| Junkanoo is a famous event and celebration that has | | | | The music may not sound exactly the same as it |
| made Bahamas music popular. This celebration takes | | | | used to, but you will still enjoy the sounds. Even |
| place on December 26th and January 1st. The event | | | | when they made their own drums not all the drums |
| begins in the morning with a parade. The parade has | | | | were made out of the same thing. Instruments were |
| people wearing colorful costumes, and dancing to | | | | home made and did not always sound the same. A |
| Bahamas music. This music is also gaining popularity in | | | | violin was made out of a washtub and a string with a |
| the United States and Japan due to groups such as | | | | stick as a bow. You might have seen people using |
| the Baha Men, Ronnie Butler, and Kirdland Bodie.The | | | | metal files to scrape across a saw as well. You see, |
| Junkanoo celebration has influence and promoted | | | | even then there were different variations of |
| Bahamas music. Although this music is very popular | | | | instruments used to make this music.The Bahamas |
| for the celebration, it is loosing its recognition due to | | | | music decrease in popularity has also not affected |
| American influence. The Bahamas are so close to | | | | the Junkanoo celebration. If you go to a Junkanoo |
| Florida that they can pick up American radio and | | | | celebration you will still be able to enjoy the Bahamas |
| television stations. This and the introduction of music | | | | music. The music is played loud and proud for all who |
| such as reggae, soca, and calypso are to blame for | | | | are there to enjoy. You will hear the great Bahamas |
| the decreasing interest in Bahama music.This | | | | music, and see the beautiful costumes and dancers. |
| decrease in interest does not discourage the | | | | The people who are involved in the celebration really |
| Bahamas music bands. They used to use goatskin | | | | enjoy what they do and love sharing it with tourists. |
| drums and saws to make their music. The goatskin | | | | They might even get you involved. They do a little |
| was used to make a rolling sound. Today the rake | | | | dance step that is two steps forward, and one step |
| and scrape bands use other instruments such as | | | | back. It is a lot of fun to get involved in all the |
| saxophones, and electric guitars. Although the type | | | | festivities they have to offer. You are sure to enjoy |
| of instruments has changed, the idea is still the same. | | | | yourself from the start of the celebration in the |
| It doesn't matter what instruments you use to make | | | | morning until it ends at dusk.Gregg Hall is an author |
| the music, as long as you are still making the music. | | | | living in Navarre Florida. |