Posted by: travadmin on Dec 12, 2003 – 02:48 PM
shows Throbbing bass drums, the rhythmic sounds of cowbells, and wild, dazzling colours ushered in the spirit of Junior Junkanoo Thursday evening.
Thousands of participants representing 16 schools put on an impeccable show for some 10,000 Bahamians at the 16th Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade.
If their presentation is any indication as to Junkanoo’s survival for the next generation of Bahamians, we can be rest assured that the most indigenous taste of our culture will be preserved.
The biggest surprise of the night was the energy, vitality, creativity and infectiousness of Ridgeland Primary’s Junkanoo performance which never missed a beat.
The group’s first-time participation in the parade was a show-stopping performance, bringing the crowd to its feet. Their theme: “Once Upon A Time, A Merry Old Time”, with a banner in the shape of a children’s book, covered in intricate beading patterns and pictures of characters from popular childhood stories.
The dancers delivered a power-packed, high energy routine while the school band pumped out the music that kept the crowd swaying.
National symbols
Woodcock Primary, the defending champions, would have been forced to agree that the competition was stiff, but they too did not fail to capture the hearts of the crowd.
Under the theme “Come Experience The Bahamas”, they burst onto Bay Street with cowbells and bass drums bellowing and dancers dressed in flamingo garb mimicking the unique appearance of the national bird.
Mable Walker Primary School showcased the Coat of Arms with participants dressed in the colours of the flag, with dancers gyrating while others “plaited” the maypole.
The bass drum section brought the crowd to their feet when they began walking on their knees while keeping the beat going.
Not ‘tone-deaf’
Another crowd pleaser was the Centre For the Deaf which rushed under the theme “Carin’ For We Se’f”.
Bay Street saw bright, fluorescent colours which caused one member of the crowd to say in awe, “They sure are pretty.”
Dancers wore vibrant satin skirts in shades of green, gold and pink, with headpieces showing a hand featuring sign language for “I love you.”
Although, hearing-impaired, dancers kept the beat as cowbellers and drummers stayed in sync.
Garden of delights
C. H. Reeves Junior High, the three-time defending champs gave the other participants a run for their money…with no change.
Featuring “Bahamian Gardens”, the group’s banner was rich in design portraying a Bahamian style wooden structure, fitted atop building blocks, with a farmer in a garden of ripe and green tomatoes and huge vegetables and a rooster crowing on a picket fence. The house had a lantern and rocking chair on the porch and real curtains in the window. It even had a huge lizard crawling on the side of its wall and the sun shining overhead.
The crowd was at its feet cheering ” C.H.!C.H.! C.H.!” Especially when the dancers came on the scene. Persons in the crowd chanted, “Shake it! Shake it! Shake it!”
The principal, Coleman Andrews, was dressed as a farmer and walked through students dressed like daisies and tulips and one with a huge shoulder piece bearing giant-sized hibiscuses and suckling hummingbirds.
The crowd chanted as the band became more audible and some people started sing to the tune of “Oh Happy Day”.
Some folks even began dancing in the street.
Tribute
D. W. Davis Junior High burst onto Bay Street under the theme, “A Festive Occasion in The Bahamas” with its banner intricately showing a scene of a Bahamian surrey ride, fitted with horse and carriage.
Their showstopper Junkanoo piece however, was a characterization of former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling and Lady Marguerite Pindling being chauffeured in a luxury car and waving to the crowd. The car was decorated in the colours of the national flag.
The group’s dancers were very well synchronized even though they were wearing heavy shoulder pieces. One male dancer seemed to have been touched by the “Junkanoo Spirit” as he danced with so much passion.
The band rendered heart thumping music that thundered in the hearts of spectators.
A marvelous display of Junkanoo prowess indeed!
Sponge bobs
North Andros High School seemed to have brought the whole island to participate in the parade as the comprised a large contingent of young people.
Packed with energy and ingenuity, the group took onlookers “Back To The Island” with Junkanooers wearing sponge skirt suits, flour bag and crepe paper outfits – with matching shoes.
In their banner was a woman plaiting straw while others danced around her symbolizing a corn field; fishermen in boats; a washer person with a tub, bleach, scrubbing board and cardboard clothes on a clothesline.
One student was also wearing a costume depicting the common use of bush medicine to cure all ills.
Dancers in straw-plaited outfits fascinated the crowd, while the brass section, although only comprised of six persons, made their presence felt – and heard.
Comic characters
Doris Johnson High participated in Junkanoo for the first time, making an impressive showing under the theme “Cartoons In The Bahamas”.
They featured characters such as Sponge Bob, Cinderella, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Zorro and Wonder Woman.
The band thrilled the crowd with “Oh Happy Day!”
30 years on
The Pacers of R.M. Bailey High School lit up Bay Street with their banner of the Bahamian Coat of Arms, depicting “30 Glorious Years of Nationhood. The True Colours of The Bahamas.”
Dancers were dressed in olden-day garb with airbrushed Coat of Arm shoulder pieces and canvas-like skirts designed with Bahamian symbols.
The pre-school division epitomized “cuteness” with toddlers from Funshine Academy, Kidz Care Pre-School, One On One Pre-School and St. Agnes Pre-School taking to Bay Street in attractive flamingo, parrot, straw doll costumes, and colours reflecting the Bahamian flag in celebration of The Bahamas’ 30 years of Independence.
Spiritual effect
The Harbour Island All-Age School burst on the scene in great numbers with attractive costumes made of sea shells and silver beads, transforming students into coral sea maidens.
Then came the dancing cherubims, dressed in white, and fitted with cardboard feather wings.
Their theme was “All God’s Creations”, and when the band stepped onto the scene, there was only one word to describe the music that permeated the atmosphere – “heavenly”.
They played tunes such as “Down By The Riverside” as dancers showcased the Bible, crucifixes and candles.
Mesmerizing performance
Prime Minister Perry Christie and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe took front row seats and reveled in the creativity and passion displayed by the youthful performers.
According to Mr Wilchcombe, “This is absolutely fantastic, well-organized and the youngsters obviously prepared well, and it was very well executed. It is important to them and so this is obviously important to the calendar year, and so it is important that we all appreciate that and do all we possibly can to ensure that this event is held.
“Each year, it just becomes that much better and it is wonderful evening and we’re very excited about it.”
Some tourists approached Mr Christie after the event and after congratulating him on having “such a wonderful country with such a unique display of culture”, took pictures with him.
International rapport
Mr Wilchcombe also noted that one of the owners of the Miami Dolphins helped to sponsor the Harbour Island All-Age School Junkanoo Group and was in attendance at Thursday’s parade.
“We’re talking about using something that can help to promote our country. What people are seeing is the interaction of Bahamians, our enthusiasm, our excitement. They are seeing what makes us Bahamian. I have always said that Junkanoo is the beat that gives The Bahamas its rhythm,” he said.
Chinese Ambassador Jiao Dongcun, trying to get in step with the Junkanoo rhythms, and obviously thrilled by the wonder of it all, said, “I enjoyed it very much. This is my first time, so I am not an expert but I am trying to get it. So on the 26th I will be here.”
The next parade is on Boxing Day.
By Vanessa Rolle, The Nassau Guardian