What Does It Mean To Be Bahamian?

Today is the first of July. This is the month The Bahamas celebrates independence. It is the month we wear our national colors, black, gold and aquamarine. It is the month we put flags on our cars, we listen to Bahamian music on the radio and not change the station, attend national festivities and decorate our homes in full regalia.

Both founders of MWMs are Bahamian. As a result, it is only fitting that we too celebrate our nation. For the next ten days we will celebrate being Bahamian. Because as they say on a popular Saturday talk show, 
"WE ARE PROUD TO BE BAHAMIAN"

courtesy of thesignmanblog.com

 If there is one thing that every Bahamian can have a discussion about whether they are a participant or a viewer, is Junkanoo. Junkanoo is 'Us'! We are 'Junkanoo'.

Me as a Wedding Crasher New Year's Day 2011

We have our favourite group, we dance to the beat of the back line, we attend the parade and sit for hours, we lay in bed and watch on ZNS or we rush and collapse on Elizabeth Avenue after the first lap.

Whoever we are, wherever we are, Junkanoo is The Bahamas!

Eric and I are Junkanoos. Notice I did not say we are Junkanooers. We don't "do" Junkanoo; we do "practice" Junkanoo. It is a part of us...we ARE Junkanoo. Before marriage we rushed. It was only a coincidence we rushed for the same group.

My second big rush, New Year's Day 2004 choreographed section

Boxing Day 2012...I was actually sick as a dog, but I still rushed (in my pearls).

Here are the top ten experiences related to Junkanoo. Either you have lived this or you know someone who has lived this thing we called JUNKANOO!


Top Ten Junkanoo Experiences

10. Going to Junkanoo practice at midnight like you don't have anything else to 
    do but stand next to complete strangers that are dancing just like you in the
    name of Junkanoo.

9. Having a heated discussion about why your group is the best whether you 
   know they looked like crap during the parade.

8. STING!

7. Shouting your group name to the top of your lungs during the parade on Bay 
    Street in support, as if you contributed to any of the costumes.

6. A HOT GLUE BURN! 

5. Sleeping the entire day after the parade as if you just rushed!

4. Sleeping the entire day after the parade because you just rushed!

3. ELIZABETH AVENUE! GATORADE!!!!

2. Seeing the barricades and bleachers being installed on Shirley and Bay 
    Street and knowing you haven't begun your Christmas Shopping if you aren't
    a Junkanoo. If you are a Junkanoo, seeing those bleachers and knowing
    you haven't started your costume.

1. Sitting on the bleachers for hours every year even if during the last parade 
   you swore you would never attend again because, "This is taking too long
   man, I ready to go!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAHAMAS! It's time to go to BAY!

Until I rush again,
Tiffany