Community
John Chipman Street named in Nassau
By Felicity Ingraham
Feb 13, 2014 - 7:11:10 AM

Photos: Felicty Ingraham

Nassau, Bahamas - John Chippie Chipman, legendary drummer, international performer, cultural ambassador, and community leader, received what he described as one of his biggest accolades in life.  The street upon which he lives was officially named in his honor on Friday, February 7, 2014.

Lifebouy Street officially got its name change to John Chipman Street with scores of Chippie's supporters looking and cheering on.  Many of his neighbors commented that it was an honor befitting a man who "looks out for everyone in his community and is always helping people".  

Prime Minister Hon. Perry G. Christie, Dr. Bernard Nottage, MP for Bain & Grant's Town, Director of Culture Dr. Linda Moxey-Brown, H.E. Clifford "Butch" Scavella, MP for St. Anne's Hubert Chipman, Former Senator Traver Whylly, Junkanoo legend Percy "Vola" Francis, cultural guru Stan Burnside, Educulture chief Arlene Nash-Ferguson, and many others were on hand to witness the street name change.  

Rev. C.B. Moss headed the ceremony, which included performances by Chippie's grandsons, from the eldest right down to the baby.  Speakers rose to pour accolades on Chippie Chipman for his national and community building efforts.  He was also commended for continuing his performance even in his eighties.

Local performers including Tyrone Thurston and his band entertained the crowd, before celebrations ended with a Junkano rush out from one end of John Chipman Street, near Collin's wall, to the other, being East Street.

John "Chippie" Chipman could have lived anywhere in the world he wanted, but he chose to remain in the grassroots area of New Providence, Over-the-Hill, where he could positively influence the children who live there.  Having a living legend in their community meant they could see, feel and touch a living example of the success they dream of, despite the challenges they face in the inner city.

You can often find John Chipman sitting under the big tree in his yard building Junkanoo drums, drying goat skins, or teaching the young children his skills.

John "Chippie" Chipman is a prolific Junkanooer, dancer, and champion drummer, whose career as an entertainer spans more than six decades. His world-class performances have gained him high recognition, including: a Member of the British Empire (MBE); the Bahamas Merit Award (BMA); Tourism lifetime achievement award; the Junkanoo Award; the Independence Award; the Centennial Awards, and many others.


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