Junkanoo Parade

Junkanoo are annual parades held on Boxing Day (December 26) and/or New Year's Day depending on the specific island. In Nassau, Junkanoo is held on both days plus Independence Day (July 10).

The celebration dates back to the days of slavery when slave owners, including one named John Canoe (which was corrupted into Junkanoo), gave their slaves these holidays off.

The parades consist of costumes similar to those worn in Carnivals plus drumming on everything from goat skin drums to cowbells. The costumes are so elaborate that when one parade is over, participants start working on those for the following year.

In Nassau dozens of groups compete which entails the work of hundreds of people. Costumes are made of