Caribbean Beat — November/December 2021 (#167)
In the latest issue of Caribbean Beat magazine, our editorial team share their personal bucket list wishes for future travel experiences — from Junkanoo in the Bahamas to whale-watching in Dominica and exploring the Guyanese rainforest. Meet a Trinidadian dancer and choreographer bringing classical Indian traditions to the Caribbean, and hear from award-winning St Lucian poet Canisia Lubrin. See highlights of a new exhibition of Caribbean art and photography in Toronto. Plus coverage of Caribbean books, music, food, the year-end festivals of Divali and Christmas, and more!
In the latest issue of Caribbean Beat magazine, our editorial team share their personal bucket list wishes for future travel experiences — from Junkanoo in the Bahamas to whale-watching in Dominica and exploring the Guyanese rainforest. Meet a Trinidadian dancer and choreographer bringing classical Indian traditions to the Caribbean, and hear from award-winning St Lucian poet Canisia Lubrin. See highlights of a new exhibition of Caribbean art and photography in Toronto. Plus coverage of Caribbean books, music, food, the year-end festivals of Divali and Christmas, and more!
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Bahamas Junkanoo
During hall initiation at the University of the West
Indies Mona campus, I was renamed “Junkanoo.” This
Bajan had never heard of the Bahamian festival, but
my animated personality and dance performances at
fresher competitions earned me the unique hall name.
Some Bahamian hallmates excitedly explained that
staunch revellers traditionally make their costumes
from cardboard and colourful crêpe paper. They
recalled stories about the playful rivalry among
Junkanoo groups, and listed some must-do’s in the
Bahamas. Throughout the entire conversation, I was
grinning and calculating. Brass bands combined with
whistles and cowbells push my activate button — and
brass music dominates Junkanoo. When I discovered
the dances for the street parades in Nassau on Boxing
Day and New Year’s Day are choreographed, two costumes
floated through my thoughts, and I was mentally
“rushing” in the street. The fact that Junkanoo is
one of the first and last Carnivals on the Caribbean’s
calendar — in the coolness of night — is a bonus.
Shelly-Ann Inniss
Shane Pinder/Alamy Stock Photo
WWW.CARIBBEAN-AIRLINES.COM
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