junkanoo

Junkanoo is a Bahamian street festival featuring elaborate costumes, music, and dancing. It is most closely associated with the Bahamas, especially Nassau, and is traditionally held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day, with additional events in the days around those holidays.

Origins of Junkanoo are debated and reflect African, Caribbean, and European influences from the colonial era. The name is often linked to “John Canoe” figures in enslaved communities, though exact origins are uncertain. Over time, informal processions evolved into organized groups that prepare costumes, music, and routines for public parades.

Music and performance lie at the heart of Junkanoo. Groups fashion costumes from crepe paper, cardboard, beads, and feathers, creating helmets and large, colorful outfits. The musical component relies on percussion, including bass drums, snare drums, and rattles or shakers, sometimes with whistles or horns to add texture. Dancers perform choreographed routines to call-and-response rhythms and chants, often highlighting tight, synchronized movements.

Today Junkanoo is a major cultural event in the Bahamas, with prominent parades in Nassau and on other islands. It is widely regarded as a symbol of national identity and community pride. Groups compete for recognition in categories such as music, costume design, and overall presentation, and the festival supports street performances, exhibitions, and family and community gatherings throughout the season.