L-R: Youth Fest Organizer Dr. Ann Higgins (2nd Left), Bahamas National Festival Commission Chairman Paul Major (3rd left) and General Manager of BAIC Troy Sampson (4th left).
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The
Bahamas National Festival Commission and the Bahamas Agricultural and
Industrial Corporation are partnering on an initiative to create
economic opportunities for indigenous material producers during the
upcoming Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and the Youth Culture Fest.
The
initiative is expected to link scores of Family Island suppliers of
local materials like straw; sisal and straw to the different companies
and groups that will be participating in the two events.
Chairman
of the BNFC Paul Major said the 28 companies that are participating in
the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Road Fever event have a mandate to
incorporate anywhere from 15 percent to 20 percent indigenous Bahamians
material in their costumes. He also said the 25 community and school
groups participating in the Youth Culture Fest are also mandated to
incorporate 100 percent local native materials in their costumes for the
children.
“BAIC
is helping us find the various people who supply local materials and
introduce them to the various Junkanoo Carnival companies and Youth
Culture Fest groups,” said Major. “We want to ensure they don’t have an
excuse not to use the raw materials and of course we want to provide
economic opportunities for the producers in the Family Islands.”
General
Manager of the Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation (BAIC) Troy
Sampson said this partnership provides opportunities for artisans the
“length and breadth” of The Bahamas.
“With
the scope and scale of this Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and Youth Culture
Fest, we believe that the opportunities for artisans on New Providence
on the family islands will be tremendous,” he said. “The trickle down
effect will be far reaching in terms of the economic impact on our
country. Even if it is only providing a normal amount there is
opportunity for some revenues to be gained by people who didn’t have
this opportunity prior.
“So
it is important for us to have these kinds of joint ventures where we
could add value, lend support and create opportunities.”
Youth
Culture Fest Organizer Dr. Ann Higgins explained that the response from
suppliers in the Family Islands has been great and that they were
already preparing to take on more orders from the groups associated with
the BNFC. Suppliers interested in having their items submitted for
selection as asked to contact their local arm of the Bahamas National
Craft Association, who will then pass on their information to BAIC.
ABOUT:
The first Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, sponsored by BTC, is a collage of
Bahamian culture. It is a festive weeklong celebration where Bahamians
and guests from around the world are immersed in all things Bahamian in
an entertaining and interactive manner.
