Despite an order from the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) that all Junkanoo activities come to a stop, Junkanooers from the Valley Boys and the Roots Junkanoo Group rushed in Fox Hill for the Emancipation Day celebrations over the weekend.
Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, the Hon. Fred Mitchell was on hand for the parade. He told reporters the parade is a continuation of a long tradition. He said, “Fox Hill turns out to be the only place where the African heritage is still celebrated singularly and outstandingly in the country. That important because the country is majority people of African descent who have come down from a generation of negativity. We must talk that history. People should know the history and it’s important to keep repeating the story over and over again so we don’t forget where our roots are and where we come from. That we have a proud tradition and civilization and history that we ought to protect.”
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg was also at the parade. While speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the event he said Junkanoo is an expression of who we are as a people. “It’s not time now to allow any group of individuals to stop us from enjoying our number one culture in this country. And so we all must get together as Bahamians and understand that hey, those who perform they perform for the ability and for the expression of their love and passion,” he said. The Minister’s comments came as the government and the JCNP remain at odds over proposed legislation to regulate Junkanoo and establish a Junkanoo authority.
Minister of Labour and the Public Service, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle and the Acting High Commissioner from South Africa to The Bahamas, Phumeza Mukendi were also in attendance.
