Power and Performance

I must begin by saying that the Junkanoo experience is a difficult thing to articulate into words, but hopefully in this blog post I will do at least some justice to the power and performance of the Junkanoo festival that takes place each year in the Bahamas. In order to describe the experience, I will categorize it into three different elements: color, visceral emotion, and community.

1. Color: Although the New Year’s day Junkanoo event takes place in the middle of the night (approximately 2:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.), it is not ‘dark’ by any means. Imagine vibrant colorful costumes made from everyday materials such as paper and plastic, colorful performances that elevate it above and beyond a typical parade, and colorful attitudes of the participants who dance the night away with emotion that makes the very definition of freedom seem tame. Color is everywhere.

2. Visceral Emotion: Have you ever experienced something that causes an emotional response deep within your gut? One that makes you feel like nothing else in the world matters? Well, this is how Junkanoo made me feel. Although I was deathly sick during my time at the parade, at one moment I forgot about my sickness and fell victim to the powerful energy that the performances provoke. This energy is not some joyous topical feeling, but rather one that is so deeply rooted you feel liberated. This is something I will never forget.

3. Community: Festivals and parades are typically a source of community, where citizens come together to celebrate some cultural or historical concept. Junkanoo, however, was more than just a community event. The reactions from the crowd provided testimony that this experience is much more than just a cultural gathering. It appeared to resonate on a deeper level with everyone attending, where the audience not only observed but also participated in the event – cheering on their favorite group and dancing to the beat of the drums. Community is key to Junkanoo.  

~Jared Dial