Culture of the Bahamas

Bahamian culture is a hybrid of African, European, and other cultures. During the past thirty years the culture has become increasingly influenced by the Hip-Hop culture of United States.

Bahamian culture is related to other creole cultures throughout the Caribbean Basin, but also to the Gullah culture in coastal South Carolina and Georgia in the United States. Many Gullah people were taken to the Bahamas after the American Revolutionary War.

Music

Main article: Music of the Bahamas

Junkanoo music is indigenous to the people of The Bahamas. It is a type of street carnival which occurs on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1). This traditional celebration was started with an African slave by the name of John Canoe. Slaves were given a special holiday at Christmas time, when they could leave the work of the plantation behind and celebrate. The parades are characterized by spectacular costumes made of crepe paper and powerful rhythms beaten traditionally on goatskin drums (accompanied more recently with tom-tom drums or bongo drums) as well as rich brass bands and shaking cow bells. Bahamian music also incorporates other Caribbean forms such as Calypso, Trinidadian Soca and Jamaican Reggae, as well as American-inspired Rap and Hip Hop.

Calypso and Rake 'n' Scrape singers and bands such as Baha Men have gained massive popularity in Japan, the United States and elsewhere. Bahamian music continues to be enjoyed by the Bahamian public, with singers such as Ronnie Butler, "King" Eric Gibson, K.B, Macklyn, and the Brilanders.

Language

While English is the official language of The Bahamas, a vast majority of the population speaks Bahamian Dialect, which is a dialect of English intermediate between Standard English and Bahamian Creole. There are some minor regional differences from island to island in terms of pronunciation, but generally all are the same. The second most spoken language is Haitian creole, by the 30,000 to 60,000 Haitian migrants in The Bahamas, who also include a vast number of illegal Haitian Immigrants (as of 2005).

African influence

In Bahamian dialect, some African words and expressions have been retained, such as:

1. yinna - you (plural) (Yoruba)
2. jook (v.) - to stab or poke (Fulani).
3. nanny -(v.n.)- feces or the act of defecation (probably of Kongo origin, from the word nene, of similar meaning)
4. cut eye - an expression found in many Caribbean and Atlantic creoles, meaning to glare, literally squint or 'cut' your eyes /roll your eye
5. Jumbay - ghost, related to the Kongo word nzumbi of similar meaning
6. Yam - to eat, still in use in some southern and eastern islands, related to the African word nyam.

Religion

The population of the Bahamas is 95% Christian, of various denominations, primarily Baptist, Anglican and Catholic. There are more churches per capita than in any other country. Bahamians' religious enthusiasm and high regard for education are evidence of their Puritan heritage, derived from the Eleutheran Adventurers.

Storytelling

Storytelling and folklore played a large role in the traditional entertainment of Bahamian communities, particularly before the advent of modern television. Many of these highly amusing tales also carry wise lessons. Bahamian storytelling has witnessed some revival, through the works of Patricia Glinton Meicholas and other authors. Storytelling is one of the customs influenced by African cultures, eg in the stories of ber Bookie, ber Rabbi, etc.

Bush medicine

Bush medicine has been practiced since the times of slavery in the Bahamas. It is still used today to cure many diseases, using the plants found naturally occurring.

Arts

Straw weaving

Traditional crafts include straw work on most islands (each one having a unique plaiting or braiding style) creating beautiful hats and baskets.

This skill was useful when Bahamians led subsistence lifestyles, with baskets being used for carrying fruit and fishing traps. Today straw work, and wood carvings, are produced and sold to tourists in Nassau's Straw Market.

Quilting

Quilting has been practised on the island of Spanish Wells for many generations.

Canvas art

Beautiful landscapes and the vibrant houses and peoples of the Bahamian archipelago have inspired many artists, both native and foreign. Some notable Bahamian artists include Amos Ferguson (deceased), Eddie Minnis, Brent Malone, Jackson Burnside, John Beadle and John Cox.

Coral and stone art

Hand carvings from coral art and natural stone are cultivated from naturally occurring reef break-offs, beach erosions, outcrops, and smooth rocks.