Info For Yous The Bahamas: Islands Of Shallow H2o Alongside Beautiful Westward African, Akan-Fante Junkanoo Cultural Together With Heritage Festival
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas or the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is an archipelagic land comprising
exactly about 700 islands, rocks (islets), together with cays, roofing almost 100,000 foursquare miles inward the western Atlantic Ocean, northward of Republic of Cuba together with the Dominican Republic together with Republic of Haiti (Hispaniola); northwest of the Turks together with Caicos Islands; southeast of the U.S. province of Florida together with eastward of the Florida Keys.
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE, is a Bahamian-American actor, cinema director, author together with diplomat. In 1964, Poitier became the showtime dark soul to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, for his occupation inward Lilies of the Field.
After the American War of Independence, thousands of American Loyalists, taking their enslaved Africans, moved to the Bahamas, where the Americans prepare a plantation economy. After Britain abolished the international slave merchandise inward 1807, the Royal Navy resettled many costless Africans liberated from illegal slave ships inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas during the 19th century. Hundreds of American slaves together with Black Seminoles escaped to the islands from Florida, together with nearly 500 were freed from American merchant ships inward the domestic merchandise past times the Royal Navy. Slavery inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas was abolished inward 1834. Today the descendants of slaves together with costless Africans shape the bulk of the population; issues related to the slavery years are portion of society. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm inward 1973, retaining Queen Elizabeth II every bit its monarch.
As at 2014, the Bahamas has an estimated population of 382,825, an increment from 2013`s approximate of 380,000. Out of this total population, about 85% are dark Africans of West African ancestry with the Europeans constituting 12%, whilst Asians together with Latin Americans brand upward the remaining 3%. Black-Bahamians are non a racially exclusive group, in that location are Black Bahamians who withdraw hold European ancestry but seat only every bit black.
.Costumed dancers celebrate the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival-like celebration inward Nassau, Bahamas. Courtesy www.demotix.com
When it comes to the history of pop pirate genre inward the world, The Commonwealth of the Bahamas was known to live the rubber Haven for renowned pirates. The waters surrounding Grand Bahama Island were treacherous together with peculiarly thence inward the days of the sailing ship. Because it was hard to navigate the waters inward the area, it was a favorite haven for pirates. Pirates were especially plentiful inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward the 17th century. After 1718 the pirates were subdued past times Royal Governor Woodes Rodgers—himself a old pirate. Among the to a greater extent than notable pirates who frequented the waters together with islands of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas were Steve Bonner, Anne Bonney, Joseph Burgess, Thomas Carter, William Catt, Arthur Davis, Benjamin Horngold, Captain William Kidd, Henry Morgan, Captain Jack Rackham (aka Calico Jack), Woodes Rodgers, Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard), Roger (Charles) Vane, together with George Watling (Defoe together with Johnson 1724; Stark 1891; Woodbury together with Rogers 1951; Storr 2004; Commonwealth of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism 2007). Archaeological report of pirates together with their settlements is a pop plain of report (Skrowronek together with Ewen 2006).
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has the 3rd highest per capita income(richest country) inward the western hemisphere (after the USA together with Canada). Tourism is the primary economical activity, accounting for c.65% of the gross domestic production (GDP). The government’s electrical flow economical thrust is to position an anchor resort on each of the major Family Islands which volition withdraw hold huge implications for the biodiversity of these otherwise relatively untouched islands. Offshore finance is the nation’s instant largest industry, accounting for c.15% of GDP.
New Years Junkanoo Festival inward Nassau Bahamas. Courtesy www.demotix.com
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas withdraw hold a heady combination – paradise islands, shimmering warm seas, perfect weather condition together with every bit many fun types of fishing. When it comes to Commonwealth of the Bahamas fishing, stand upward past times for some of the best sport angling on Earth. In fact celebrities such every bit Michael Keaton, Laurence Fishburne together with author John Grisham are fans of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas angling together with withdraw hold frequented Commonwealth of the Bahamas fabulous angling areas since fourth dimension immemorial. Author Ernest Hemingway lived on Bimini for several seasons inward the 1930s, drawn past times the incredible angling available inward the Gulf Stream - that legendary “river” of warm H2O that rushes northward past times The Bahamas. Fishing is ever-popular around the islands, with authors, celebrities, together with everyone inward between!
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas beach
In terms of diving, Bahamas "is your Heaven on Earth." Its diving playgrounds comprises warm seas of mesmerizing indigo, soft flour-white sand together with ludicrously colourful coral reefs.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas also withdraw hold wonderful beaches that are beyond perfection. The beaches actually are those mirages of powdery white sand contrasting fantastically with the indigo sea, together with leaning palms rustling inward the cooling ‘trade’ breeze. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are blessed with non one, but 2 types of sandy paradise. Most are the secluded, untouched sort of Commonwealth of the Bahamas beach, 'where your footprints experience similar the only ones to withdraw hold ever graced it; but nosotros also withdraw hold the type of beach that’s stunningly beautiful yet also has activities galore at your sun-kissed arm’s reach."
The famous Cable Beach on Nassau, inward the northward of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is known for an effortlessly buzzing beach life of chilled beach bars together with oodles of H2O sports. In fact, inward exactly 1 of many picture-perfect Commonwealth of the Bahamas beaches inward the part y'all tin can live endlessly entertained past times windsurfing, parasailing, fishing, wake-boarding, fine dining…"
In terms of gross domestic production per capita, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 1 of the richest countries inward the Americas (following the U.S. together with Canada)
Bahamas Junkanoo Festival
Bahamian civilisation is a hybrid of African, European, together with other cultures. While English linguistic communication is the official linguistic communication of the Bahamas, a vast bulk of the population speaks Bahamian Dialect. In Bahamian dialect, some African (Akan, Kongo, Yoruba, Fulani etc) words together with expressions withdraw hold been retained. Various West African peoples contributed musical instruments together with styles, forms of dance, religious concepts, folktales, theater unit of measurement patterns, together with linguistic influences. In terms of folktales, West African Akan Anansi or Anancy (spider) story is ever-popular amidst the Bahamians exactly similar all the other Caribbean Area nations.
Musicians warm upward earlier taking portion celebrating the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival similar celebration inward Nassau, Bahamas.Courtesy www.demotix.com
The Akan presence, especially that of the coastal Akan Fante people is really visible together with is popularized inward a shape of Junkanoo festival. Junkanoo is the corruption of the call of a Fante adult man called John Kweenu (John Quainoo) whom the whose call became John Connu amidst the Bahamians. John Connu (Quainoo), a headman or Fante leader, brought that Fante traditional zombie-like costume wears they position upward inward every Fante festival to the New World. "Junkanoo" is a Mardi Gras-like celebration that is held on several secular holidays. The celebrations combine music, costume, dance, revelry, pride inward the African cultural heritage, recognition of slave resistance to authority, together with the unity of the people. Junkanoo "gangs" compete for prestige together with cash prizes. Tourism officials withdraw hold transformed these ceremonies into events that pull thousands of visitors. Organizers, scholars, together with participants refer to Junkanoo every bit a social establishment that binds the people to each other together with to their past.
Jonkanoo celebration inward Island of Abaco, The Bahamas
Geography together with Climate
The Commonwealth of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an archipelago of c.700 islands together with c.2000 cays together with rocks extending over 1100 km inward length. The archipelago, which lies northward together with eastward of Cuba, runs from eastward of the southern goal of Florida (USA), southeast until it terminates at the Turks together with Caicos Islands (to the UK) which are geologically a continuation of the islands.
The closest isle to the U.S. is Bimini, which is also known every bit the gateway to the Bahamas. The province lies betwixt latitudes 20° together with 28°N, together with longitudes 72° together with 80°W together with is non geographically located inward the Caribbean, despite the mutual belief that it is.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are exposed parts of a limestone platform that is divided into several shallow banks. Little Bahama Bank is located along the northern coasts of Grand Bahama together with encompasses all of Abaco together with its North Atlantic offshore rocks together with cays. The Great Bahama Bank (which is rich inward marine life) stretches from northward of the Biminis together with Berry Islands, southward to hug the southern shoreline of New Providence together with the western shores of Andros, Eleuthera, Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island together with the Ragged Islands. The Cay Sal Bank (which is biologically impoverished) is located at the extreme western bounding main border of The Bahamas, really closed to Cuba.
The islands of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are depression together with apartment with ridges that usually ascent to no to a greater extent than than 15–20 m. However, in that location are acuate slopes nether water, betwixt together with within the convoluted banks. The Tongue of the Ocean is a 30-km broad trench betwixt New Providence together with Andros which drops to depths of 2000 m. The islands withdraw hold no rivers or streams together with the soil is fertile but thin, together with often lodged inward shallows together with “banana holes” within the harsh limestone rock. H5N1 freshwater lens exists closed to the surface, resting on the underlying salt-water.
bahamas beaches. Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort together with Offshore Island Nassau.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are often divided, ecologically, into 3 regions: Northern Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Grand Bahama, Biminis, Berry Islands, Abacos, North Andros, together with New Providence) where all the larger islands are covered primarily past times Caribbean Area pino (Pinus caribaea) woodland (with a broadleaf shrub together with palm understorey), although much of this woodland was logged inward the mid-twentieth century; Central Commonwealth of the Bahamas (South Andros, Eleuthera, Cat Island, the Exumas, Ragged Islands, Long Island, Rum Cay, Conception Island together with San Salvador), inward which the islands are covered primarily inward broadleaf “coppice”- a dense, depression semi-evergreen forest; together with Southern Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Crooked Island, Acklins Island, Samana Cay, Mayaguana, Little together with Great Inagua), where the islands are drier together with back upward dry out shrubland. New Providence, inward spite of beingness 1 of the smaller islands, is habitation to c.69% of the Bahamian population together with the nation’s capital. Grand Bahama is instant only to New Providence inward terms of development, together with it supports 16% of the population. It is also habitation to the longest underwater cave arrangement inward the world.
Relaxing on the beach - Great Exuma, Bahamas: Beach chairs overlook the turquoise waters off the coast of Great Exuma isle inward the Bahamas.
The residue of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas islands are called the “Family Islands” which are sparsely populated together with retain their natural beauty. Of these Family Islands, Great together with Little Abaco (and its cays) are considered “the sailing working capital alphabetic lineament of the world”, together with the islands withdraw hold a booming tourist trade.
Andros is the largest isle inward the Bahamas, with extensive creeks, interlacing channels, bays, bights together with inlets. It is also habitation to many blueish holes together with every bit a outcome is renowned for its cave-diving.
Inagua is the southernmost isle inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas with the nation’s only Ramsar site—Inagua National Park—which is habitation to over 40,000 Caribbean Area Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) together with many other waterbirds. The companionship Morton Commonwealth of the Bahamas Ltd. produces tabular array salt from the salinas at 1 goal of Lake Rosa (which occupies c.30% of the island). Morton is 1 of the largest tabular array salt producers inward North America.
The small town history of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is convoluted together with often dissimilar on each island. Plantations were established on some of the islands during the belatedly 18th century, together with largescale agriculture was trialed inward the mid-20th century when much of remaining virgin pino forests inward the Northern Commonwealth of the Bahamas were logged. Subsequent evolution (especially on New Providence together with Grand Bahama, but also locally on the other inhabited islands) has had a profound negative impact on the surrounding habitats. The climate of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, together with is moderated significantly past times the waters of the Gulf Stream which keeps the islands warmer than Florida inward the wintertime together with cooler inward the summer. Summer is the rainy flavor with June together with Oct the wettest months.
However, the Southern Commonwealth of the Bahamas only acquire one-half the rainfall that the northern Commonwealth of the Bahamas receive. The islands are oft hitting past times hurricanes; for example, Hurricane Andrew inward 1992, Floyd inward 1999, Frances together with Jeanne inward 2004, together with Wilma inward 2005. Low-pressure systems associated with tropical waves together with resulting inward potent winds together with drenching pelting are a regular characteristic inward the Bahamas.
Awesome fish inward the waters of Commonwealth of the Bahamas every bit captured past times a diver
Language
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas occupation English linguistic communication every bit their primary together with official language. Regional together with class-related Bahamian dialects which vary from "Standard English" amidst the urban elite to "Bahamian English" amidst the poorer people. There are finely nuanced differences inward vocabulary together with pronunciation from isle to island. "French Creole" is spoken past times immigrants from Haiti. Those immigrants often are able to converse inward heavily accented English, but few withdraw hold been formally educated inward the language.
Parade of Bahamian Queens: Miss International Bahamas- Carlrita Robinson, Miss Progress Commonwealth of the Bahamas – Lakindes Brown, Miss Teen Commonwealth of the Bahamas – Myah Walker, Miss Teen Universal Commonwealth of the Bahamas – Alexcia Sargeant together with Miss Teen international Commonwealth of the Bahamas - Tazhamoye Cummings.
Although English linguistic communication vocabulary serves every bit the main reason for Bahamian communication, African grammer rules together with structural tendencies are often applied during usage. This synthesis of linguistic forms has led many Bahamians to catch Bahamian dialect every bit an impure shape of Standard English, although English linguistic communication itself is non a pure homogenous linguistic communication but, instead, a conglomeration of dialects. Regardless, Bahamian dialect is widely considered to live “bad English” or “broken English.”
This is demonstrated inward the dissimilar pronunciations of words every bit Glinton-Meicholas (2000) illustrates:
"Consider the representative of the pronunciation of the vowel cluster inward the give-and-take ‘rain’ in
the Bahamas. Many Bahamians vocalism it every bit a long ‘a’. For others, the people of
Andros inward particular, ‘rain’ rhymes with ‘seen’, together with for Cat Islanders, it echoes
‘men’, except the vowel audio is of slightly longer duration (p. 2)."
Such differences inward speech communication patterns inevitably are reflected inward spelling patterns ofBahamian dialect. The words “give me,” for example, may live represented inward text every bit “gimme” or “gimma” the give-and-take “the” every bit “de” or “der,” together with “Lord” every bit “lud” (Munroe,2000). Variations inward the written spelling of dialect are possible due to the fact that no concluding ascendancy exists to stipulate how dialect words are to live spelt. This province of affairs is the representative for most of the Caribbean Area islands, such every bit Jamaica, where no touchstone spelling arrangement for the native Creole linguistic communication exists.
Let withdraw appear at how Bahamian dialect appear similar inward the skit written past times Ena Campbell (as cited in
Jack et al., 2003, p. 28-29) is included inward the text:
True, truthful Bahamian
Characters Andy, Deon
Setting Lunchtime inward the classroom
Andy Deon, les go exterior to eat nosotros tiffin over dere on da bench.
Deon No, I am staying within thence I tin can eat at my desk.
Andy You tink y'all habitation eh? Ain nuttin incorrect wit eatin outside.
Deon I am non used to eating outside.
Andy Boy y'all ain born on the isle eh? Note: (Island hither agency theater unit of measurement of islands inward Bahamas)
Deon No, together with I don’t speak the way they do either.
Andy So y'all don know bout eatin cassava, banana, Irish Gaelic patato together with dilly and
bread. See my lunch.
(Opens brownish newspaper bag.)
You wan some?
Deon What’s that, banana together with breadstuff for lunch?
Andy Yes, boy, y'all say y'all born hither but y'all ain no Bahamian if you
never eat dis.
Deon Yes I am Bahamian.
Andy You don fifty-fifty speak similar us.
Deon Because I speak properly.
Andy I could speak properly also y'all know, inward 2 language.
Deon Two languages?
Andy Yes, Bahamianese together with English.
Deon What’s Bahamianese?
Andy The same way me together with da res a der chirren does talk. Das we
language.
Deon I don’t understand.
Andy Yeh, y'all understand. Any true, truthful Bahamian does speak it all
the time. We only speak English linguistic communication when necessary.
Deon I telephone phone that bad speaking.
Andy Well, das how us Bahamian does speak together with it ain no bad.
Deon Why? You don’t know how to speak English
Andy Errybody does speak English, but only dey does also speak dere
native linguistic communication or dialect.
Deon Oh! So ‘le nosotros go’ is actually ‘let’s go’ together with ‘gimme’ is actually ‘give
me’!
Andy See, I know y'all could speak similar we, is portion a ya culture. Das how
other people over da worl know us. The way nosotros talk, da way we
trip the lite fantastic toe quadrille, nosotros Junkanoo together with enough more.
Deon I tink I ga start talking Bahamianese today together with speak English linguistic communication only
when necessary.
Andy Das right, at nowadays come upward les go play outside.
(Both boys acquire out singing ‘If ya born dere, ya born dere’.)
True Bahamian adult woman of Nassau
History
Historically, the Lucayan, a branch of the Arawakan-speaking Taino people were the showtime inhabitants of The Bahamas. These Lucayan-Tainos moved into the uninhabited southern Commonwealth of the Bahamas from Hispaniola together with Republic of Cuba around the 11th century AD, having migrated in that location from South America, Venezuela. Archaeological investigation Lucayan sites on Grand Bahama Island including cave burials together with opened upward air habitation sites withdraw hold shown their early on existence. In his 2007 published go entitled "Archaeological Testing of Freetown Cemetery together with Reconnaissance of Freetown, Grand Bahama Island," Daniel T. Elliott has this to say: "Regarding the Lucayan together with other aboriginal settlements on Grand Bahama Island, the next summary data is provided:
"Skulls, bones, together with artifacts withdraw hold been found inward the caves at the Lucayan National Park. In western Grand Bahama Island, Deadman’s Reef, a pop snorkeling reef, is habitation to 1 of the most of import local archaeological sites discovered to date. The Lucayan Indians were thought to live some of the early on dwellers of Grand Bahama Island—and a recent dig along the eroding beachfront of Deadman’s Reef helped to answer many questions."
Unearthed from the dig were many artifacts belonging to the Lucayan Indians, including hearths, beast bones, pottery pieces, together with shell beads. This uncovering was dated dorsum to around 1200 to 1300 A.D.
Along with this site, the bones of pre-Columbian Lucayans were found inward an underwater cave system, indicating an ancient burial site. Both of these discoveries helped to confirm that the Lucayans were amidst the showtime settlers of Grand Bahama Island (Bahamas.com 2007)."
The showtime Europeans to brand it inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas was Castilian explorer Christopher Columbus together with his crew of sailors. It is said that an estimated 30,000 Lucayan inhabited the Commonwealth of the Bahamas at the fourth dimension of Christopher Columbus' arrival inward 1492. Columbus' showtime landfall inward the New World was on an isle named San Salvador (known to the Lucayan every bit Guanahani), which some researchers believe to live present-day San Salvador Island (also known every bit Watling's Island), situated inward the southeastern Bahamas.
An alternative theory holds that Columbus landed to the southeast on Samana Cay, according to calculations made inward 1986 past times National Geographic author together with editor Joseph Judge, based on Columbus' log. Evidence inward back upward of this remains inconclusive. On the landfall island, Columbus made showtime contact with the Lucayans together with exchanged goods with them.
Whatever live the case, the novel Castilian arrivals raid the isle together with forced much of the Lucayan population to Hispaniola for occupation every bit forced labour; together with suffering from exposure to diseases to which they had no immunity, they suffered high fatalities. The population of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas was severely diminished. Half of the Tainos were killed past times smallpox after Columbus's arrival inward the Bahamas.
Apart from the Spanish, recent enquiry suggests that in that location may withdraw hold been attempts to settle the islands past times groups from France, together with Britain, every bit good every bit past times other Amerindians.
As noted past times Cash, Maples, & Packer (1978) together with Saunders (1982), inward 1648, almost lxx Puritans together with 28 freed slaves (blacks) arrived on the isle of Eleuthera together with became known through history every bit the Eleutherian Adventurers. These 28 freed slaves were the showtime blacks (Africans) to brand it inward Commonwealth of the Bahamas The Eleutherian Adventurers were a grouping of Englishmen who had migrated to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from Bermuda seeking religious freedom. Oral tradition also attributes the earliest African settlers on the isle every bit beingness marooned enslaved people who escaped their bondage when shipwrecked. This is sure enough a probable scenario together with 1 which the population of Freetown may withdraw hold been hidden from slave owners (and others who may withdraw hold had the wishing to homecoming these marooned Africans to the slavery system) for decades.
It must live noted that inward 1670 King Charles II granted the islands to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas, who rented the islands from the Rex with rights of trading, tax, appointing governors, together with administering the country. In 1684 Castilian corsair Juan de Alcon raided the capital, Charles Town (later renamed Nassau). In 1703 a articulation Franco-Spanish expedition briefly occupied the Bahamian working capital alphabetic lineament during the War of the Castilian Succession. During proprietary rule, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas became a haven for pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. To restore orderly government, Britain made the Commonwealth of the Bahamas a crown colony inward 1718 nether the imperial governorship of Woodes Rogers. After a hard struggle, he succeeded inward suppressing piracy. In 1720, Rogers led local militia to drive off a Castilian attack.
During the American War of Independence, the islands were a target for American naval forces nether the command of Commodore Ezekial Hopkins. US Marines occupied the working capital alphabetic lineament of Nassau for a fortnight. In 1782, next the British defeat at Yorktown, a Castilian fleet appeared off the coast of Nassau, together with the metropolis surrendered without a fight. Kingdom of Spain returned possession of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to Britain the next year, nether the terms of the Treaty of Paris. Before the word was received nevertheless the islands were recaptured past times a small-scale British forcefulness led past times Andrew Deveaux.
More blacks came with Loyalists—Americans who resisted the American War of Independence together with wanted to remain nether British rule. Most of these supporters of British dominion resided inward the southern colonies of the Carolinas together with Georgia which had closed ties to Britain because of the tobacco together with cotton fiber merchandise Condemned for their political desires, the Loyalists oft received harsh handling from the American rebels who often ridiculed, tarred together with feathered them, or
prevented them from purchasing goods, or fifty-fifty confiscated their land. While some Loyalists sold their belongings together with relocated to Canada, others left to laid out lives inward West Indian countries. Also, Eastern Florida, beingness British inward 1773, became the habitation of many Loyalists who took their slaves together with plantation lifestyle there. However, East Florida became Castilian territory over again after the
signing of the treaty of Versailles inward 1783. Following this, the British authorities gave the world inward the colonies to the Loyalists who had lost their possessions inward America; from this stemmed the migration of Loyalists to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward 1783. Some Loyalists came from New York together with migrated to the islands of Abaco together with Cat Island with many inundating the isle of New Providence betwixt 1784 together with 1785. Within those 2 years, betwixt half dozen together with vii M Loyalists arrived inward the Bahamas, causing the Bahamian population to increment from 4,000 inward 1783 to 11,300 inward 1789 together with the ratio of negroes to whites, which was equal before, to live 3 to one.
After the population of slaves grew with the oncoming of Loyalists to the Bahamas, the saccharide revolution increased the number of slaves inward the West Indian part significantly. The Spaniards introduced saccharide to the West Indies inward 1493 but it was Aguilon who inward 1505 crushed canes into saccharide together with began the saccharide manufacture inward the region(Greenwood & Hamber, 1979). As the saccharide demand inward Europe increased, the Spaniards needed laborers to supercede the Carib together with Arawak Indians whose population was speedily declining. They found a solution to this job inward West Africans who were seen every bit defenseless, inferior to Europeans, pagans who needed to live enslaved
together with acquire almost Christianity, together with an inexpensive, profitable source of labor. Antislavery groups, however, challenged the morality together with legality of slavery until slavery was declared illegal inward England inward 1772 past times the British Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield (Meditz & Hanratty, 1987a). Despite this declaration, the actual slave merchandise continued on legally until its abolition inward 1807. Meanwhile inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas some slave owners created manumission contracts for their slaves who could thereby go to purchase their freedom. Other slave owners inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas remained opposed to the abolition of slavery based non only on religious convictions but also on economical need. Opponents argued that slaves were needed to maintain the plantation economic scheme inward the production of cotton, tobacco, together with saccharide together with that inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas slaves were non beingness abused or overworked. Nonetheless, an deed passed inward 1833 inward the British Parliament went into upshot on August 1, 1834 together with forced the goal of slavery inward the British Caribbean.
Following this legal change, the apprenticeship arrangement was created inward monastic enjoin to facilitate the onset of freedom. So that plantations would non live straight off devoid of laborers, old slaves were forced to remain on the plantations for half dozen years piece their old owners were recompensed for “property” loss. However, the apprenticeship inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas together with other colonies came to an early on goal inward 1838 (Meditz & Hanratty, 1987b).
Even after the British slave merchandise had ended together with slavery together with apprenticeship inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas had ceased, blacks (Africans) continued to live relocated to the Bahama Islands. In the 1820s, hundreds of American slaves together with Black Seminoles escaped from Cape Florida to the Bahamas, settling mostly on northwest Andros Island, where they developed the hamlet of Red Bays. From eyewitness accounts, 300 escaped inward a bulk flying inward 1823, aided past times Bahamians inward 27 sloops, with others using canoes for the journey. This was commemorated inward 2004 past times a large sign at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Some of their descendants proceed Black Seminole traditions inward basketmaking together with grave marking.
Africans, mostly slaves were seized from ships that had been captured or shipwrecked piece en route to America or Republic of Cuba where slaves were silent beingness traded. Regarded every bit “liberated Africans,” they became indentured laborers for masters or mistresses who helped them go accustomed to their novel environs past times teaching them a merchandise or handicrafts. In 1818, the Home Office inward London had ruled that "any slave brought to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from exterior the British West Indies would live manumitted." This led to a total of nearly 300 slaves owned past times U.S. nationals beingness freed from 1830 to 1835. The American slave ships Comet together with Encomium, used inward its domestic coastwise slave trade, had wrecked off Abaco Island inward Dec 1830 together with Feb 1834, respectively. When wreckers took the masters, passengers together with slaves into Nassau, customs officers seized the slaves together with British colonial officials freed them, over the protests of the Americans. There were 165 slaves on the Comet together with 48 on the Encomium. Britain paid an indemnity to the US inward those 2 cases, but only after lengthy delay.
British colonial officials also freed 78 American slaves from the Enterprise, which went into Bermuda inward 1835; together with 38 from the Hermosa, which wrecked off Abaco isle inward 1840, after abolition was effective inward August 1834. The most notable representative was that of the Creole inward 1841, the outcome of a slave revolt whose leaders ordered the American brig to Nassau. It was carrying 135 slaves from Virginia destined for sale inward New Orleans. The Bahamian officials freed the 128 slaves who chose to remain inward the islands. The Creole representative has been described every bit the "most successful slave revolt inward US history".
These incidents, inward which a total of 447 slaves belonging to American nationals were freed past times 1842, increased tension betwixt the U.S. together with Great Britain, although they had been cooperating inward patrols to suppress the international slave trade. Worried almost the stability of its domestic slave merchandise together with its value, the US argued that Britain should non care for its domestic ships that came to its colonial ports nether duress, every bit portion of the international trade. The US worried that the success of the Creole's slaves inward gaining liberty would encourage to a greater extent than slave revolts on merchant ships.
Modern political evolution began after the Second World War. The showtime political parties were formed inward the 1950s. The British Parliament authorized the islands every bit internally self-governing inward 1964, with Sir Roland Symonette, of the United Bahamian Party, every bit the showtime Premier.
In 1967, Lynden Pindling (Sir Lynden from 1983), of the Progressive Liberal Party, became the showtime dark Premier of the colony; inward 1968 the championship of the seat was changed to Prime Minister. In 1973, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas became fully independent every bit a Commonwealth realm, retaining membership inward the Commonwealth of Nations. Sir Milo Butler was appointed the showtime Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (the official representative of Queen Elizabeth II) shortly after independence.
In May 2012, old Prime Minister Perry Christie led the Progressive Liberal Party dorsum to mightiness past times defeating Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s Free National Movement. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 1 of the Caribbean’s most prosperous nations.
Bahamian international supermodel together with actress, Shakara Ledard in a peachy pose for her Country
Bahamian Cultural Identity
As the pop proverb goes “to consummate your identity, y'all must pick out your ethnic affiliation,” The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has non experienced racial disharmony to the flat that has been witnessed inward parts of American history together with social development.
Like inward America, however, race together with ethnicity inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas withdraw hold together with proceed to live used every bit a agency of distinguishing peoples residing inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas (although Bahamians seat themselves past times several factors such every bit sex, historic flow religious denomination or political affiliation).
No 1 black-and-white dichotomy exists amidst Bahamians. Rather, Glinton-Meicholas (1994), inward her satirical description of Bahamian life, describes that:
"[h]ere, only 3 racial groups are accepted every bit true-true Bahamians: black,
conchy-joe, Long Island or Eleuthera red. We recognize 2 groups of
‘Bahamians’: greeks together with chinese together with 2 groups of ‘permanent residents’-
‘hyshuns’ together with expatriates.
If y'all wishing to live a true-true Bahamian, beingness called ‘white’ is the buss of death.
If nosotros telephone phone y'all ‘white’, it agency that nosotros consider y'all a foreigner or a tourist (pp.
109-110)."
True truthful Bahamian, "King" Eric Gibson – entrepreneur together with musician; semi-official Ambassador of Bahamian Goodwill.
According to Glinton-Meicholas (1994), Blacks, regardless of colour, may live anyone whose surname is a pop dark name, who works every bit a civil servant, or lives “over-the-hill.” Conchy-Joes, on the other hand, withdraw hold Caucasian physical features, deport pop surnames together with heritage descending from the islands of Abaco or Northern Eleuthera, together with ain successful businesses on Bay Street (a pop business organisation expanse historically known every bit dominated past times non-blacks). In betwixt the hues associated with blacks together with conchy-joes are those Bahamians whom Glinton-Meicholas (1994) has termed every bit Long Island or Eleuthera Red (or but “red” every bit to a greater extent than often than non described past times most Bahamians). These Bahamians “are of the [C]aucasian persuasion, but withdraw hold closed relatives who appear to withdraw hold to a greater extent than java than cream inward their genetic brew,” withdraw hold surnames together with heritage descending from Long Island or Eleuthera, together with are known for having a potent go ethic.
Apart from those sub-groups of “true-true Bahamians” described above, are “Bahamians” whose origins tin can live to a greater extent than clearly traced to farther, unusual regions, peculiarly Asia together with Greece, rather than straight off traced to 1 of the Bahamian islands. Because of this divergence inward roots, persons of Asian or Greek descent are non to a greater extent than often than non considered every bit “true-true Bahamians.”
Lenny Kravitz, actor, multi-instrumentalist, music arranger, tape producer together with stone singer-songwriter; boy of Bahamian woman Roxie Roker
Besides “true-true Bahamians” together with “Bahamians” are those who are to a greater extent than often than non not considered to belong to The Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward whatever way, regardless of their economical or social contributions or the amount of years spent living inward this country. These persons are usually categorized every bit “hyshuns” (Haitians, pronounced inward a shape of Bahamian dialect) together with expatriates (persons from other countries, peculiarly North America together with Europe) who descend from none of the Bahamian islands.
Nassau-Born Bahamian, Dr. Myles Munroe the president together with founder of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI)and Myles Munroe International (MMI), a Christian growth together with resources middle that includes leadership preparation institutes, a missions agency, a publishing company, a tv set network, radio together with Web communications, together with a church building community.( He is master copy executive officeholder together with chairman of the board of the International Third World Leaders Association together with president of the International Leadership Training Institute. He is the author of 23 books together with is a motivational speaker)
Expatriates are often viewed past times “true truthful Bahamians” every bit beingness detached from the residue of the society past times their refusal to associate themselves with ordinary Bahamian citizens. Negative stereotypes together with a full general dislike of “hyshuns” amidst many Bahamians withdraw hold lent to the exclusion of Haitians inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas every bit belonging to the collective ideal of beingness Bahamian. These
stereotypes are based on the catch that the influx of pitiable Haitian immigrants has strained the occupation marketplace together with social services offered past times the government.
Etta Cameron, Bahamian together with a jazz singer; based inward Denmark; front-runner of the Danish 1970s together with 1980s music scene
As a cultural insider, Glinton-Meicholas (1994) has captured the catch of how average Bahamians to a greater extent than often than non seat themselves together with others residing inward The Bahamas.
In her addition of ethnic identification amidst Bahamians, she describes that:
"Like most Bahamian attitudes, race relations inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas withdraw hold 2 faces. On
the 1 hand, 1 of the virtues of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a flat of racial harmony,
unheard of elsewhere inward this world. We tin can socialize together inward public places,
together with go together with noticeable goodwill. On the other hand, piece nosotros cook
peas together with rice together inward the same pot, the 2 remain quite separate, but together
create a dish that does non appal the tummy (Glinton-Meicholas, 1994, p. 124)."
The interaction amidst Bahamians of dissimilar racial/ethnic backgrounds has undoubtedly affected the formation of Bahamian cultural identity together with how this topic is to a greater extent than often than non approached; so, too, has the distribution of the world around the archipelago. In the representative of The Bahamas, the islands non only render a indicate of reference for determining one’s “Bahamianness” together with roots, but also influence how Bahamian civilisation is expressed on each isle due to variations inward geographical province of affairs together with access to resources.
Moreover, non only do Bahamians’ perceptions of themselves influence the way they
culturally seat themselves, but also their internalization of foreigners’ perceptions of
them, namely tourists.
Economy
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 1 of the Caribbean’s most prosperous nations. Tourism generates almost one-half of all jobs together with accounts for to a greater extent than than threescore per centum of GDP. Financial together with business organisation services business organisation human relationship for to a greater extent than than one-third of GDP. Due to its geographic location, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas often serves every bit a major transshipment indicate for drug smugglers together with illegal aliens seeking to come inward the United States.
The Bahamas’ economical liberty score is 69.8, making its economic scheme the 36th freest inward the 2014 Index. Its overall score has decreased past times 0.3 point, with a notable reject inward liberty from corruption outweighing a gain inward merchandise freedom. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is the fourth freest out of 29 countries inward the South together with Central America/Caribbean region, together with its overall score remains higher than the regional together with world averages.
Successful Bahamian Tourist economy: 5-Day Commonwealth of the Bahamas & Key West Cruise from Jacksonville Carnival Cruise Line
Over the 20-year history of the Index, The Bahamas’ economical liberty has deteriorated past times 2 points. Although the score for merchandise liberty has improved past times over thirty points, declines withdraw hold occurred inward half dozen of the 10 economical freedoms, notably belongings rights together with business organisation freedom, which plummeted xx points or more. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas had been a “mostly free” economic scheme during the showtime fifteen years but has been on a declining path of economical liberty since 2009 together with has dropped into the ranks of the “moderately free” inward the 2014 Index.
The isle economic scheme is equipped with a dynamic fiscal sector together with has a competitive revenue enhancement regime. There are no personal income or corporate taxes. However, a pitiable investment framework, characterized past times authorities interference together with lingering corruption, continues to undermine the Bahamas’ overall economical liberty together with long-term prospects for broader-based economical expansion.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has some of the world’s lowest revenue enhancement rates, with no private or corporate income taxes or value-added taxes (VATs). Instead, the authorities imposes national insurance taxes, belongings taxes, tariffs, together with a postage stamp tax. The overall revenue enhancement burden is 16.4 per centum of gross domestic output. Government spending is 23 per centum of the total economy, together with public debt amounts to almost 50 per centum of GDP.
An efficient regulatory framework to a greater extent than often than non facilitates business organisation formation together with productivity growth, but the absence of major regulatory reforms inward recent years has undermined the Bahamas’ international competitiveness. Hiring together with dismissal regulations are non burdensome, together with the influence of unions is limited. The authorities influences domestic prices for such “breadbasket” items every bit medicines, gasoline, together with crude gas.
Disney Cruise Line’s Nassau Commonwealth of the Bahamas Excursions
Commercial Activities. Most consumer goods are imported. Farming is unimportant except for a small-scale amount of subsistence gardening inward out-island settlements.
Commercial farming of cotton, pineapples, together with sisal has had fiddling success. Commercial angling is moderately important, with most of the withdraw take hold of frozen together with exported. Sponge angling is nearly defunct. Cottage industries that make straw, shells, together with wooden items cater to local residents together with tourists. Hotels, casinos, restaurants, together with sport angling businesses are common.
Major Industries. Manufacturing is unimportant except for a few oil refineries together with small-scale factories. Offshore banking together with finance are of import because favorable revenue enhancement together with corporate laws withdraw hold been established together with widely promoted.
Trade. Most consumer goods are imported. Goods such every bit pharmaceuticals, rum, crawfish together with cement are exported. The major trading partners are the United States, the United Kingdom, together with Canada.
Tourists inward The Bahamas. Courtesy bahamasphotographer.net
Division of Labor
The authorities is the largest employer. Out-island children go with their parents or grandparents when they are non inward schoolhouse or at play. In towns together with cities, children from poorer families may go every bit street vendors or do strange jobs. Some occupations are unionized, together with unions are an of import force. Skilled trades such every bit fishing, carpentry, together with masonry go tend to live theater unit of measurement specializations. Small businesses transcend from generation to generation within families.
Social Stratification
Classes together with Castes. The upper shape consists of wealthy business organisation owners, corporate managers, professionals, high-ranking authorities officials, together with some unusual citizens. Historically, this shape was composed of Britons, white Bahamians, light-skinned Bahamians of mixed race, together with a few Americans together with Canadians. Most were self-consciously British inward speech communication together with behavior. The upper shape today includes many to a greater extent than residents of African ancestry. Emulation of the old colonial elite is less common.
The middle shape consists of small-scale business organisation owners, some professionals, civil servants, together with lower-level corporate managers. Most members of this shape are of African ancestry, but some are of European together with Asian ancestry. Degrees from Bahamian together with American colleges are increasingly common. The lower shape is the nation's largest together with includes roughly equal numbers of urban together with out isle residents. Almost all the members of this shape are of African ancestry. Lower-class Bahamians include fishermen, farmers, laborers, skilled tradespeople, together with others who do low-status physical work. Some withdraw hold high schoolhouse diplomas, but many withdraw hold lower levels of educational attainment together with are perceived every bit pitiable but respectable. The lowest stratum is an underclass that consists of the chronically unemployed together with Haitian refugees. Most members of the underclass live inward the to the lowest degree desirable together with "respectable" sections of the Nassau metropolitan area. They are found inward smaller numbers inward some out-island communities. Few withdraw hold a high schoolhouse diploma.
Symbols of Social Stratification. The distinction betwixt old coin together with novel coin is non critically important. University degrees, especially from private institutions inward Britain together with the United States, are common. Most upper-class residents are inward the exclusive neighborhoods of Nassau, although some withdraw hold additional homes inward the out islands or abroad. Middle-class people live inward "respectable" Nassau neighborhoods or out-island settlements. Many regularly wing to Florida for shopping together with entertainment.
Political Life
Government. The Commonwealth is a constitutional, parliamentary commonwealth with universal suffrage for citizens historic flow 18 together with older. The British monarch is recognized every bit the caput of province together with is represented past times the governor-general, but executive mightiness is vested inward the prime number minister. Primary legislative ascendancy resides with an elected House of Assembly together with an appointed Senate. The judicial arrangement includes magistrates' courts, the Supreme Court, together with the Court of Appeals. Local authorities is an extension of the federal authorities with management inward the hands of appointed district commissioners.
Leadership together with Political Officials. There are 2 major political parties: the Free National Movement (FNM) together with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Ideologically, both parties are centrist, with the PLP somewhat to the left of the FNM on most social issues. The personalities of politicians together with their relationships with constituents are to a greater extent than of import than political philosophy. Most people elected to the House of Assembly since independence withdraw hold been middle-aged men of African ancestry with academy degrees together with successful careers inward police clit and/or business. House members demand non reside inward their districts but usually see frequently. Political officials are expected to live accessible to their constituents through occupation visits together with the mail.
Angelique Sabrina, Bahamian together with a teenage actor, dancer together with singer-songwriter
The archipelago is the concluding staging expanse for thousands of annual shipments of illegal drugs from South America together with the Caribbean Area to North America. Although illegal together with viewed every bit a social job past times many people, the drug merchandise is tolerated because it provides income. Money laundering together with related international crimes are widely viewed every bit beneficial together with are non criminalized. Crimes such every bit assault, robbery, together with homicide are dealt with routinely. Vigilante groups be but are non an of import aspect of social control.
Gender Roles together with Statuses
Division of Labor past times Gender. Legally, women withdraw hold equal condition nether the law, but men tend to dominate the higher-income together with higher condition positions inward the public together with private sectors. Men dominate angling together with other maritime endeavors, the edifice trades, together with the transportation industry.
Bahamian people
The Relative Status of Women together with Men. Urban women withdraw hold many career opportunities together with are non discriminated against inward obvious ways. Women dominate fields such every bit nursing, simple schoolhouse teaching, together with occupation work. Out-island women tend to live farmers, shopkeepers, arts and crafts specialists, together with domestics when they are employed. Many self-identify every bit "housekeepers."
Afro-Bahamian Zoë Isabella Kravitz is an American actress, vocalist together with model. She is the only kid of instrumentalist Lenny Kravitz together with actress Lisa Bonet
Marriage, Family, together with Kinship
Marriage. Marriages are monogamous. In many out-island settlements, the options are spousal human relationship together with extra-residential unions. In larger towns together with cities, consensual unions exist. People are costless to select their spouses. Church weddings follow brief engagements. In principle, 1 should non get married a blood relative, but inward small-scale communities marriages betwixt kin to a greater extent than distantly related than showtime cousins are common.
A Nassau Commonwealth of the Bahamas wedding ceremony Bahamian trend is the Day 5 characteristic of Commonwealth of the Bahamas Destination's Commonwealth of the Bahamas wedding
In white-dominated out-island settlements, interracial marriages are stigmatized. Both partners are expected to contribute financially to a marriage. Divorces are available, although many couples but drift apart together with never legally terminate the union. There is no stigma attached to remarriage. H5N1 sexual double touchstone exists inward which women are supposed to live chaste until spousal human relationship together with faithful during spousal human relationship whereas men are expected to withdraw hold premarital together with extramarital affairs. Men are widely seen every bit inherently promiscuous.
Domestic Unit. The ideal is the nuclear theater unit of measurement household. In cases of extramarital unions, consensual unions, divorce, death, together with abandonment, matrifocal households are common. In poorer out-island settlements, parents may motility to urban areas to work, leaving their children inward the aid of grandparents. In nuclear theater unit of measurement households, ascendancy tends to live evenly divided betwixt the hubby together with the wife.
Inheritance. Sons together with daughters inherit from both parents. Inherited belongings includes land, houses, boats, together with household goods. Wills may favor 1 heir over another, but this is uncommon, especially inward the out islands.
Kin Groups. No formal kin groups larger than the theater unit of measurement exist. Adult siblings tend to appear after each other's interests together with oft operate shops or angling vessels together.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Atlantis Palm Point Beach Wedding. Courtesy www.markdacunha.com
Socialization
Infant Care. Infants are cared for past times their mothers. Both bottle feeding together with breast-feeding are accepted. Infants slumber inward the parents' chamber except amidst the to a greater extent than affluent, where a separate room is available. Infants are carried inward the arms, together with infant carriages are used. Caregivers attempt to calm crying or otherwise agitated infants.
Child Rearing together with Education. shopping together with household chores. Boys may go with their fathers but are often costless to play. Boys are taught to live fun-loving together with independent, piece girls are expected to live responsible together with to remain nether closed theater unit of measurement scrutiny. Corporal penalty together with threats are common. The literacy charge per unit of measurement is almost xc percent, together with public educational activity is available through local simple schools together with regional secondary schools. Private schools inward Nassau are available to wealthier families. In public schools, rote learning is common.
Higher Education. Since independence, higher educational activity has been stressed. The College of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward Nassau together with numerous technical schools render higher education, although unusual universities are pop amidst the to a greater extent than affluent.
Nassau, Commonwealth of the Bahamas - Junkanooers together with revellers relish the Independence People's Junkanoo Rush on Bay Street Sat morning, July 11, next the Fri nighttime celebrations on Clifford Park to grade The Bahamas' 37th
Religion
Religious Beliefs. Most residents are churchgoing Christians. About 80 per centum are Protestant, together with xx per centum are Roman Catholic. The largest Protestant denominations are Baptist together with Anglican. In line with their West African belief arrangement some Bahamians staunch devotees of Obeah. Obeah is an West African belief system brought to the Caribbeans past times African slaves mostly of Akan ethnicity. The Obeah belief is what is known every bit Akom to the Akans. It has chemical element of bush (herbal) medicine exercise together with it has been practiced since the times of slavery inward the Bahamas. It is silent used today to cure many diseases, using local plants.
Religious Practitioners. Large congregations are led past times ordained ministers together with priests, piece small-scale congregations are led past times unordained preachers. Obeah men are part-time specialists whose activities include placing together with removing curses, communicating with spirits, together with giving spiritual advice.
Rituals together with Holy Places. Most rituals are Christian services together with are held inward churches. Immersion baptisms together with revival meetings are held outdoors. Some Christian services include glossolalia, spirit possession, together with faith healing. Obeah rituals tend to live small-scale together with private.
Death together with the Afterlife
The dead are placed inward simple pino coffins, together with wakes are held at home. The wealthy purchase to a greater extent than expensive coffins together with occupation funeral parlors. Funerals are held inward churches, together with burials are inward churchyards or public cemeteries. It is believed that souls go to sky or hell, but some believe that ghosts wander earlier reaching their ultimate destination.
The Bahamians
Medicine together with Health Care
There is 1 large infirmary inward Nassau, together with over a hundred authorities clinics are scattered elsewhere. An air ambulance service transports out islanders to the infirmary inward emergencies. There are almost twelve-hundred people per physician, but nurses together with paramedics often serve every bit primary aid professionals, especially inward remote settlements. "Bush medicine" (herbal treatments) is silent found, but its popularity is declining.
Food
Food inward Daily Life. Typical meals for urban residents consist of fruits together with vegetables, meat or fish, bread, together with rice. Out islanders tend to eat to a greater extent than fresh fruit, vegetables, together with fish. The 2 national dishes are conch, an easily collected bounding main snail, rice, together with peas. Poor people eat these foods because they are inexpensive together with readily available; the to a greater extent than affluent relish them every bit "heritage foods."
A waitress from Joe's Bar together with Grill served the establishment's specialty, Nellie's Bahamian Conch Fritters at a media reception for Jeffrey Poitier on Apr 24th, 2009. Photo: Lyndah Wells.
Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. Holiday meals tend to middle on local fish or conch, rice together with peas, baked goods, together with fresh fruit. Bahamian rum, local together with imported beer, soft drinks, tea, together with java are regularly consumed.
Music of the Bahamas
The music of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is associated primarily with junkanoo, a celebration which occurs on Boxing Day together with over again on New Year's Day. Parades together with other celebrations grade the ceremony. Groups similar The Baha Men, Ronnie Butler together with Kirkland Bodie withdraw hold gained massive popularity inward Japan, the U.S. together with other places.
Calypso
Calypso is a trend of Afro-Caribbean music which originated inward Trinidad together with Tobago. This shape of music has spread through many parts of the Caribbean, including the The Bahamas.
Soca
Soca is a shape of trip the lite fantastic toe music which originated from many calypso music. It originally combined the melodic lilting audio of calypso with insistent percussion (which is often electronic inward recent music) together with local chutney music. Soca music has evolved inward the lastly xx years primarily past times musicians from diverse Anglophone Caribbean Area countries including Trinidad, Guyana, Saint Vincent together with the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua together with Barbuda, U.S. Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Kitts together with Nevis, Jamaica together with Belize.
The 'Baha Men' are an English linguistic communication band playing a modernized trend of Bahamian Music called Junkanoo. Winners of the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, together with a Grammy every twelvemonth since for “Most Random Song Inexplicably Still Played At Sporting Events Free Of Irony” (a co-award shared with “Cotton-Eye Joe”).
Junkanoo
The give-and-take junkanoo is said to live derived from a Ghanaian leader, John Connu, or from the Qujo supreme deity (Canno) together with ancestral spirits (jannanin). The junkanoo was formerly practiced inward North Carolina together with remnants silent be inward Belize. It is most good known, though, from Nassau together with Freeport. Since the 1950s the influence of American civilisation has increased, mainly through TV together with radio broadcasts from Florida stations, together with other Caribbean Area styles withdraw hold made inroads: calypso, reggae together with soca, from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad, together with other islands. Tourism has also had an impact, bringing inward Japanese, European together with North Americans with their attendant forms of cultural expression. In this milieu to a greater extent than traditional Commonwealth of the Bahamas performers such every bit Joseph Spence, withdraw hold silent enjoyed successful careers playing junkanoo, Christian hymns together with the ant'ems of the local sponge fisherman, which include "Sloop John B", after made famous past times The Beach Boys.
Junkanoo celebration inward Nassau
Junkanoo's origins are obscure together with much-debated. Researchers similar E. Clement Bethel withdraw hold studied the number extensively, together with probable conclusions include that African slaves were allowed celebrations only around Christmas-time, together with chose to celebrate John Connu, a headman from 18th century Africa. Another theory is that the term derives from scrap metallic or other objects (junk) used to create the distinctive goombay drum. Similar celebrations 1 time existed cross the Caribbean Area together with inward North Carolina, but are at nowadays virtually extinct except inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas together with Belize.
Junkanoo costume, Boxing Day Parade, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
In 1973, the twelvemonth the Commonwealth of the Bahamas achieved independence from the United Kingdom, dark professionals of the middle together with upper classes began to dominate junkanoo celebrations. Costuming together with competitions became to a greater extent than complex together with commonplace, together with before long became a tourist draw.
Aside from beingness a type of drum, goombay is also a percussion music made famous past times Alphonso 'Blind Blake' Higgs, who played to tourists arriving at Nassau International Airport for several years. Rake-and-scrape music is a unique type of instrumental music made past times bending a saw together with scraping with a small-scale object, most typically a screwdriver; it is used to accompany dances derived from European forms similar polka together with waltz. Rake-and-scrape's popularity has been declining inward recent years, but performers similar Lassie Do together with the Boys proceed to maintain the tradition alive. Christian rhyming spirituals together with the ant'ems of sponge fisherman are at nowadays mostly dead traditions, decimated past times the arrival of pop music, a 1930s sponge blight together with other causes.
E. Clement Bethel's master's thesis on traditional Bahamian music was adapted for the phase past times his daughter, Nicolette Bethel together with Philip A. Burrows. Music of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas was showtime performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe inward 1991, together with was revived inward 2002 for fresh Bahamian audiences. H5N1 recording of that demo is available for sale from Ringplay Productions.
Bahamas
Rake together with scrape
Main article: Rake together with scrape music
Rake together with scrape music comes from the musical traditions of the Turks together with Caicos Islands, together with is characterized past times the occupation of a saw every bit the primary instrument. It was brought past times immigrants from those islands from the 1920s to almost the 1940s, who settled on Cat Island, together with elsewhere. Rake together with Scrape is traditionally used to accompany the Bahamian Quadrille together with the heel-toe polka all relics of the initial mixture of Africa together with Europe. Many of these Turks together with Caicos Islanders became some of the most famous musicians inward the Bahamas. Many eventually moved dorsum to their homelands, bringing with them junkanoo. Turks together with Caicos are at nowadays the instant habitation for junkanoo.
Junkanoo, Boxing Day Parade, Nassau, Bahamas
Organology of Instruments
Membranophones: The Goombay drum is main rhythmic constituent inward rake-n-scrape. It is also referred to a goatskin drum, every bit the pare of a caprine animal was stretched over a wooden barrel. It is decorated past times simple or complex geometric designs inward vivid colors. The drum is ever heated over dismiss to retain its tone. In 1971, when manufacturers started shipping products inward metallic barrels, Bahamians switched the drum to metal, slightly changing the tone of the drum.
"King" Eric Gibson – entrepreneur together with musician; semi-official Ambassador of Bahamian Goodwill.
Idiophones: The main constituent that makes Rake-N-Scrape unique is the occupation of the Carpenter's Saw. This musical instrument is scraped with a blast or butter knife. Bent against the torso of the participant together with flexed, diverse timbral effects are obtained. In to a greater extent than modern music, the saw is replaced with maracas or a guiro.
Aerophones: The pianoforte accordion is the constituent that adds the circular shape which enables dancers to trip the lite fantastic toe the band dance. This is of European descent. In to a greater extent than modern bands, it is replaced past times an electrical guitar or electronic keyboard.
Arts
Straw weaving Traditional crafts include straw go on islands (each 1 having a unique plaiting or braiding style) creating beautiful hats together with baskets.
This science was useful when Bahamians led subsistence lifestyles, with baskets beingness used for carrying fruit together with angling traps. Today, straw go together with wood carvings are produced together with sold to tourists inward Nassau's Straw Market.
Quilting: Quilting has been practiced on the isle of Castilian Wells for many generations.
Canvas art: Beautiful landscapes together with the vibrant houses together with peoples of the Bahamian archipelago withdraw hold inspired many artists, both native together with foreign. Some notable Bahamian artists include Amos Ferguson (deceased), Eddie Minnis, Brent Malone (deceased), Jackson Burnside (deceased), John Beadle together with John Cox.
Coral together with stone art: Hand carvings from coral fine art together with natural stone are cultivated from naturally occurring reef break-offs, beach erosions, outcrops, together with smoothen rocks.
Bahamian creative soul Khia Poitier is only xx years old, she's already made her grade on the Bahamian fine art scene—and she's headed for large things
Secular Celebrations
Ten public holidays are recognized: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter, Whit Mon (seven weeks after Easter), Labor Day (first Fri inward June), Independence Day (10 July), Emancipation Day (first Mon inward August), Discovery Day (12 October), Christmas Day, together with Boxing Day (26 December). Secular holidays tend to live celebrated with parades, speeches, together with concerts.
Sport
Sport inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a pregnant portion of Bahamian culture. The national sport is sloop sailing where Durward Knowles together with Sloan Farrington picked upward the showtime Olympic medal (bronze) for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Durward Knowles also captured the country's showtime Olympic Gold medal along with Cecil Cooke during the 1964 Summer Olympics inward Sailing.
However the most pop spectator sports are those imported from U.S. such every bit basketball, American Football together with baseball game rather than Britain due to the country's closed proximity to the United States. Unlike their other Caribbean Area counterparts where cricket has proven to live to a greater extent than popular. Cricket has been played inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from 1846. It is the oldest sport beingness played inward the province today. The only other sporting lawsuit that began earlier cricket was Equus caballus racing, which started inward 1796. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Cricket Association was formed inward 1936 every bit an organised body. From the 1940s – 1970s, cricket was played alongside many Bahamians. Commonwealth of the Bahamas is non apart of the West Indies Board, thence players are non eligible to play for the West Indies cricket team.The belatedly 1970s saw the game laid out to reject inward the province every bit teachers, who had previously come upward from the UK with a passion for cricket were replaced past times teachers who had been trained inward the United States. The Bahamian Physical educational activity teachers had no knowledge of the game together with instead taught rails & field, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball together with soccer where primary together with high schools compete against each other. Today cricket is silent enjoyed past times a few locals together with immigrants inward the province usually from Jamaica, Guyana, Republic of Haiti together with Barbados. Cricket is played on Saturdays together with Sundays at Windsor Park together with Haynes Oval.
Dexter Cambridge, Rick Fox together with Ian Lockhart are a few Bahamians who joined Bahamian Mychal Thompson of the Los Angeles Lakers inward the NBA ranks. Over the years American football game has go much to a greater extent than pop than association football, though non implemented inward the high schoolhouse arrangement yet. Leagues for teens together with adults withdraw hold been developed past times the Commonwealth of the Bahamas American Football Federation. However association football, commonly known every bit soccer inward the country, is silent a really pop sport alongside high schoolhouse students. Leagues are governed past times the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Football Association. Recently the Bahamian authorities has been working closely with the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. to promote the sport inward the province every bit good every bit promoting the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward the European market. In 2013 the Spurs became the showtime Premier League society to play an exhibition fit inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to confront the Jamaica national football game team. Joe Lewis the possessor of the Tottenham Hotspur society is based inward the Bahamas.
Other pop sports are swimming, lawn tennis together with boxing where Bahamians withdraw hold enjoyed some flat of success at the international level. Other sports such every bit golf, rugby league, rugby union together with beach soccer are considered growing sports. Athletics commonly known every bit rails together with plain inward the province is the most successful sport past times far alongside Bahamians. Bahamians withdraw hold a potent tradition inward the sprints together with jumps. Track together with plain is in all likelihood the most pop spectator sport inward the province side past times side to basketball game due to their success over the years. Bahamians withdraw hold gone on to win numerous rails together with plain medals at The Olympic Games, IAAF World Championships inward Athletics, Commonwealth Games together with Pan American Games. Frank Rutherford is the showtime athletics olympic medalist for the country. He won a bronze medal for triple fountain during the 1992 Summer Olympics. Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson, Chandra Sturrup, Savatheda Fynes together with Eldece Clarke-Lewis teamed upward for the showtime athletics Olympic Gold medal for the province when they won the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics. They are affectionately know every bit the "Golden Girls. Tonique Williams-Darling became the showtime athletics private Olympic gilt medalist when she won the 400m sprint inward 2004 Summer Olympics
Source:https://beardocs.baylor.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2104/5539/jennette_walkine_edd.pdf?sequence=1
http://danelliott.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/publication125_freetown.pdf
http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Bahama-Islands.html
Costumed drummers celebrate the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival similar celebration in
Nassau, Bahamas.
Lenny Kravitz is of Bahamian ancestry
Lenny Kravitz is of Bahamian ancestry
Simone Cameron. Woman of Bahamian ancestry
Bahamians: Etta Camerons together with søn, Steve Cameron
Bahamian supermodel, Shakara Ledard
Retired NBA star Rick Fox has Bahamian ancestry
exactly about 700 islands, rocks (islets), together with cays, roofing almost 100,000 foursquare miles inward the western Atlantic Ocean, northward of Republic of Cuba together with the Dominican Republic together with Republic of Haiti (Hispaniola); northwest of the Turks together with Caicos Islands; southeast of the U.S. province of Florida together with eastward of the Florida Keys.
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE, is a Bahamian-American actor, cinema director, author together with diplomat. In 1964, Poitier became the showtime dark soul to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, for his occupation inward Lilies of the Field.
After the American War of Independence, thousands of American Loyalists, taking their enslaved Africans, moved to the Bahamas, where the Americans prepare a plantation economy. After Britain abolished the international slave merchandise inward 1807, the Royal Navy resettled many costless Africans liberated from illegal slave ships inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas during the 19th century. Hundreds of American slaves together with Black Seminoles escaped to the islands from Florida, together with nearly 500 were freed from American merchant ships inward the domestic merchandise past times the Royal Navy. Slavery inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas was abolished inward 1834. Today the descendants of slaves together with costless Africans shape the bulk of the population; issues related to the slavery years are portion of society. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm inward 1973, retaining Queen Elizabeth II every bit its monarch.
Bahamian inward his Junkanoo Parade together with Festival costume at Nassau inward The Bahamas
As at 2014, the Bahamas has an estimated population of 382,825, an increment from 2013`s approximate of 380,000. Out of this total population, about 85% are dark Africans of West African ancestry with the Europeans constituting 12%, whilst Asians together with Latin Americans brand upward the remaining 3%. Black-Bahamians are non a racially exclusive group, in that location are Black Bahamians who withdraw hold European ancestry but seat only every bit black.
.Costumed dancers celebrate the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival-like celebration inward Nassau, Bahamas. Courtesy www.demotix.com
When it comes to the history of pop pirate genre inward the world, The Commonwealth of the Bahamas was known to live the rubber Haven for renowned pirates. The waters surrounding Grand Bahama Island were treacherous together with peculiarly thence inward the days of the sailing ship. Because it was hard to navigate the waters inward the area, it was a favorite haven for pirates. Pirates were especially plentiful inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward the 17th century. After 1718 the pirates were subdued past times Royal Governor Woodes Rodgers—himself a old pirate. Among the to a greater extent than notable pirates who frequented the waters together with islands of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas were Steve Bonner, Anne Bonney, Joseph Burgess, Thomas Carter, William Catt, Arthur Davis, Benjamin Horngold, Captain William Kidd, Henry Morgan, Captain Jack Rackham (aka Calico Jack), Woodes Rodgers, Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard), Roger (Charles) Vane, together with George Watling (Defoe together with Johnson 1724; Stark 1891; Woodbury together with Rogers 1951; Storr 2004; Commonwealth of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism 2007). Archaeological report of pirates together with their settlements is a pop plain of report (Skrowronek together with Ewen 2006).
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has the 3rd highest per capita income(richest country) inward the western hemisphere (after the USA together with Canada). Tourism is the primary economical activity, accounting for c.65% of the gross domestic production (GDP). The government’s electrical flow economical thrust is to position an anchor resort on each of the major Family Islands which volition withdraw hold huge implications for the biodiversity of these otherwise relatively untouched islands. Offshore finance is the nation’s instant largest industry, accounting for c.15% of GDP.
New Years Junkanoo Festival inward Nassau Bahamas. Courtesy www.demotix.com
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas withdraw hold a heady combination – paradise islands, shimmering warm seas, perfect weather condition together with every bit many fun types of fishing. When it comes to Commonwealth of the Bahamas fishing, stand upward past times for some of the best sport angling on Earth. In fact celebrities such every bit Michael Keaton, Laurence Fishburne together with author John Grisham are fans of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas angling together with withdraw hold frequented Commonwealth of the Bahamas fabulous angling areas since fourth dimension immemorial. Author Ernest Hemingway lived on Bimini for several seasons inward the 1930s, drawn past times the incredible angling available inward the Gulf Stream - that legendary “river” of warm H2O that rushes northward past times The Bahamas. Fishing is ever-popular around the islands, with authors, celebrities, together with everyone inward between!
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas beach
In terms of diving, Bahamas "is your Heaven on Earth." Its diving playgrounds comprises warm seas of mesmerizing indigo, soft flour-white sand together with ludicrously colourful coral reefs.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas also withdraw hold wonderful beaches that are beyond perfection. The beaches actually are those mirages of powdery white sand contrasting fantastically with the indigo sea, together with leaning palms rustling inward the cooling ‘trade’ breeze. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are blessed with non one, but 2 types of sandy paradise. Most are the secluded, untouched sort of Commonwealth of the Bahamas beach, 'where your footprints experience similar the only ones to withdraw hold ever graced it; but nosotros also withdraw hold the type of beach that’s stunningly beautiful yet also has activities galore at your sun-kissed arm’s reach."
The famous Cable Beach on Nassau, inward the northward of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is known for an effortlessly buzzing beach life of chilled beach bars together with oodles of H2O sports. In fact, inward exactly 1 of many picture-perfect Commonwealth of the Bahamas beaches inward the part y'all tin can live endlessly entertained past times windsurfing, parasailing, fishing, wake-boarding, fine dining…"
In terms of gross domestic production per capita, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 1 of the richest countries inward the Americas (following the U.S. together with Canada)
Bahamas Junkanoo Festival
Bahamian civilisation is a hybrid of African, European, together with other cultures. While English linguistic communication is the official linguistic communication of the Bahamas, a vast bulk of the population speaks Bahamian Dialect. In Bahamian dialect, some African (Akan, Kongo, Yoruba, Fulani etc) words together with expressions withdraw hold been retained. Various West African peoples contributed musical instruments together with styles, forms of dance, religious concepts, folktales, theater unit of measurement patterns, together with linguistic influences. In terms of folktales, West African Akan Anansi or Anancy (spider) story is ever-popular amidst the Bahamians exactly similar all the other Caribbean Area nations.
Musicians warm upward earlier taking portion celebrating the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival similar celebration inward Nassau, Bahamas.Courtesy www.demotix.com
The Akan presence, especially that of the coastal Akan Fante people is really visible together with is popularized inward a shape of Junkanoo festival. Junkanoo is the corruption of the call of a Fante adult man called John Kweenu (John Quainoo) whom the whose call became John Connu amidst the Bahamians. John Connu (Quainoo), a headman or Fante leader, brought that Fante traditional zombie-like costume wears they position upward inward every Fante festival to the New World. "Junkanoo" is a Mardi Gras-like celebration that is held on several secular holidays. The celebrations combine music, costume, dance, revelry, pride inward the African cultural heritage, recognition of slave resistance to authority, together with the unity of the people. Junkanoo "gangs" compete for prestige together with cash prizes. Tourism officials withdraw hold transformed these ceremonies into events that pull thousands of visitors. Organizers, scholars, together with participants refer to Junkanoo every bit a social establishment that binds the people to each other together with to their past.
Jonkanoo celebration inward Island of Abaco, The Bahamas
Geography together with Climate
The Commonwealth of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an archipelago of c.700 islands together with c.2000 cays together with rocks extending over 1100 km inward length. The archipelago, which lies northward together with eastward of Cuba, runs from eastward of the southern goal of Florida (USA), southeast until it terminates at the Turks together with Caicos Islands (to the UK) which are geologically a continuation of the islands.
The closest isle to the U.S. is Bimini, which is also known every bit the gateway to the Bahamas. The province lies betwixt latitudes 20° together with 28°N, together with longitudes 72° together with 80°W together with is non geographically located inward the Caribbean, despite the mutual belief that it is.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are exposed parts of a limestone platform that is divided into several shallow banks. Little Bahama Bank is located along the northern coasts of Grand Bahama together with encompasses all of Abaco together with its North Atlantic offshore rocks together with cays. The Great Bahama Bank (which is rich inward marine life) stretches from northward of the Biminis together with Berry Islands, southward to hug the southern shoreline of New Providence together with the western shores of Andros, Eleuthera, Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island together with the Ragged Islands. The Cay Sal Bank (which is biologically impoverished) is located at the extreme western bounding main border of The Bahamas, really closed to Cuba.
The islands of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are depression together with apartment with ridges that usually ascent to no to a greater extent than than 15–20 m. However, in that location are acuate slopes nether water, betwixt together with within the convoluted banks. The Tongue of the Ocean is a 30-km broad trench betwixt New Providence together with Andros which drops to depths of 2000 m. The islands withdraw hold no rivers or streams together with the soil is fertile but thin, together with often lodged inward shallows together with “banana holes” within the harsh limestone rock. H5N1 freshwater lens exists closed to the surface, resting on the underlying salt-water.
bahamas beaches. Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort together with Offshore Island Nassau.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas are often divided, ecologically, into 3 regions: Northern Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Grand Bahama, Biminis, Berry Islands, Abacos, North Andros, together with New Providence) where all the larger islands are covered primarily past times Caribbean Area pino (Pinus caribaea) woodland (with a broadleaf shrub together with palm understorey), although much of this woodland was logged inward the mid-twentieth century; Central Commonwealth of the Bahamas (South Andros, Eleuthera, Cat Island, the Exumas, Ragged Islands, Long Island, Rum Cay, Conception Island together with San Salvador), inward which the islands are covered primarily inward broadleaf “coppice”- a dense, depression semi-evergreen forest; together with Southern Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Crooked Island, Acklins Island, Samana Cay, Mayaguana, Little together with Great Inagua), where the islands are drier together with back upward dry out shrubland. New Providence, inward spite of beingness 1 of the smaller islands, is habitation to c.69% of the Bahamian population together with the nation’s capital. Grand Bahama is instant only to New Providence inward terms of development, together with it supports 16% of the population. It is also habitation to the longest underwater cave arrangement inward the world.
Relaxing on the beach - Great Exuma, Bahamas: Beach chairs overlook the turquoise waters off the coast of Great Exuma isle inward the Bahamas.
The residue of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas islands are called the “Family Islands” which are sparsely populated together with retain their natural beauty. Of these Family Islands, Great together with Little Abaco (and its cays) are considered “the sailing working capital alphabetic lineament of the world”, together with the islands withdraw hold a booming tourist trade.
Andros is the largest isle inward the Bahamas, with extensive creeks, interlacing channels, bays, bights together with inlets. It is also habitation to many blueish holes together with every bit a outcome is renowned for its cave-diving.
Inagua is the southernmost isle inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas with the nation’s only Ramsar site—Inagua National Park—which is habitation to over 40,000 Caribbean Area Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) together with many other waterbirds. The companionship Morton Commonwealth of the Bahamas Ltd. produces tabular array salt from the salinas at 1 goal of Lake Rosa (which occupies c.30% of the island). Morton is 1 of the largest tabular array salt producers inward North America.
The small town history of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is convoluted together with often dissimilar on each island. Plantations were established on some of the islands during the belatedly 18th century, together with largescale agriculture was trialed inward the mid-20th century when much of remaining virgin pino forests inward the Northern Commonwealth of the Bahamas were logged. Subsequent evolution (especially on New Providence together with Grand Bahama, but also locally on the other inhabited islands) has had a profound negative impact on the surrounding habitats. The climate of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, together with is moderated significantly past times the waters of the Gulf Stream which keeps the islands warmer than Florida inward the wintertime together with cooler inward the summer. Summer is the rainy flavor with June together with Oct the wettest months.
However, the Southern Commonwealth of the Bahamas only acquire one-half the rainfall that the northern Commonwealth of the Bahamas receive. The islands are oft hitting past times hurricanes; for example, Hurricane Andrew inward 1992, Floyd inward 1999, Frances together with Jeanne inward 2004, together with Wilma inward 2005. Low-pressure systems associated with tropical waves together with resulting inward potent winds together with drenching pelting are a regular characteristic inward the Bahamas.
Awesome fish inward the waters of Commonwealth of the Bahamas every bit captured past times a diver
Language
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas occupation English linguistic communication every bit their primary together with official language. Regional together with class-related Bahamian dialects which vary from "Standard English" amidst the urban elite to "Bahamian English" amidst the poorer people. There are finely nuanced differences inward vocabulary together with pronunciation from isle to island. "French Creole" is spoken past times immigrants from Haiti. Those immigrants often are able to converse inward heavily accented English, but few withdraw hold been formally educated inward the language.
Parade of Bahamian Queens: Miss International Bahamas- Carlrita Robinson, Miss Progress Commonwealth of the Bahamas – Lakindes Brown, Miss Teen Commonwealth of the Bahamas – Myah Walker, Miss Teen Universal Commonwealth of the Bahamas – Alexcia Sargeant together with Miss Teen international Commonwealth of the Bahamas - Tazhamoye Cummings.
Although English linguistic communication vocabulary serves every bit the main reason for Bahamian communication, African grammer rules together with structural tendencies are often applied during usage. This synthesis of linguistic forms has led many Bahamians to catch Bahamian dialect every bit an impure shape of Standard English, although English linguistic communication itself is non a pure homogenous linguistic communication but, instead, a conglomeration of dialects. Regardless, Bahamian dialect is widely considered to live “bad English” or “broken English.”
This is demonstrated inward the dissimilar pronunciations of words every bit Glinton-Meicholas (2000) illustrates:
"Consider the representative of the pronunciation of the vowel cluster inward the give-and-take ‘rain’ in
the Bahamas. Many Bahamians vocalism it every bit a long ‘a’. For others, the people of
Andros inward particular, ‘rain’ rhymes with ‘seen’, together with for Cat Islanders, it echoes
‘men’, except the vowel audio is of slightly longer duration (p. 2)."
Such differences inward speech communication patterns inevitably are reflected inward spelling patterns ofBahamian dialect. The words “give me,” for example, may live represented inward text every bit “gimme” or “gimma” the give-and-take “the” every bit “de” or “der,” together with “Lord” every bit “lud” (Munroe,2000). Variations inward the written spelling of dialect are possible due to the fact that no concluding ascendancy exists to stipulate how dialect words are to live spelt. This province of affairs is the representative for most of the Caribbean Area islands, such every bit Jamaica, where no touchstone spelling arrangement for the native Creole linguistic communication exists.
Let withdraw appear at how Bahamian dialect appear similar inward the skit written past times Ena Campbell (as cited in
Jack et al., 2003, p. 28-29) is included inward the text:
True, truthful Bahamian
Characters Andy, Deon
Setting Lunchtime inward the classroom
Andy Deon, les go exterior to eat nosotros tiffin over dere on da bench.
Deon No, I am staying within thence I tin can eat at my desk.
Andy You tink y'all habitation eh? Ain nuttin incorrect wit eatin outside.
Deon I am non used to eating outside.
Andy Boy y'all ain born on the isle eh? Note: (Island hither agency theater unit of measurement of islands inward Bahamas)
Deon No, together with I don’t speak the way they do either.
Andy So y'all don know bout eatin cassava, banana, Irish Gaelic patato together with dilly and
bread. See my lunch.
(Opens brownish newspaper bag.)
You wan some?
Deon What’s that, banana together with breadstuff for lunch?
Andy Yes, boy, y'all say y'all born hither but y'all ain no Bahamian if you
never eat dis.
Deon Yes I am Bahamian.
Andy You don fifty-fifty speak similar us.
Deon Because I speak properly.
Andy I could speak properly also y'all know, inward 2 language.
Deon Two languages?
Andy Yes, Bahamianese together with English.
Deon What’s Bahamianese?
Andy The same way me together with da res a der chirren does talk. Das we
language.
Deon I don’t understand.
Andy Yeh, y'all understand. Any true, truthful Bahamian does speak it all
the time. We only speak English linguistic communication when necessary.
Deon I telephone phone that bad speaking.
Andy Well, das how us Bahamian does speak together with it ain no bad.
Deon Why? You don’t know how to speak English
Andy Errybody does speak English, but only dey does also speak dere
native linguistic communication or dialect.
Deon Oh! So ‘le nosotros go’ is actually ‘let’s go’ together with ‘gimme’ is actually ‘give
me’!
Andy See, I know y'all could speak similar we, is portion a ya culture. Das how
other people over da worl know us. The way nosotros talk, da way we
trip the lite fantastic toe quadrille, nosotros Junkanoo together with enough more.
Deon I tink I ga start talking Bahamianese today together with speak English linguistic communication only
when necessary.
Andy Das right, at nowadays come upward les go play outside.
(Both boys acquire out singing ‘If ya born dere, ya born dere’.)
True Bahamian adult woman of Nassau
History
Historically, the Lucayan, a branch of the Arawakan-speaking Taino people were the showtime inhabitants of The Bahamas. These Lucayan-Tainos moved into the uninhabited southern Commonwealth of the Bahamas from Hispaniola together with Republic of Cuba around the 11th century AD, having migrated in that location from South America, Venezuela. Archaeological investigation Lucayan sites on Grand Bahama Island including cave burials together with opened upward air habitation sites withdraw hold shown their early on existence. In his 2007 published go entitled "Archaeological Testing of Freetown Cemetery together with Reconnaissance of Freetown, Grand Bahama Island," Daniel T. Elliott has this to say: "Regarding the Lucayan together with other aboriginal settlements on Grand Bahama Island, the next summary data is provided:
"Skulls, bones, together with artifacts withdraw hold been found inward the caves at the Lucayan National Park. In western Grand Bahama Island, Deadman’s Reef, a pop snorkeling reef, is habitation to 1 of the most of import local archaeological sites discovered to date. The Lucayan Indians were thought to live some of the early on dwellers of Grand Bahama Island—and a recent dig along the eroding beachfront of Deadman’s Reef helped to answer many questions."
Unearthed from the dig were many artifacts belonging to the Lucayan Indians, including hearths, beast bones, pottery pieces, together with shell beads. This uncovering was dated dorsum to around 1200 to 1300 A.D.
Bahamians inward Florida
Along with this site, the bones of pre-Columbian Lucayans were found inward an underwater cave system, indicating an ancient burial site. Both of these discoveries helped to confirm that the Lucayans were amidst the showtime settlers of Grand Bahama Island (Bahamas.com 2007)."
The showtime Europeans to brand it inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas was Castilian explorer Christopher Columbus together with his crew of sailors. It is said that an estimated 30,000 Lucayan inhabited the Commonwealth of the Bahamas at the fourth dimension of Christopher Columbus' arrival inward 1492. Columbus' showtime landfall inward the New World was on an isle named San Salvador (known to the Lucayan every bit Guanahani), which some researchers believe to live present-day San Salvador Island (also known every bit Watling's Island), situated inward the southeastern Bahamas.
An alternative theory holds that Columbus landed to the southeast on Samana Cay, according to calculations made inward 1986 past times National Geographic author together with editor Joseph Judge, based on Columbus' log. Evidence inward back upward of this remains inconclusive. On the landfall island, Columbus made showtime contact with the Lucayans together with exchanged goods with them.
Whatever live the case, the novel Castilian arrivals raid the isle together with forced much of the Lucayan population to Hispaniola for occupation every bit forced labour; together with suffering from exposure to diseases to which they had no immunity, they suffered high fatalities. The population of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas was severely diminished. Half of the Tainos were killed past times smallpox after Columbus's arrival inward the Bahamas.
Apart from the Spanish, recent enquiry suggests that in that location may withdraw hold been attempts to settle the islands past times groups from France, together with Britain, every bit good every bit past times other Amerindians.
As noted past times Cash, Maples, & Packer (1978) together with Saunders (1982), inward 1648, almost lxx Puritans together with 28 freed slaves (blacks) arrived on the isle of Eleuthera together with became known through history every bit the Eleutherian Adventurers. These 28 freed slaves were the showtime blacks (Africans) to brand it inward Commonwealth of the Bahamas The Eleutherian Adventurers were a grouping of Englishmen who had migrated to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from Bermuda seeking religious freedom. Oral tradition also attributes the earliest African settlers on the isle every bit beingness marooned enslaved people who escaped their bondage when shipwrecked. This is sure enough a probable scenario together with 1 which the population of Freetown may withdraw hold been hidden from slave owners (and others who may withdraw hold had the wishing to homecoming these marooned Africans to the slavery system) for decades.
It must live noted that inward 1670 King Charles II granted the islands to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas, who rented the islands from the Rex with rights of trading, tax, appointing governors, together with administering the country. In 1684 Castilian corsair Juan de Alcon raided the capital, Charles Town (later renamed Nassau). In 1703 a articulation Franco-Spanish expedition briefly occupied the Bahamian working capital alphabetic lineament during the War of the Castilian Succession. During proprietary rule, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas became a haven for pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. To restore orderly government, Britain made the Commonwealth of the Bahamas a crown colony inward 1718 nether the imperial governorship of Woodes Rogers. After a hard struggle, he succeeded inward suppressing piracy. In 1720, Rogers led local militia to drive off a Castilian attack.
During the American War of Independence, the islands were a target for American naval forces nether the command of Commodore Ezekial Hopkins. US Marines occupied the working capital alphabetic lineament of Nassau for a fortnight. In 1782, next the British defeat at Yorktown, a Castilian fleet appeared off the coast of Nassau, together with the metropolis surrendered without a fight. Kingdom of Spain returned possession of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to Britain the next year, nether the terms of the Treaty of Paris. Before the word was received nevertheless the islands were recaptured past times a small-scale British forcefulness led past times Andrew Deveaux.
More blacks came with Loyalists—Americans who resisted the American War of Independence together with wanted to remain nether British rule. Most of these supporters of British dominion resided inward the southern colonies of the Carolinas together with Georgia which had closed ties to Britain because of the tobacco together with cotton fiber merchandise Condemned for their political desires, the Loyalists oft received harsh handling from the American rebels who often ridiculed, tarred together with feathered them, or
prevented them from purchasing goods, or fifty-fifty confiscated their land. While some Loyalists sold their belongings together with relocated to Canada, others left to laid out lives inward West Indian countries. Also, Eastern Florida, beingness British inward 1773, became the habitation of many Loyalists who took their slaves together with plantation lifestyle there. However, East Florida became Castilian territory over again after the
signing of the treaty of Versailles inward 1783. Following this, the British authorities gave the world inward the colonies to the Loyalists who had lost their possessions inward America; from this stemmed the migration of Loyalists to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward 1783. Some Loyalists came from New York together with migrated to the islands of Abaco together with Cat Island with many inundating the isle of New Providence betwixt 1784 together with 1785. Within those 2 years, betwixt half dozen together with vii M Loyalists arrived inward the Bahamas, causing the Bahamian population to increment from 4,000 inward 1783 to 11,300 inward 1789 together with the ratio of negroes to whites, which was equal before, to live 3 to one.
After the population of slaves grew with the oncoming of Loyalists to the Bahamas, the saccharide revolution increased the number of slaves inward the West Indian part significantly. The Spaniards introduced saccharide to the West Indies inward 1493 but it was Aguilon who inward 1505 crushed canes into saccharide together with began the saccharide manufacture inward the region(Greenwood & Hamber, 1979). As the saccharide demand inward Europe increased, the Spaniards needed laborers to supercede the Carib together with Arawak Indians whose population was speedily declining. They found a solution to this job inward West Africans who were seen every bit defenseless, inferior to Europeans, pagans who needed to live enslaved
together with acquire almost Christianity, together with an inexpensive, profitable source of labor. Antislavery groups, however, challenged the morality together with legality of slavery until slavery was declared illegal inward England inward 1772 past times the British Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield (Meditz & Hanratty, 1987a). Despite this declaration, the actual slave merchandise continued on legally until its abolition inward 1807. Meanwhile inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas some slave owners created manumission contracts for their slaves who could thereby go to purchase their freedom. Other slave owners inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas remained opposed to the abolition of slavery based non only on religious convictions but also on economical need. Opponents argued that slaves were needed to maintain the plantation economic scheme inward the production of cotton, tobacco, together with saccharide together with that inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas slaves were non beingness abused or overworked. Nonetheless, an deed passed inward 1833 inward the British Parliament went into upshot on August 1, 1834 together with forced the goal of slavery inward the British Caribbean.
Following this legal change, the apprenticeship arrangement was created inward monastic enjoin to facilitate the onset of freedom. So that plantations would non live straight off devoid of laborers, old slaves were forced to remain on the plantations for half dozen years piece their old owners were recompensed for “property” loss. However, the apprenticeship inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas together with other colonies came to an early on goal inward 1838 (Meditz & Hanratty, 1987b).
Even after the British slave merchandise had ended together with slavery together with apprenticeship inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas had ceased, blacks (Africans) continued to live relocated to the Bahama Islands. In the 1820s, hundreds of American slaves together with Black Seminoles escaped from Cape Florida to the Bahamas, settling mostly on northwest Andros Island, where they developed the hamlet of Red Bays. From eyewitness accounts, 300 escaped inward a bulk flying inward 1823, aided past times Bahamians inward 27 sloops, with others using canoes for the journey. This was commemorated inward 2004 past times a large sign at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Some of their descendants proceed Black Seminole traditions inward basketmaking together with grave marking.
British colonial officials also freed 78 American slaves from the Enterprise, which went into Bermuda inward 1835; together with 38 from the Hermosa, which wrecked off Abaco isle inward 1840, after abolition was effective inward August 1834. The most notable representative was that of the Creole inward 1841, the outcome of a slave revolt whose leaders ordered the American brig to Nassau. It was carrying 135 slaves from Virginia destined for sale inward New Orleans. The Bahamian officials freed the 128 slaves who chose to remain inward the islands. The Creole representative has been described every bit the "most successful slave revolt inward US history".
These incidents, inward which a total of 447 slaves belonging to American nationals were freed past times 1842, increased tension betwixt the U.S. together with Great Britain, although they had been cooperating inward patrols to suppress the international slave trade. Worried almost the stability of its domestic slave merchandise together with its value, the US argued that Britain should non care for its domestic ships that came to its colonial ports nether duress, every bit portion of the international trade. The US worried that the success of the Creole's slaves inward gaining liberty would encourage to a greater extent than slave revolts on merchant ships.
Modern political evolution began after the Second World War. The showtime political parties were formed inward the 1950s. The British Parliament authorized the islands every bit internally self-governing inward 1964, with Sir Roland Symonette, of the United Bahamian Party, every bit the showtime Premier.
In 1967, Lynden Pindling (Sir Lynden from 1983), of the Progressive Liberal Party, became the showtime dark Premier of the colony; inward 1968 the championship of the seat was changed to Prime Minister. In 1973, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas became fully independent every bit a Commonwealth realm, retaining membership inward the Commonwealth of Nations. Sir Milo Butler was appointed the showtime Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (the official representative of Queen Elizabeth II) shortly after independence.
In May 2012, old Prime Minister Perry Christie led the Progressive Liberal Party dorsum to mightiness past times defeating Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s Free National Movement. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 1 of the Caribbean’s most prosperous nations.
Bahamian international supermodel together with actress, Shakara Ledard in a peachy pose for her Country
Bahamian Cultural Identity
As the pop proverb goes “to consummate your identity, y'all must pick out your ethnic affiliation,” The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has non experienced racial disharmony to the flat that has been witnessed inward parts of American history together with social development.
Sidney Poitier, Bahamian
Like inward America, however, race together with ethnicity inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas withdraw hold together with proceed to live used every bit a agency of distinguishing peoples residing inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas (although Bahamians seat themselves past times several factors such every bit sex, historic flow religious denomination or political affiliation).
No 1 black-and-white dichotomy exists amidst Bahamians. Rather, Glinton-Meicholas (1994), inward her satirical description of Bahamian life, describes that:
"[h]ere, only 3 racial groups are accepted every bit true-true Bahamians: black,
conchy-joe, Long Island or Eleuthera red. We recognize 2 groups of
‘Bahamians’: greeks together with chinese together with 2 groups of ‘permanent residents’-
‘hyshuns’ together with expatriates.
If y'all wishing to live a true-true Bahamian, beingness called ‘white’ is the buss of death.
If nosotros telephone phone y'all ‘white’, it agency that nosotros consider y'all a foreigner or a tourist (pp.
109-110)."
True truthful Bahamian, "King" Eric Gibson – entrepreneur together with musician; semi-official Ambassador of Bahamian Goodwill.
According to Glinton-Meicholas (1994), Blacks, regardless of colour, may live anyone whose surname is a pop dark name, who works every bit a civil servant, or lives “over-the-hill.” Conchy-Joes, on the other hand, withdraw hold Caucasian physical features, deport pop surnames together with heritage descending from the islands of Abaco or Northern Eleuthera, together with ain successful businesses on Bay Street (a pop business organisation expanse historically known every bit dominated past times non-blacks). In betwixt the hues associated with blacks together with conchy-joes are those Bahamians whom Glinton-Meicholas (1994) has termed every bit Long Island or Eleuthera Red (or but “red” every bit to a greater extent than often than non described past times most Bahamians). These Bahamians “are of the [C]aucasian persuasion, but withdraw hold closed relatives who appear to withdraw hold to a greater extent than java than cream inward their genetic brew,” withdraw hold surnames together with heritage descending from Long Island or Eleuthera, together with are known for having a potent go ethic.
Apart from those sub-groups of “true-true Bahamians” described above, are “Bahamians” whose origins tin can live to a greater extent than clearly traced to farther, unusual regions, peculiarly Asia together with Greece, rather than straight off traced to 1 of the Bahamian islands. Because of this divergence inward roots, persons of Asian or Greek descent are non to a greater extent than often than non considered every bit “true-true Bahamians.”
Lenny Kravitz, actor, multi-instrumentalist, music arranger, tape producer together with stone singer-songwriter; boy of Bahamian woman Roxie Roker
Besides “true-true Bahamians” together with “Bahamians” are those who are to a greater extent than often than non not considered to belong to The Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward whatever way, regardless of their economical or social contributions or the amount of years spent living inward this country. These persons are usually categorized every bit “hyshuns” (Haitians, pronounced inward a shape of Bahamian dialect) together with expatriates (persons from other countries, peculiarly North America together with Europe) who descend from none of the Bahamian islands.
Nassau-Born Bahamian, Dr. Myles Munroe the president together with founder of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI)and Myles Munroe International (MMI), a Christian growth together with resources middle that includes leadership preparation institutes, a missions agency, a publishing company, a tv set network, radio together with Web communications, together with a church building community.( He is master copy executive officeholder together with chairman of the board of the International Third World Leaders Association together with president of the International Leadership Training Institute. He is the author of 23 books together with is a motivational speaker)
Expatriates are often viewed past times “true truthful Bahamians” every bit beingness detached from the residue of the society past times their refusal to associate themselves with ordinary Bahamian citizens. Negative stereotypes together with a full general dislike of “hyshuns” amidst many Bahamians withdraw hold lent to the exclusion of Haitians inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas every bit belonging to the collective ideal of beingness Bahamian. These
stereotypes are based on the catch that the influx of pitiable Haitian immigrants has strained the occupation marketplace together with social services offered past times the government.
Etta Cameron, Bahamian together with a jazz singer; based inward Denmark; front-runner of the Danish 1970s together with 1980s music scene
As a cultural insider, Glinton-Meicholas (1994) has captured the catch of how average Bahamians to a greater extent than often than non seat themselves together with others residing inward The Bahamas.
In her addition of ethnic identification amidst Bahamians, she describes that:
"Like most Bahamian attitudes, race relations inward The Commonwealth of the Bahamas withdraw hold 2 faces. On
the 1 hand, 1 of the virtues of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a flat of racial harmony,
unheard of elsewhere inward this world. We tin can socialize together inward public places,
together with go together with noticeable goodwill. On the other hand, piece nosotros cook
peas together with rice together inward the same pot, the 2 remain quite separate, but together
create a dish that does non appal the tummy (Glinton-Meicholas, 1994, p. 124)."
The interaction amidst Bahamians of dissimilar racial/ethnic backgrounds has undoubtedly affected the formation of Bahamian cultural identity together with how this topic is to a greater extent than often than non approached; so, too, has the distribution of the world around the archipelago. In the representative of The Bahamas, the islands non only render a indicate of reference for determining one’s “Bahamianness” together with roots, but also influence how Bahamian civilisation is expressed on each isle due to variations inward geographical province of affairs together with access to resources.
Moreover, non only do Bahamians’ perceptions of themselves influence the way they
culturally seat themselves, but also their internalization of foreigners’ perceptions of
them, namely tourists.
Bahamians performing traditional folkloric dance
Economy
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 1 of the Caribbean’s most prosperous nations. Tourism generates almost one-half of all jobs together with accounts for to a greater extent than than threescore per centum of GDP. Financial together with business organisation services business organisation human relationship for to a greater extent than than one-third of GDP. Due to its geographic location, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas often serves every bit a major transshipment indicate for drug smugglers together with illegal aliens seeking to come inward the United States.
The Bahamas’ economical liberty score is 69.8, making its economic scheme the 36th freest inward the 2014 Index. Its overall score has decreased past times 0.3 point, with a notable reject inward liberty from corruption outweighing a gain inward merchandise freedom. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is the fourth freest out of 29 countries inward the South together with Central America/Caribbean region, together with its overall score remains higher than the regional together with world averages.
Successful Bahamian Tourist economy: 5-Day Commonwealth of the Bahamas & Key West Cruise from Jacksonville Carnival Cruise Line
Over the 20-year history of the Index, The Bahamas’ economical liberty has deteriorated past times 2 points. Although the score for merchandise liberty has improved past times over thirty points, declines withdraw hold occurred inward half dozen of the 10 economical freedoms, notably belongings rights together with business organisation freedom, which plummeted xx points or more. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas had been a “mostly free” economic scheme during the showtime fifteen years but has been on a declining path of economical liberty since 2009 together with has dropped into the ranks of the “moderately free” inward the 2014 Index.
The isle economic scheme is equipped with a dynamic fiscal sector together with has a competitive revenue enhancement regime. There are no personal income or corporate taxes. However, a pitiable investment framework, characterized past times authorities interference together with lingering corruption, continues to undermine the Bahamas’ overall economical liberty together with long-term prospects for broader-based economical expansion.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has some of the world’s lowest revenue enhancement rates, with no private or corporate income taxes or value-added taxes (VATs). Instead, the authorities imposes national insurance taxes, belongings taxes, tariffs, together with a postage stamp tax. The overall revenue enhancement burden is 16.4 per centum of gross domestic output. Government spending is 23 per centum of the total economy, together with public debt amounts to almost 50 per centum of GDP.
An efficient regulatory framework to a greater extent than often than non facilitates business organisation formation together with productivity growth, but the absence of major regulatory reforms inward recent years has undermined the Bahamas’ international competitiveness. Hiring together with dismissal regulations are non burdensome, together with the influence of unions is limited. The authorities influences domestic prices for such “breadbasket” items every bit medicines, gasoline, together with crude gas.
Disney Cruise Line’s Nassau Commonwealth of the Bahamas Excursions
Commercial Activities. Most consumer goods are imported. Farming is unimportant except for a small-scale amount of subsistence gardening inward out-island settlements.
Commercial farming of cotton, pineapples, together with sisal has had fiddling success. Commercial angling is moderately important, with most of the withdraw take hold of frozen together with exported. Sponge angling is nearly defunct. Cottage industries that make straw, shells, together with wooden items cater to local residents together with tourists. Hotels, casinos, restaurants, together with sport angling businesses are common.
Major Industries. Manufacturing is unimportant except for a few oil refineries together with small-scale factories. Offshore banking together with finance are of import because favorable revenue enhancement together with corporate laws withdraw hold been established together with widely promoted.
Trade. Most consumer goods are imported. Goods such every bit pharmaceuticals, rum, crawfish together with cement are exported. The major trading partners are the United States, the United Kingdom, together with Canada.
Tourists inward The Bahamas. Courtesy bahamasphotographer.net
Division of Labor
The authorities is the largest employer. Out-island children go with their parents or grandparents when they are non inward schoolhouse or at play. In towns together with cities, children from poorer families may go every bit street vendors or do strange jobs. Some occupations are unionized, together with unions are an of import force. Skilled trades such every bit fishing, carpentry, together with masonry go tend to live theater unit of measurement specializations. Small businesses transcend from generation to generation within families.
Social Stratification
Classes together with Castes. The upper shape consists of wealthy business organisation owners, corporate managers, professionals, high-ranking authorities officials, together with some unusual citizens. Historically, this shape was composed of Britons, white Bahamians, light-skinned Bahamians of mixed race, together with a few Americans together with Canadians. Most were self-consciously British inward speech communication together with behavior. The upper shape today includes many to a greater extent than residents of African ancestry. Emulation of the old colonial elite is less common.
The middle shape consists of small-scale business organisation owners, some professionals, civil servants, together with lower-level corporate managers. Most members of this shape are of African ancestry, but some are of European together with Asian ancestry. Degrees from Bahamian together with American colleges are increasingly common. The lower shape is the nation's largest together with includes roughly equal numbers of urban together with out isle residents. Almost all the members of this shape are of African ancestry. Lower-class Bahamians include fishermen, farmers, laborers, skilled tradespeople, together with others who do low-status physical work. Some withdraw hold high schoolhouse diplomas, but many withdraw hold lower levels of educational attainment together with are perceived every bit pitiable but respectable. The lowest stratum is an underclass that consists of the chronically unemployed together with Haitian refugees. Most members of the underclass live inward the to the lowest degree desirable together with "respectable" sections of the Nassau metropolitan area. They are found inward smaller numbers inward some out-island communities. Few withdraw hold a high schoolhouse diploma.
Bahamian adult woman of Nassau wearing her Jonkanoo celebration costume
Symbols of Social Stratification. The distinction betwixt old coin together with novel coin is non critically important. University degrees, especially from private institutions inward Britain together with the United States, are common. Most upper-class residents are inward the exclusive neighborhoods of Nassau, although some withdraw hold additional homes inward the out islands or abroad. Middle-class people live inward "respectable" Nassau neighborhoods or out-island settlements. Many regularly wing to Florida for shopping together with entertainment.
Political Life
Government. The Commonwealth is a constitutional, parliamentary commonwealth with universal suffrage for citizens historic flow 18 together with older. The British monarch is recognized every bit the caput of province together with is represented past times the governor-general, but executive mightiness is vested inward the prime number minister. Primary legislative ascendancy resides with an elected House of Assembly together with an appointed Senate. The judicial arrangement includes magistrates' courts, the Supreme Court, together with the Court of Appeals. Local authorities is an extension of the federal authorities with management inward the hands of appointed district commissioners.
Leadership together with Political Officials. There are 2 major political parties: the Free National Movement (FNM) together with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Ideologically, both parties are centrist, with the PLP somewhat to the left of the FNM on most social issues. The personalities of politicians together with their relationships with constituents are to a greater extent than of import than political philosophy. Most people elected to the House of Assembly since independence withdraw hold been middle-aged men of African ancestry with academy degrees together with successful careers inward police clit and/or business. House members demand non reside inward their districts but usually see frequently. Political officials are expected to live accessible to their constituents through occupation visits together with the mail.
Administrative Divisions: The districts of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas render a arrangement of local authorities everywhere except New Providence (which holds 70% of the national population), whose affairs are handled direct past times the primal government. In 1996, the Bahamian Parliament passed "The Local Government Act" to facilitate the establishment of Family Island Administrators, Local Government Districts, Local District Councillors, together with Local Town Committees for the diverse isle communities. The overall goal of this deed is to allow the diverse elected leaders to regulation together with oversee the affairs of their respective districts without the interference of Central Government. In total, in that location are 38 districts, with elections beingness held every v years. There are also 1 hundred together with 10 Councillors together with 2 hundred together with eighty-one Town Committee members to correspond with the diverse districts.
Each Councillor or Town Committee fellow member is responsible for the proper occupation of public funds for the maintenance together with evolution of their constituency.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas uses left manus drive traffic rules throughout the Commonwealth.
The districts other than New Providence are:
Acklins Berry Islands Bimini
Black Point,Exuma Cat Island Central Abaco
Central Andros Central Eleuthera City of Freeport, Grand Bahama
Crooked Island East Grand Bahama Exuma
Grand Cay, Abaco Harbour Island, Eleuthera Hope Town, Abaco
Inagua Long Island Mangrove Cay, Andros
Mayaguana Moore's Island, Abaco North Abaco
North Andros North Eleuthera Ragged Island
Rum Cay San Salvador South Abaco
South Andros South Eleuthera Castilian Wells, Eleuthera
West Grand Bahama Green Turtle Cay
Military: The Commonwealth of the Bahamas does non withdraw hold an regular army or an air force. Its military machine is composed of the Royal Commonwealth of the Bahamas Defence Force (the R.B.D.F.), the navy of The Bahamas. Under The Defence Act, the R.B.D.F. has been mandated, inward the call of The Queen, to defend The Bahamas, protect its territorial integrity, patrol its waters, render assistance together with relief inward times of disaster, maintain monastic enjoin inward conjunction with the police clit enforcement agencies of The Bahamas, together with carry out whatever such duties every bit determined past times the National Security Council. The Defence Force is also a fellow member of The Caribbean Area Community (CARICOM)'s Regional Security Task Force.
The R.B.D.F. officially came into existence on 31 March 1980. Their duties include defending The Bahamas, stopping drug smuggling, illegal immigration, poaching, together with providing assistance to mariners whenever together with wherever they can. The Defence Force has a fleet of 26 coastal together with inshore patrol arts and crafts along with 6 aircraft together with over 1500 personnel including 65 officers together with 74 women.
Social Control together with Problems. Bahamian police clit is based on English linguistic communication mutual police clit together with statute law. The police clit is enforced via the paramilitary Royal Commonwealth of the Bahamas Police Force together with federally appointed constables. Legal prosecution is carried out past times the attorney general's office. Informal social command occurs through peer pressure, gossip, together with fright of harmful magic known every bit obeah.Angelique Sabrina, Bahamian together with a teenage actor, dancer together with singer-songwriter
The archipelago is the concluding staging expanse for thousands of annual shipments of illegal drugs from South America together with the Caribbean Area to North America. Although illegal together with viewed every bit a social job past times many people, the drug merchandise is tolerated because it provides income. Money laundering together with related international crimes are widely viewed every bit beneficial together with are non criminalized. Crimes such every bit assault, robbery, together with homicide are dealt with routinely. Vigilante groups be but are non an of import aspect of social control.
Wendy Coakley-Thompson, Bahamian together with writer; author of the novels Back to Life (2004) together with What You Won't Do for Love (2005)
Gender Roles together with Statuses
Division of Labor past times Gender. Legally, women withdraw hold equal condition nether the law, but men tend to dominate the higher-income together with higher condition positions inward the public together with private sectors. Men dominate angling together with other maritime endeavors, the edifice trades, together with the transportation industry.
Bahamian people
The Relative Status of Women together with Men. Urban women withdraw hold many career opportunities together with are non discriminated against inward obvious ways. Women dominate fields such every bit nursing, simple schoolhouse teaching, together with occupation work. Out-island women tend to live farmers, shopkeepers, arts and crafts specialists, together with domestics when they are employed. Many self-identify every bit "housekeepers."
Afro-Bahamian Zoë Isabella Kravitz is an American actress, vocalist together with model. She is the only kid of instrumentalist Lenny Kravitz together with actress Lisa Bonet
Marriage, Family, together with Kinship
Marriage. Marriages are monogamous. In many out-island settlements, the options are spousal human relationship together with extra-residential unions. In larger towns together with cities, consensual unions exist. People are costless to select their spouses. Church weddings follow brief engagements. In principle, 1 should non get married a blood relative, but inward small-scale communities marriages betwixt kin to a greater extent than distantly related than showtime cousins are common.
A Nassau Commonwealth of the Bahamas wedding ceremony Bahamian trend is the Day 5 characteristic of Commonwealth of the Bahamas Destination's Commonwealth of the Bahamas wedding
In white-dominated out-island settlements, interracial marriages are stigmatized. Both partners are expected to contribute financially to a marriage. Divorces are available, although many couples but drift apart together with never legally terminate the union. There is no stigma attached to remarriage. H5N1 sexual double touchstone exists inward which women are supposed to live chaste until spousal human relationship together with faithful during spousal human relationship whereas men are expected to withdraw hold premarital together with extramarital affairs. Men are widely seen every bit inherently promiscuous.
Domestic Unit. The ideal is the nuclear theater unit of measurement household. In cases of extramarital unions, consensual unions, divorce, death, together with abandonment, matrifocal households are common. In poorer out-island settlements, parents may motility to urban areas to work, leaving their children inward the aid of grandparents. In nuclear theater unit of measurement households, ascendancy tends to live evenly divided betwixt the hubby together with the wife.
Inheritance. Sons together with daughters inherit from both parents. Inherited belongings includes land, houses, boats, together with household goods. Wills may favor 1 heir over another, but this is uncommon, especially inward the out islands.
Kin Groups. No formal kin groups larger than the theater unit of measurement exist. Adult siblings tend to appear after each other's interests together with oft operate shops or angling vessels together.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Atlantis Palm Point Beach Wedding. Courtesy www.markdacunha.com
Socialization
Infant Care. Infants are cared for past times their mothers. Both bottle feeding together with breast-feeding are accepted. Infants slumber inward the parents' chamber except amidst the to a greater extent than affluent, where a separate room is available. Infants are carried inward the arms, together with infant carriages are used. Caregivers attempt to calm crying or otherwise agitated infants.
Bahamian kid inward his Jonkanoo dress
Child Rearing together with Education. shopping together with household chores. Boys may go with their fathers but are often costless to play. Boys are taught to live fun-loving together with independent, piece girls are expected to live responsible together with to remain nether closed theater unit of measurement scrutiny. Corporal penalty together with threats are common. The literacy charge per unit of measurement is almost xc percent, together with public educational activity is available through local simple schools together with regional secondary schools. Private schools inward Nassau are available to wealthier families. In public schools, rote learning is common.
Higher Education. Since independence, higher educational activity has been stressed. The College of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward Nassau together with numerous technical schools render higher education, although unusual universities are pop amidst the to a greater extent than affluent.
Nassau, Commonwealth of the Bahamas - Junkanooers together with revellers relish the Independence People's Junkanoo Rush on Bay Street Sat morning, July 11, next the Fri nighttime celebrations on Clifford Park to grade The Bahamas' 37th
Religion
Religious Beliefs. Most residents are churchgoing Christians. About 80 per centum are Protestant, together with xx per centum are Roman Catholic. The largest Protestant denominations are Baptist together with Anglican. In line with their West African belief arrangement some Bahamians staunch devotees of Obeah. Obeah is an West African belief system brought to the Caribbeans past times African slaves mostly of Akan ethnicity. The Obeah belief is what is known every bit Akom to the Akans. It has chemical element of bush (herbal) medicine exercise together with it has been practiced since the times of slavery inward the Bahamas. It is silent used today to cure many diseases, using local plants.
Religious Practitioners. Large congregations are led past times ordained ministers together with priests, piece small-scale congregations are led past times unordained preachers. Obeah men are part-time specialists whose activities include placing together with removing curses, communicating with spirits, together with giving spiritual advice.
Rituals together with Holy Places. Most rituals are Christian services together with are held inward churches. Immersion baptisms together with revival meetings are held outdoors. Some Christian services include glossolalia, spirit possession, together with faith healing. Obeah rituals tend to live small-scale together with private.
Death together with the Afterlife
The dead are placed inward simple pino coffins, together with wakes are held at home. The wealthy purchase to a greater extent than expensive coffins together with occupation funeral parlors. Funerals are held inward churches, together with burials are inward churchyards or public cemeteries. It is believed that souls go to sky or hell, but some believe that ghosts wander earlier reaching their ultimate destination.
The Bahamians
Medicine together with Health Care
There is 1 large infirmary inward Nassau, together with over a hundred authorities clinics are scattered elsewhere. An air ambulance service transports out islanders to the infirmary inward emergencies. There are almost twelve-hundred people per physician, but nurses together with paramedics often serve every bit primary aid professionals, especially inward remote settlements. "Bush medicine" (herbal treatments) is silent found, but its popularity is declining.
Roxie Roker , Bahamian, actress; known for occupation on the tv set serial The Jeffersons and woman nurture of instrumentalist Lenny Kravitz
Food
Food inward Daily Life. Typical meals for urban residents consist of fruits together with vegetables, meat or fish, bread, together with rice. Out islanders tend to eat to a greater extent than fresh fruit, vegetables, together with fish. The 2 national dishes are conch, an easily collected bounding main snail, rice, together with peas. Poor people eat these foods because they are inexpensive together with readily available; the to a greater extent than affluent relish them every bit "heritage foods."
A waitress from Joe's Bar together with Grill served the establishment's specialty, Nellie's Bahamian Conch Fritters at a media reception for Jeffrey Poitier on Apr 24th, 2009. Photo: Lyndah Wells.
Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. Holiday meals tend to middle on local fish or conch, rice together with peas, baked goods, together with fresh fruit. Bahamian rum, local together with imported beer, soft drinks, tea, together with java are regularly consumed.
Music of the Bahamas
The music of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is associated primarily with junkanoo, a celebration which occurs on Boxing Day together with over again on New Year's Day. Parades together with other celebrations grade the ceremony. Groups similar The Baha Men, Ronnie Butler together with Kirkland Bodie withdraw hold gained massive popularity inward Japan, the U.S. together with other places.
Calypso
Calypso is a trend of Afro-Caribbean music which originated inward Trinidad together with Tobago. This shape of music has spread through many parts of the Caribbean, including the The Bahamas.
Soca
Soca is a shape of trip the lite fantastic toe music which originated from many calypso music. It originally combined the melodic lilting audio of calypso with insistent percussion (which is often electronic inward recent music) together with local chutney music. Soca music has evolved inward the lastly xx years primarily past times musicians from diverse Anglophone Caribbean Area countries including Trinidad, Guyana, Saint Vincent together with the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua together with Barbuda, U.S. Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Kitts together with Nevis, Jamaica together with Belize.
The 'Baha Men' are an English linguistic communication band playing a modernized trend of Bahamian Music called Junkanoo. Winners of the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, together with a Grammy every twelvemonth since for “Most Random Song Inexplicably Still Played At Sporting Events Free Of Irony” (a co-award shared with “Cotton-Eye Joe”).
Junkanoo
The give-and-take junkanoo is said to live derived from a Ghanaian leader, John Connu, or from the Qujo supreme deity (Canno) together with ancestral spirits (jannanin). The junkanoo was formerly practiced inward North Carolina together with remnants silent be inward Belize. It is most good known, though, from Nassau together with Freeport. Since the 1950s the influence of American civilisation has increased, mainly through TV together with radio broadcasts from Florida stations, together with other Caribbean Area styles withdraw hold made inroads: calypso, reggae together with soca, from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad, together with other islands. Tourism has also had an impact, bringing inward Japanese, European together with North Americans with their attendant forms of cultural expression. In this milieu to a greater extent than traditional Commonwealth of the Bahamas performers such every bit Joseph Spence, withdraw hold silent enjoyed successful careers playing junkanoo, Christian hymns together with the ant'ems of the local sponge fisherman, which include "Sloop John B", after made famous past times The Beach Boys.
Junkanoo celebration inward Nassau
Junkanoo's origins are obscure together with much-debated. Researchers similar E. Clement Bethel withdraw hold studied the number extensively, together with probable conclusions include that African slaves were allowed celebrations only around Christmas-time, together with chose to celebrate John Connu, a headman from 18th century Africa. Another theory is that the term derives from scrap metallic or other objects (junk) used to create the distinctive goombay drum. Similar celebrations 1 time existed cross the Caribbean Area together with inward North Carolina, but are at nowadays virtually extinct except inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas together with Belize.
Junkanoo costume, Boxing Day Parade, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
In 1973, the twelvemonth the Commonwealth of the Bahamas achieved independence from the United Kingdom, dark professionals of the middle together with upper classes began to dominate junkanoo celebrations. Costuming together with competitions became to a greater extent than complex together with commonplace, together with before long became a tourist draw.
Aside from beingness a type of drum, goombay is also a percussion music made famous past times Alphonso 'Blind Blake' Higgs, who played to tourists arriving at Nassau International Airport for several years. Rake-and-scrape music is a unique type of instrumental music made past times bending a saw together with scraping with a small-scale object, most typically a screwdriver; it is used to accompany dances derived from European forms similar polka together with waltz. Rake-and-scrape's popularity has been declining inward recent years, but performers similar Lassie Do together with the Boys proceed to maintain the tradition alive. Christian rhyming spirituals together with the ant'ems of sponge fisherman are at nowadays mostly dead traditions, decimated past times the arrival of pop music, a 1930s sponge blight together with other causes.
E. Clement Bethel's master's thesis on traditional Bahamian music was adapted for the phase past times his daughter, Nicolette Bethel together with Philip A. Burrows. Music of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas was showtime performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe inward 1991, together with was revived inward 2002 for fresh Bahamian audiences. H5N1 recording of that demo is available for sale from Ringplay Productions.
Bahamas
Rake together with scrape
Main article: Rake together with scrape music
Rake together with scrape music comes from the musical traditions of the Turks together with Caicos Islands, together with is characterized past times the occupation of a saw every bit the primary instrument. It was brought past times immigrants from those islands from the 1920s to almost the 1940s, who settled on Cat Island, together with elsewhere. Rake together with Scrape is traditionally used to accompany the Bahamian Quadrille together with the heel-toe polka all relics of the initial mixture of Africa together with Europe. Many of these Turks together with Caicos Islanders became some of the most famous musicians inward the Bahamas. Many eventually moved dorsum to their homelands, bringing with them junkanoo. Turks together with Caicos are at nowadays the instant habitation for junkanoo.
Junkanoo, Boxing Day Parade, Nassau, Bahamas
Organology of Instruments
Membranophones: The Goombay drum is main rhythmic constituent inward rake-n-scrape. It is also referred to a goatskin drum, every bit the pare of a caprine animal was stretched over a wooden barrel. It is decorated past times simple or complex geometric designs inward vivid colors. The drum is ever heated over dismiss to retain its tone. In 1971, when manufacturers started shipping products inward metallic barrels, Bahamians switched the drum to metal, slightly changing the tone of the drum.
"King" Eric Gibson – entrepreneur together with musician; semi-official Ambassador of Bahamian Goodwill.
Idiophones: The main constituent that makes Rake-N-Scrape unique is the occupation of the Carpenter's Saw. This musical instrument is scraped with a blast or butter knife. Bent against the torso of the participant together with flexed, diverse timbral effects are obtained. In to a greater extent than modern music, the saw is replaced with maracas or a guiro.
Aerophones: The pianoforte accordion is the constituent that adds the circular shape which enables dancers to trip the lite fantastic toe the band dance. This is of European descent. In to a greater extent than modern bands, it is replaced past times an electrical guitar or electronic keyboard.
Arts
Straw weaving Traditional crafts include straw go on islands (each 1 having a unique plaiting or braiding style) creating beautiful hats together with baskets.
This science was useful when Bahamians led subsistence lifestyles, with baskets beingness used for carrying fruit together with angling traps. Today, straw go together with wood carvings are produced together with sold to tourists inward Nassau's Straw Market.
Quilting: Quilting has been practiced on the isle of Castilian Wells for many generations.
Canvas art: Beautiful landscapes together with the vibrant houses together with peoples of the Bahamian archipelago withdraw hold inspired many artists, both native together with foreign. Some notable Bahamian artists include Amos Ferguson (deceased), Eddie Minnis, Brent Malone (deceased), Jackson Burnside (deceased), John Beadle together with John Cox.
Coral together with stone art: Hand carvings from coral fine art together with natural stone are cultivated from naturally occurring reef break-offs, beach erosions, outcrops, together with smoothen rocks.
Bahamian creative soul Khia Poitier is only xx years old, she's already made her grade on the Bahamian fine art scene—and she's headed for large things
Secular Celebrations
Ten public holidays are recognized: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter, Whit Mon (seven weeks after Easter), Labor Day (first Fri inward June), Independence Day (10 July), Emancipation Day (first Mon inward August), Discovery Day (12 October), Christmas Day, together with Boxing Day (26 December). Secular holidays tend to live celebrated with parades, speeches, together with concerts.
Bahamas National Youth Choir Performing For Post-Independence inward Nassau
Sport inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a pregnant portion of Bahamian culture. The national sport is sloop sailing where Durward Knowles together with Sloan Farrington picked upward the showtime Olympic medal (bronze) for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Durward Knowles also captured the country's showtime Olympic Gold medal along with Cecil Cooke during the 1964 Summer Olympics inward Sailing.
However the most pop spectator sports are those imported from U.S. such every bit basketball, American Football together with baseball game rather than Britain due to the country's closed proximity to the United States. Unlike their other Caribbean Area counterparts where cricket has proven to live to a greater extent than popular. Cricket has been played inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from 1846. It is the oldest sport beingness played inward the province today. The only other sporting lawsuit that began earlier cricket was Equus caballus racing, which started inward 1796. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Cricket Association was formed inward 1936 every bit an organised body. From the 1940s – 1970s, cricket was played alongside many Bahamians. Commonwealth of the Bahamas is non apart of the West Indies Board, thence players are non eligible to play for the West Indies cricket team.The belatedly 1970s saw the game laid out to reject inward the province every bit teachers, who had previously come upward from the UK with a passion for cricket were replaced past times teachers who had been trained inward the United States. The Bahamian Physical educational activity teachers had no knowledge of the game together with instead taught rails & field, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball together with soccer where primary together with high schools compete against each other. Today cricket is silent enjoyed past times a few locals together with immigrants inward the province usually from Jamaica, Guyana, Republic of Haiti together with Barbados. Cricket is played on Saturdays together with Sundays at Windsor Park together with Haynes Oval.
Anthonique Strachan Photo: Dean Greenaway
Dexter Cambridge, Rick Fox together with Ian Lockhart are a few Bahamians who joined Bahamian Mychal Thompson of the Los Angeles Lakers inward the NBA ranks. Over the years American football game has go much to a greater extent than pop than association football, though non implemented inward the high schoolhouse arrangement yet. Leagues for teens together with adults withdraw hold been developed past times the Commonwealth of the Bahamas American Football Federation. However association football, commonly known every bit soccer inward the country, is silent a really pop sport alongside high schoolhouse students. Leagues are governed past times the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Football Association. Recently the Bahamian authorities has been working closely with the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. to promote the sport inward the province every bit good every bit promoting the Commonwealth of the Bahamas inward the European market. In 2013 the Spurs became the showtime Premier League society to play an exhibition fit inward the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to confront the Jamaica national football game team. Joe Lewis the possessor of the Tottenham Hotspur society is based inward the Bahamas.
Other pop sports are swimming, lawn tennis together with boxing where Bahamians withdraw hold enjoyed some flat of success at the international level. Other sports such every bit golf, rugby league, rugby union together with beach soccer are considered growing sports. Athletics commonly known every bit rails together with plain inward the province is the most successful sport past times far alongside Bahamians. Bahamians withdraw hold a potent tradition inward the sprints together with jumps. Track together with plain is in all likelihood the most pop spectator sport inward the province side past times side to basketball game due to their success over the years. Bahamians withdraw hold gone on to win numerous rails together with plain medals at The Olympic Games, IAAF World Championships inward Athletics, Commonwealth Games together with Pan American Games. Frank Rutherford is the showtime athletics olympic medalist for the country. He won a bronze medal for triple fountain during the 1992 Summer Olympics. Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson, Chandra Sturrup, Savatheda Fynes together with Eldece Clarke-Lewis teamed upward for the showtime athletics Olympic Gold medal for the province when they won the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics. They are affectionately know every bit the "Golden Girls. Tonique Williams-Darling became the showtime athletics private Olympic gilt medalist when she won the 400m sprint inward 2004 Summer Olympics
Source:https://beardocs.baylor.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2104/5539/jennette_walkine_edd.pdf?sequence=1
http://danelliott.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/publication125_freetown.pdf
http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Bahama-Islands.html
Costumed drummers celebrate the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival similar celebration in
Nassau, Bahamas.
A adult woman costumed dancer celebrates the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival similar celebration inward Nassau, Bahamas.
Costumed dancers celebrate the New Year's Day with the Junkanoo Parade a carnival similar celebration inward Nassau, Bahamas.
Junkanoo is a street parade with music, is a national festival inward The Bahamas, which occurs inward many towns across The Commonwealth of the Bahamas together with The Turks together with Caicos Islands every Boxing Day (December
Land In Eleuthera
Shakara Ledard, Bahamian
Etta Cameron, Jazz sensation together with a Bahamian
Lenny Kravitz is of Bahamian ancestry
Lenny Kravitz is of Bahamian ancestry
Simone Cameron. Woman of Bahamian ancestry
The Bahamians: lenny kravitz together with his mother, roxie roker
Bahamian together with actress Persia White
Bahamian Persia White, actress
Songbird Trina whose existent call is Katrina Taylor has Bahamian ancestry
Bahamians: Etta Camerons together with søn, Steve Cameron
Bahamian supermodel, Shakara Ledard
Retired NBA star Rick Fox has Bahamian ancestry
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