NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Youth, Sports and
Culture the Hon. Daniel Johnson declared March the ‘National Month of Culture’
during a press conference on Tuesday, March 10 at the Ministry’s offices.
Minister Johnson said as part of this month he has
prepared a Culture Paper, which he intends to present to Parliament and table
as a Culture Bill within this month.
“Each March
from now on would be used to celebrate all things that are indigenous to
Bahamian Culture, Minister Johnson said. As culture embodies the customs,
traditions and values of our society, it defines who we are as Bahamians. Our
behaviour and beliefs which are acted out in our daily lives and portrayed
through our arts, fashion, storytelling and culinary delights tell of our
unique cultural heritage created from our rich and colourful history as a
people.”
National Culture Month 2015 is being observed under
the theme “Dis We Culture” and its objectives are to recognize and celebrate
Bahamian Culture and to encourage Bahamians
to organize and participate in locally- organized cultural events around The
Bahamas during the month, he said.
Culture month will include events such as the launch
of the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival (March 2nd) in Grand
Bahama and New Providence. This National festival competition will be held
throughout the islands of The Bahamas from March to early June. Persons are
encouraged to view the adjudications and support the cultural community
organizations and schools as they participate in this festival.
The Exuma Music and Heritage Festival (
March 12-14), is
a festival celebrating the rich and cultural heritage of The Bahamas and the
island of Exuma.
On
March 21, the Island of Bimini will hold a Junior
Junkanoo Parade where youth organizations will put on a fantastic display of
Junkanoo talent.
Friday, March 27 “Culture in Da Square” will bring Bay
Street alive at Rawson Square and Parliament Street where food and Arts and
Crafts will be on sale and cultural entertainment by various Bahamian artists
and performers will take place.
During the month the department of Culture will seek
the government’s approval to open discussions on a National Dress Competition:
this competition will foster the discussion and identify the social idea of the
“National Dress” of the country.
A National Dance approval will be sought for the
Bahamian traditional dance styles to be named as the National Dance of The
Bahamas.
National Music approval will be sought to hold music competitions
throughout the country to determine which genre will evolve as the National
Music of The Bahamas.
National Sport recommendations will be made to the
government to identify “sailing” as the National Sport of The Bahamas.
As we celebrate “National Cultural Month” all
Bahamians are encouraged to get involved: communities in New Providence and
throughout the Family Islands are encouraged to plan and implement a cultural
event in observance of “Culture Month.”
Media houses are encouraged to highlight and provide
coverage to cultural activities this month and publish cultural stories and
interviews of cultural icons whether via television, newspaper or radio.
All businesses are encouraged to decorate their store-fronts
with Bahamian colours and play Bahamian music within their establishments if
possible.
Schools throughout the country are encouraged to
research the contributions by Cultural icons to our National development.
All families are encouraged to have cultural
discussions with children and young people about the traditions that have
molded our Bahamian society. Designate a day for the teaching in any of the
following areas: cooking, woodcarving, storytelling, dancing, singing, ring
play, marble shooting, bush medicine….
The Minister wanted to convey that Bahamians are a
creative people rooted in passion and tradition, and our culture tells the story
of who we are to the world: we must ensure that our culture is passed on to
younger generations so that the Bahamian of today does not die
tomorrow.
