Bahamas Information Services Updates
Junkanoo Village and Museum to open in Grand Bahama
By Simon Lewis, BIS
Mar 20, 2015 - 1:49:59 PM

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville is pictured as he toured the Junkanoo Village and Museum on Thursday afternoon. Left to right in the photo are: Harcourt Brown, Senior Undersecretary, Ministry for Grand Bahama; Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Grand Bahama; Dr. Darville; Rashad Amahad and Fred Black, owners. (BIS Photos/Vandyke Hepburn)

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville on Thursday visited the Junkanoo Village and Museum and observed the progress of Freeport’s newest attraction, the brainchild of Junkanoo enthusiast Fred Black and his partner Rashad Amahad, located on Yellow Pine Street, directly across the street from the Grand Bahama Millwork Building.

Dr. Darville told the owners that understanding Junkanoo and our heritage is very important and that he wants to make sure the venture is sustainable; he also offered suggestions to improve the facility as well as how the owners could tie into Government funding to complete the project properly.

He said the project has all the ingredients of a major tourist attraction and allows local residents including the various schools on the island the opportunity to explore the Bahamian culture and learn about the fine art of Junkanoo.

“What I don’t want to see is something like this, which is very important to our history and culture, starting up and closing in a few weeks: my Ministry will work with you to ensure that the proper planning is in place and offer advice and direct you to the agencies that could assist you in making this dream a reality,” the Minister told the owners.

The Junkanoo Village and Museum is scheduled to open in about two weeks; already the facility has in place a number of Junkanno costumes and other art pieces.

The owners have ensured a true Bahamian setting that will include the serving of various tropical drinks and tea, conch salad and more.

Likewise, they have experienced staff who can educate and inform persons on the history of Junkanoo and how to craft costumes, beat the drum and shake the cowbells.

The facility has a “Sacred Space” to recognize those outstanding artists like Gus Cooper and others who have passed on. Some $125,000.00 has already been pumped into the project.

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