“I’m just waiting for that moment when my weekend becomes a real-life Wyclef music video,”
I joked as I flew into Nassau, The Bahamas for the Junkanoo Carnival. Little did I know that I’d soon be playing drums with the legend himself, frolicking with locals and dancing in a native-style red, white, and black head-dress.
So… my weekend totally did become a real-life Wyclef music video.
I cannot explain the excitement of the experience. It was better than I can share in words or photos. If you haven’t added this to your world culture or party bucket lists, allow me to share a few reasons why you might love the Junkanoo too.
At a glance, what is the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival?
Held from April to May, the festivities kick off in the Grand Bahama and continue to Nassau. With activities including Youth Culture Fest, Da Cultural Village, Music Masters, and Road Fever, families and party-goers come to life in the Bahamas.
My own experience: the weekend in Nassau — a three-day concert series of Caribbean musicians, food and drink. On Saturday, Bahamians from across the islands break up into competitive teams with vibrant, feather and rhinestone costumes. Separately, as cohorts, they march and dance for a five mile display of their squad’s uniform.
Junkanoo Carnival in the Bahamas is a celebration of music and freedom.
While the different teams compete for the title of BEST GROUP in Road Fever — united — the participants of Junkanoo Carnival celebrate identity and acceptance. Women and men of all shapes and sizes parade their beautiful bodies at every height, weight, and age. Costume-makers spend about four and a half months making costumes. Bahamians long-await the opportunity to strip down, and strap into carefully crafted mobile artwork.
While they compete for 'Best Costume,' Bahamians are united in celebrating culture & acceptance.Click To Tweet
Nassau, Bahamas
Junkanoo Group
Junkanoo Carnival is a celebration of culture and tradition in an economy driven by tourism.
Tourism makes up for 70% of the economy in the Bahamas. So as you sip on that Sky Juice and take a walk on the turquoise and teal sunset beach, you can rest assured that you’re contributing to a much greater picture.
A wildly local and off-the-beaten path event, Junkanoo is clearly for Bahamian people (and all of us who love them).
Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is a time and space to showcase and appreciate Bahamian tradition and history.Click To Tweethttps://www.instagram.com/p/BFXspgiOs90/
How do you watch or be a part of the Nassau Junkanoo Carnival?
Did you see Wyclef on my Snapchat?
Snapchat Username: TravelBreak
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Absolutely awesome! We are so happy you had a great time…we look forward to your visits to The Bahamas – again and again!
Yes please! It’s one of my favorite places now!
Can’t believe I’ve never heard this! Looks like such a great time… and I’ll admit, I’m jealous about Wyclef ;)
Haha thanks for reading! Not going to lie, it was unreal! And I didn’t know about it either.