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Although it
once existed along the East Coast of the United
States, especially around the Carolinas,the Junkanoo Parade today is celebrated
only in the Bahamas. It developed from a simple street
festival to a grand parade equaling other Pan-African festivals
like Mardi Gras and Carnival.
The Junkanoo parade is made of groups containing 500 to 1000 members
each. The groups are divided into three categories: Musicians,
Dancers and Costumers who compete for cash prizes and the title
of Best Junkanoo Group. The various groups take a year to plan for each
parade, coordinating their themes, costume designs, musical compositions
and choreographed dances.
The Junkanoo group above is waiting for the goat skins on their drums
to tighten before its members dress in elaborate full costumes.
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