Junkanoo is a celebration of life and the strength and spirit of the people of The Bahamas. It is the most prominent national cultural celebration in the Bahamas. Enslaved Africans brought it over 200 years ago to the Bahamas.
In The Bahamas, Junkanoo serves as a creative outlet for community expression and is a phenomenon inherent to the local culture. Most of it can be seen in parades on several Bahamian islands that retain many African elements but give them a uniquely Bahamian flair. The Junkanoo tradition is carried out in a variety of ways by Bahamians as costume builders, craftsmen, performers, and artisans. Veterans and senior members of Junkanoo groups pass on traditional knowledge in their 'shacks' by example and experience, passing on their expertise in performance, music, and costume. Furthermore, they are passed on through family and community connections. Schools are involved in the Junior Junkanoo Programme.
Throughout the years, Junkanoo has evolved into the quintessential element of Bahamian culture. An event that celebrates creativity, imagination, and vision. The practice and leadership of Junkanoo are now open to all people, regardless of their ethnicity or gender, even though historically it was male-dominated. By inscription of Junkanoo on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Junkanoo will gain international visibility and awareness. Through the Inscription, a new sense of pride will emerge and detailed discussions will be held concerning Junkanoo's potential to improve education, economics, and everyday life, the public, and private sectors will be encouraged to invest heavily in Junkanoo communities given its tourism potential. The inscription will distinguish Junkanoo from other regional festivals and indicate how Bahamian history has contributed to some of our modern cultural expressions diverging from the rest of the region.
The Bahamas government established a National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) in 1988 to ensure that Junkanoo was safeguarded. The NJC is responsible for advising the Minister on all matters pertaining to Junkanoo, including Junior Junkanoo. Due to the Ministry's efforts, all significant islands now hold annual Senior and Junior Junkanoo parades. Junkanoo Secretariat was established in 1992 with the sole mission of transmitting, promoting, and enhancing Junkanoo. Also that year, the Ministry launched the National Junkanoo Expo. The Ministry has an annual Junkanoo summer program during the months' schools are closed every year. Furthermore, the Division of Culture is charged with researching and documenting Junkanoo through Junkanoo conclaves and the Resource Center of the Division of Culture. |Subject=Art, Craftsmanship and Practices, dance, Entertainment and Recreation, Music |Country=Bahamas |SDG=(05) Gender Equality, (08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (10) Reduced Inequalities, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities }}