Information for Caribbean Vacations in the Bahamas

Junkanoo is a street parade with music, which occurs in many towns across the Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day. The largest Junkanoo happens in Nassau, the capital.

Junkanoo groups "rush" from 2:00 AM until shortly after dawn, to the music of cowbells, in costumes made from cardboard covered in tiny shreds of colourful crepe paper competing for cash prizes.

Musical groups involved in the Nassau Junkanoo have included The Saxons, The Valley Boys, The Roots and One Family.



Bahamanian culture is a hybrid of African, European and indigenous forms. Perhaps its most famous export is a rhythmic form of music called junkanoo.  Bahamanian music has been declining throughout the 20th century, partially due to the influence of American culture and the proximity of TV and radio stations in Florida (which can be picked up in the Bahamas) as well as the arrival of musical forms like calypso, reggae and soca from Jamaica, Cuba and Trinidad, among other Caribbean islands.



Bahamians achieved self-government through a series of constitutional and political steps, attaining internal self-government in 1964 and full independence within the Commonwealth on July 10, 1973.

The Bahamas. Since Havana closed to American tourists in 1961, The Bahamas has developed into a major tourist resort and at the same time the establishment of Freeport as a free trade zone (1955) developed an off-shore financial services center with a reputation for a tolerant atmosphere.



For additional information, we also have a more local vacation rental site that is available for you to plan your next bahamas island travel itinerary - View Bahamas Vacation Resorts and Vacation Rentals