Christmas and New Year in The Bahamas would not be complete without Junkanoo.

In the wee hours of the morning, on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas, December 26th), Bahamians of all sorts join tourists from around the world to participate in one of the oldest cultural rituals in The Bahamas. The streets of Nassau are lit like a stage. Most of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are cheerfully patrolling the street, making it the safest place to be in The Bahamas. Huge floodlights paint the downtown area where thousands of spectators line Bay Street, standing excitedly behind metal railings.

First, there is the music, a pulsating, pounding beat slowly getting louder. Then, the splash of color at the end of the street. Gyrating, flashing, glittering color coming closer and closer. Within minutes, it is upon you. The street bursts into a cornucopia of color and sound. A dazzling display of vibrantly colored costumes and the pulsating rythym of the drums and the horns envelopes you. Suddenly, it is inside you, like you are in some kind of hypnotic trance. Your body starts swaying to the music, curving, swerving, pulsating with the beat. Even if you can't dance, or have never danced before, you are suddenly in perfect synch with the kaliks of the cowbells and the beat of the goat-skin drums.

This is Junkanoo, and Christmas in The Bahamas wouldn't be complete without Junkanoo bands "rushing" in the streets.

Most Bahamians believe the exotic ritual came from "John Canoe," the name of an African tribal chief who demanded the right to celebrate with his people even after being brought to the West Indies in slavery. It is believed that this festival began during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The slaves were given a special holiday at Christmas time, when they could leave the plantations to be with their family and celebrate the holidays with African dance, music and costumes. After emancipation, they continued this tradition and, today, Junkanoo has evolved from its simple origins to a formal, more organized parade with sophisticated, intricate costumes, themed music and incentive prizes.

This year's Junkanoo Parades promise to be better than ever. Everyone is invited to join in the party and sing and dance along. It takes two-four hours to view all entries, but don't leave just yet. It's even better the second time around.

Courtesy of BahamasTravel.info