Celebrations in the Bahamas

 Do you love having a good time celebrating, dancing, and eating great food? Well you must experience a true Caribbean Carnival. As they say, “Its better in the Bahamas” and Bahamians sure know how to party! 

One of the most popular carnivals is Junkanoo, a parade in Nassau, and is a huge part of Bahamian culture. This carnival dates to the 1700s and was a celebration slaves created when they were given a break around the Christmas Holiday. They created a tradition of making mask and costumes out of crepe paper, feathers and cardboard. They also made homemade instruments and flood the streets to dance, celebrate, listen to music and showcase their unique, colorful and vibrant outfits they created. This carnival is celebrated annually on Boxing Day (December 26th) and New Year's. This celebration is so important to the Bahamian people because it’s a celebration of freedom from being captive.  

 

If you love seafood as much as I do, the All Andros Crab Festival will be heaven on earth to you. On the second weekend of June, there are crabs cooked over 101 ways on Andros Island in the Bahamas. Peters states, “This celebration of large-land crabs fills up Queen’s Park in Fresh Creek (about two miles from Andros Town Airport, which is a quick 15-minute air hop from Nassau) with over 50 colorful food booths and plenty of jubilant musical acts. Taste local dishes like crab soup or crab and dough, learn all about the life cycle of the land crabs, and check out the cooking competition, as Bahamian chefs battle it out for the title of best crab dish”. I bet it’s so fresh coming straight from the Atlantic Ocean!

  

Did you know the Bahamas celebrates cinema? There is a annual showcase of cinema called The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). A quote from Peters states, ”Since 2004, BIFF celebrates cinema with a weeklong showcase of movies and short films from around the world. Usually held during the first week of December, the BIFF offers screenings, seminars, educational forums, and parties, all designed to bring the culture of cinema to Nassau and beyond”. This quote gives the history and importance of BIFF. Even Hollywood stars are interested in this festival and many have come including Johnny Depp and Sean Connery who also has a home in the Bahamas. What star wouldn’t want to mix business with pleasure enjoying the films while at a beautiful travel destination? 
  

 “Guide to Bahamas International Film Festival 2017.” Nassau Paradise Island, 9 Jan. 2020, www.nassauparadiseisland.com/guide-bahamas-international-film-festival-2017.

“All Andros Crab Fest.” Buying from the Bahamas, 20 Mar. 2017, www.bahamastradeinfo.gov.bs/buy/event/andros-crab-fest/.

“Bahamas International Film Festival.” Bahamas Tours, 2 Sept. 2014, www.bahamastourcenter.com/bahamas-international-film-festival/.

“Junkanoo: How to Experience the Bahamas Carnival.” Bahamas Air Tours, 8 May 2018, www.bahamasairtours.com/junkanoo-bahamas-carnival/.

Media, ShermansTravel. “The Top 5 Festivals in the Bahamas.” ShermansTravel, www.shermanstravel.com/advice/the-top-5-festivals-in-the-bahamas/.

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