Junkanoo

The most authentic aspect of Bahamian culture is Junkanoo. Locals can express themselves during celebrations through boisterous music, energetic dancing, happy singing, and vibrant art. One of the three original Indigenous music and dance genres, along with Goombay and Rake 'n' Scrape, it also includes these two other genres. Goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles, and "rushin'" to the music are all hallmarks of a Junkanoo celebration and represent the heartbeat of the country. Many works of art and music in The Bahamas today bear historical imprints of the African, Arawakan, and Christian cultures.

Junkanoo is the most traditional and distinctive aspect of Bahamian culture. It is a style of music and dance that was created in The Bahamas when slavery still existed. It has stayed surprisingly constant over the years and is a celebratory parade filled with vibrant costumes, goatskin drums, ringing cowbells, whistles, and horns. Rushing is a low, rhythmic dance that the parade moves through.

It is customary for the festivities to start early on Boxing Day (26 December) and end at sunrise on New Year's Day. In a fierce competition that embodies the enthusiasm of all Bahamians at this particularly unique time of the year, the paraders "rush" in organized groups and are judged on costume theme and performance.