What are Junkanoo costumes made out of?

Junkanoo costumes are made from cardboard, crepe paper, aluminum rods, tie wire, contact cement and lots of glue. Notably, in Junkanoo’s early days, slaves in the Bahamas made their costumes from any material they could find, such as shrubs, leaves, stones, bottles and paper.

What are Bahamian Junkanoo masks made of?

flour paste
The expression of Junkanoo is shown off in the costumes. The first set of costumes were masks made from flour paste and colorful crepe paper over the body. The costumes have now evolved to ecstatic works of art made from crepe paper that is carefully glued to fabric, wood or cardboard.

What is Bahamian Junkanoo?

Junkanoo, named after the West African John Canoe Festival, originated in the Bahamas around the 17th century as a masquerade. Slaves with their faces hidden under a flour paste, celebrated on Boxing Day and the day after Christmas. Today, as a cultural expression, Junkanoo is highly revered.

Who celebrates Junkanoo?

The Bahamas
Junkanoo is a cultural dance and music celebration unique to The Bahamas that dates back hundreds of years. Its history is hotly contested and there are several theories about its origins. One is that it is named in tribute to John Canoe, an African tribal chief.

What is Bahamian culture?

The Bahamas has a distinct culture which has evolved over generations, from a mixture of mostly African, combined with some British and American influences, which developed into a unique and colourful style of Bahamian self-expression. Bahamians are best described as easy-going, friendly and hospitable.

What is Jonkonnu in Jamaica?

John Canoe is mainly a Jamaican traditional band of masqueraders who appear in towns or villages during the Christmas season. It has other variations in spelling such as, ‘Junkanoo’ or ‘Jonkonnu’, or is typically referred to as ‘muskorate’ (meaning ‘masquerade’).

Why is Junkanoo important?

Junkanoo is a Bahamian cultural celebration that includes dance, music, spirituality, and a celebration of freedom. In its purest form, it was how the slaves expressed jubilation from the their lives of captivity. Junkanoo has been an important part of the development of Bahamian culture.

What kind of clothes do Bahamians wear?

Casual Attire While locals wear flip-flops, cut-off jeans shorts and T-shirts with all manner of logos, visitors at the swankier hotels or out to dine in casual restaurants more typically don brand-name tennis shoes, polo shirts and cargo pants.