Boxing Day Junkanoo photo gallery
From bahama islands info
Saturday, 28 December 2013 17:38
NASSAU, Bahamas — Valley Boys emerged victorious at the Boxing Day Junkanoo parade, followed by the Shell Saxons Superstars and One Family in third. All the groups put on an entertaining and colourful show. (BIS photo gallery)
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What is Junkanoo?
From Wikipedia
Junkanoo is a street parade with music which occurs in many towns across The Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26), New Year’s Day and, more recently, in the summer on the island of Grand Bahama. The largest Junkanoo parade happens in Nassau, the capital. There are also Junkanoo parades in Miami in June and 
Key West in October, where the local black American populations have their roots in the Bahamas. In addition to being a culture dance for the Garifuna people.
The origin of the word “junkanoo” is rather obscure. Some people believe it comes from the French “L’inconnu” which means “the unknown,” in reference to the masks worn by the paraders. Junkanoo may have West African origins, as the costumes and conduct of the masqueraders bear similarities with the Yoruba Egungun festivals.
It is believed that this festival began during the 16th and 17th centuries. The slaves in The Bahamas were given a special holiday around Christmas time when they would be able to leave the plantations to be with their family and celebrate the holidays with African dance, music, and costumes. After emancipation this tradition continued, and junkanoo has evolved from its simple origins to a formal, more organized parade with sophisticated, intricate costumes, themed music, and incentive prizes.
Parades in Nassau are judged in various categories; A (or Major) Category, the B Category, Individual costume, and fun groups. The A category groups involved in the Nassau Junkanoo include The Valley Boys, The Music Makers, Roots, Saxons, One Family and The Prodigal Sons. Groups of the past include The Vikings and Chippie and the Boys. In the B category, groups include The Redland Soldiers, Colours Entertainment, Fancy Dancers, Original Congos, Conquerors for Christ, and Body of Christ Crusaders. Fun groups include The Pigs, Sting, and Barabbas & The Tribe.
