Junkanoo is the National Festival of the Bahamas, it represents our Culture and our Heritage.  Junkanoo originated during the days of slavery when the slaves were given time off to celebrate the holidays with African dance, music and costume. The festival is named after “JOHN CANOE”, an African tribal chief who demanded the right to celebrate with his people even after being brought to the West Indies in slavery. Junkanoo today is a traditional rally to cowbells, whistles and goat-skin drums as costumed revelers dance away.