Public holidays are few, but there are many other local
celebrations that fill the year.
New Year’s Day.
January 1. On New Year’s Eve, many people will relax on the beach with
friends and family. Towards
evening is when everyone gathers together and massive parties start. Nightclubs,
pubs, bars, and hotels become packed with people drinking and music and dancing
fills the streets. During this time is the famous Junkanoo festival. The
festival, most widely thought to be named after John Canoe, an African tribal
leader who demanded that they be allowed to celebrate with his people, even as
slaves. There are several other theories as to the etymology of the name. The
festival itself and the costumes are a celebration of being set free. (We’ll
come back to junkanoo in more detail when we get to music and dance.) There’s
also a famous regatta that takes place on Montago Bay.
Good Friday.
Varies. The vast majority of Bahamians belong to some denomination of
Christianity, so many churches will hold services in the evening for Good
Friday. Many people will eat fish for their main meal during the day.
Easter. Varies.
Many churches will gather for sunrise services on the beach or other outside
venue. People wear their best clothes, and like the British or many older African
Americans, elaborate hats are the must-have for the older women of the
congregation. Various kinds of seafood and a plethora of other dishes and
desserts are commonly eaten during this time.
Easter Monday.
Varies. Traditionally, Easter Monday marks the beginning of the Beach
Picnic season. The fact that there’s a Beach Picnic season already scores
points in my book.
Whit Monday. Varies. This day marks the beginning of
Pentecost, follows 50 days after Easter.
Labor Day. May
4. While most people enjoy the beaches and have picnics, there are a series of
parades featuring local businesses and labor organizations, some junkanoo bands
will come out, and the parade ends with a gathering to listen to speeches from
some of the key government and labor organization members.
Independence Day. July 10. We just passed their Independence Day less than a week ago.
This day marks The Bahamas’ independence from Great Britain in 1973. There are
a lot of parades and a general party feel on all of the islands. There will
also be junkanoo parades during this time as well.
Emancipation Day. August 2. This is a day that celebrates the emancipation of the
slaves. For The Bahamas, emancipation came about three decades earlier than the
United States: Great Britain emancipated its slaves in The Bahamas in 1834.
Most of the former slaves stayed and many eventually became successful
landowners.
Discovery Day/Columbus Day. October 11. This commemorates
when Christopher Columbus landed on The Bahamas. The natives called it
Guanahani, but it’s still contested as to which island it is exactly.
Christmas Day. December 25. Bahamians celebrate Christmas in
much of the same way that many of Christian nations celebrate it, with
Christmas dinners, spending time with family and Christmas parties and such.
One tradition that is unique to the Bahamas is that there are junkanoo parades
that people will flock to.
Up next: Art and Literature
Resources:
Wikipedia: “Public Holidays” “Junkanoo” “Discovery Day”
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day: http://www.bahamasb2b.com/community/calendar.html
Independence Day: http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/bahama-indep.htm
Independence Day: http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Bahamas-celebration-of-Independence-Day-2291091.php
Emancipation Day: http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/bahama-indep.htm
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