Our Local Customs

Art/Music/Dance

Self-expression. It is at the core of every Bahamian. Whether through our colorful art, lively music or soulful dancing, it is a part of each of us. And it reflects the beauty of our islands. The pride we have for our home and in each other.

Music plays a big part in Bahamian culture. Throughout our islands, you’ll hear traces of African rhythms, Caribbean Calypso, English folk songs and our unique Bahamian Goombay traditional music, which combines African musical traditions with European colonial influences. Goombay can be traced back to slavery and is storytelling and dancing performed to a fast-tempoed “goom-bahhh” beat on a goatskin drum.

African slaves had very few resources to create instruments. Rake and scrape bands had drums made out of a pork barrel and goatskin, a carpenter’s saw that was scraped with a metal file, maracas, rhythm sticks, and a bass violin made from a washtub and string. Today, rake and scrape bands use modern instruments mixed with saws and goatskin drums. 

Bahamian Cuisine

Being an international destination, you can rest assured that you can find any type of food here. But while you’re here, give your taste buds a chance to discover Bahamian cuisine. It’s spicy and uniquely flavored.

Seafood is the staple of our diet. Fresh conch scored with a knife and sprinkled with lime juice and spices is delicious. Other delicacies you’ll enjoy are land crabs and the Bahamian “rock lobster.” We also love fresh fish, especially boiled fish served with grits. Many dishes here are served with pigeon peas and rice mixed with spices, tomatoes and onions.

Wash down our cuisine with a cold beverage like a Kalik or Sands, beers of The Islands Of The Bahamas, a Bahama Mama, or Goombay Smash. There’s also a Bahamian favorite that we call “Sky Juice,” coconut water blended with sweet milk and gin. And don’t forget to try Switcher, a refreshing drink made from native limes.

Bush Medicine

Bush medicine is using indigenous plants for medicinal purposes. It’s a tradition African slaves brought with them when they came here. There are almost 100 plants found here that can be used for medical treatment. Examples include aloe vera, crab bush, fig leaf, sailors' flowers and white sage.

Junkanoo

Junkanoo is uniquely Bahamian and exists nowhere else. It’s an incredibly energetic, colorful parade made up of brightly costumed Bahamians dancing and “rushin” to the music of cowbells, drums, horns and whistles. It is widely believed that Junkanoo was created by John Canoe, an African tribal chief who demanded the right to celebrate with his people even after he was brought to the West Indies as a slave.

Celebrated since the 16th or 17th century, today Junkanoo has grown into an organized event with groups of up to 1,000 persons competing for cash prizes for best music, best costume, dancer, banner and best overall group presentation. Traditionally held on New Year’s Day, Boxing Day and Independence Day, parades are also held during the annual “Junkanoo Summer Festival” and the “Just Rush” competition. In addition, many hotels offer Junkanoo shows for their guests throughout the year.

Public Holidays

We celebrate the following Public Holidays here:

(Junkanoo Parades take place in most islands.)

Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
This Religious Holiday marks the end of the Lenten Season and is the first day of a long holiday weekend which includes the following Monday after Easter Sunday. On this holy day most Bahamians attend church services and serve fish as their main meal of the day.

Easter Monday (Monday after Easter Sunday)
This Holiday marks the beginning of the Beach Picnicking season for Bahamians. There are also many cookouts in Public Parks on the Nassau waterfront; homecomings and regattas are held in some Out Islands.

Whit Monday (Seventh Monday after Easter)
This Holiday marks the beginning of public witness of the Christian Church and is the Monday after Whit Sunday, The Feast of Pentecost, which comes 50 days after Easter.

Labor Day (First Friday in June)
On this Holiday, members of the Labour Unions from different organizations as well as Political Parties march in a large parade through the streets of Downtown Nassau, usually in colourful uniforms, beginning around 10:00 a.m. Local bands and a few junkanooers lead the parades, providing lively music for the marchers and spectators. The parade ends at the Southern Recreation Grounds, where Union Leaders and local politicians deliver speeches. Most Bahamians spend the afternoon relaxing or visiting beaches.

Independence Day (July 10th)

Emancipation Day/August Monday (First Monday in August)

This holiday celebrates the emancipation of slavery in the British Colonies in 1834. The holiday is celebrated with a Junkanoo Rush-out, a day of beaching, sailing, and regattas in New Providence and the Out Islands.  In New Providence old slave villages such as Gambier in the west and Fox Hill in the east have their own special celebrations.

Discovery/Columbus Day

Recently there has been a drive to change the name of this Holiday from Columbus Day to Hero’s Day in honour of Bahamian National Heroes. To this end a small ceremony is held in Rawson Square, downtown Nassau, in honour of Bahamian National Heroes.

Christmas Day

Boxing Day
(Junkanoo Parades take place in some islands.)
This holiday was granted to the slaves the day after Christmas when they were given the boxes left over from their master’s gifts.  These boxes usually were sent from England and were well crafted from fine wood. Hence the Holiday is known as Boxing Day.
 

Please note:

• Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are usually celebrated on the following Monday.
• Holidays falling on Tuesday are usually celebrated on the previous Monday. 
• Holidays falling on Wednesday or Thursday are celebrated on the following Friday (with the exception   of Independence Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
• Banks/businesses (and many shops) are closed on public holidays.
 

Religion

Religion is important in the lives of the Bahamian people. Even small communities have several churches. Our religious devotion is evidence of the Eleutheran Adventurers and their Puritan influences.

Straw Market

Explore one of our straw markets and bring home a piece of Bahamian culture. You’ll find handmade hats, mats, baskets, woodcarvings and guava jellies. Test your bargaining skills and get a good deal on a great piece.