe paper. It wasn't until the sixties that women participated in Junkanoo!
Today Junkanoo is highly revered. From June or July to starting at three in the morning on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, revelers parade, or 'rush' on Bay Street in Nassau, and in some of the Family Islands, the sweet sound of Junkanoo echo through the air.
In conclusion, because of the history, the origin and the culture of the Bahamian Festival Junkanoo, I think that it should be a free event to all Bahamians. So that we can enjoy our own Bahamian Culture.
Homework Help: Social Studies: World Issues
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