Caribbean Beat — November/December 2018 (#154)

need to know
jason rothe/alamy stock photo
Preparing the garland of firecrackers
at Paramaribo’s Owru Yari
Below In the heat of Nassau’s
Junkanoo rush
Must Try
New Year celebrations
In New York City, the iconic ball drop over Times Square welcomes the New
Year. Over in Hong Kong, the transition is marked by a dazzling display of
fireworks. Popping Champagne, counting down, or reflecting and giving thanks
at church services are other popular traditions around the world. As 2018
comes to a close, and the ink on your resolution list begins to dry, here are
three exciting ways to see in 2019 across the Caribbean.
courtesy bahamas ministry of tourism
Owru Yari
Paramaribo, Suriname
31 December
On the morning of the last day of the
year, downtown Paramaribo is closed
off to traffic. Bleachers and platforms
line the streets, drink and food vendors
fit into even the smallest crevice, and
live bands and sound systems fill the air
with music. In the midst of it all, small
red firecrackers woven into a huge
garland run for almost a mile through
the main streets. As noon approaches,
police officers clear the way and people
automatically reach for their earplugs.
The loudest pyrotechnic display in the
Caribbean ignites. Confetti fills the air,
music pumps, and the jubilant crowds
cheer. The spectacle finally winds down
as midnight approaches.
Foxy’s Old Year’s Party
Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
31 December
There’s hardly any standing room.
Great Harbour is packed with boats and
dinghies. The catalyst is one little beach
bar on the island known for throwing
the Caribbean’s best Old Year’s party.
Musicians from around the Caribbean
perform while guests dine and dance
barefoot in the sand. Foxy himself
mingles with the crowd, many of whom
are return visitors. He quickly learns and
remembers your name, and sometimes
weaves you into the lyrics of a song,
making you the centre of attention.
Libations of Pain Killers, Dread Foxes, and
Sly Foxes — his legendary cocktails — are
highly recommended as you usher in the
New Year with friends and fireworks.
Junkanoo
Nassau, the Bahamas
1 January
Vibrant handmade costumes and floats
prepared with thousands of strips
of colourful crêpe paper, cardboard,
feathers, and glitter come alive on Bay
Street for Nassau’s New Year’s Day
Junkanoo parade. The sweet sounds of
brass bands invite cheerful onlookers
to move to their melodies. Beginning
just after midnight, the parade is in full
swing for hours. Bells, cow horns, and
whistles accompany the masqueraders
as they “rush” along the parade route,
breaking out in choreographed dances.
What better way to start a thrilling
2019?
Shelly-Ann Inniss
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