| If you are planning to travel to the Bahamas in late | | | | The stories that tell the origins of the Junkanoo |
| December or early January, there is something that | | | | festival are many. The most widely accepted version |
| you simply have to see. Every year on December | | | | gives credit to an African prince and slave trader by |
| 26th and New Year's Day, the Junkanoo festival gets | | | | the name of John Canoe. It is said that in the 17th |
| underway in many towns across the Bahamas. The | | | | century while he had control of Fort Brandenbury, |
| largest Junkanoo celebration takes place in Nassau, | | | | the Dutch and English feared him. The African slaves |
| the capital. So book your all inclusive Bahamas | | | | viewed him as a hero and idolized him. When the |
| vacation now and get ready to party! | | | | slaves were brought to the Bahamas, they continued |
| Junkanoo is a Bahamian parade that features the | | | | to worship him. The slaves were allowed three days |
| local music and costumes. This festival has been | | | | off each year, January 1st, December 25th and |
| compared to Mardi Gras with the way that everyone | | | | December 26th. This is why Junkanoo takes place on |
| celebrates with much enthusiasm. The residents of | | | | those particular two days. In 1938, December 26th |
| the island come together as one large group to | | | | was declared a public holiday and became known as |
| celebrate their freedom, their past and their culture. | | | | Boxing Day due to the boxing and exchanging of |
| Several larger groups compete for cash prizes each | | | | gifts. If you are visiting the Bahamas during this |
| year in their costumes made from cardboard | | | | exciting time of year, make sure that you bring |
| covered in tiny pieces of colorful crepe paper. The | | | | plenty of presents that you can open on Christmas |
| parade participants dance in the streets to the | | | | Day and on Boxing Day at your Bahamas vacation |
| sounds of cowbells. This parade usually begins with a | | | | rentals. |
| shotgun start at 2 a.m. on Boxing Day (December | | | | There is no doubting that Junkanoo is an exciting |
| 26th) and New Year's Day. The party continues until | | | | time to witness. At no other time of the year do the |
| about 9 a.m., when the results of the parade are | | | | people of the Bahamas come together to celebrate |
| declared in Rawson Square. Your all inclusive resorts | | | | as a whole. Experiencing Junkanoo is a once in a |
| Bahamas concierge will be able to point you in the | | | | lifetime experience that you will be talking about for |
| direction of the Square. | | | | years to come. |