December is the carnival season for the people of the Bahamas. And is that Christmas and Carnival they are synonymous on this beautiful island. And this carnival mood often stained with secular colors and hues.
However, the spirit of Christmas would be incomplete without exchanging gifts and cards with each other. Furthermore it can be rightly said that feasting and singing melodious Christmas carols also add another feather to your spirit of celebration.
Christmas traditions
For about a week before Christmas Day, the carrollers They go out at night, singing Christmas carols in public places in order to welcome the party moment with all their vigor. Some of the favorite Christmas songs that savor the mood are "Christian Awake", "Say Hello to Happy Morn" and many more.
The exchange of gifts and cards with each other serves as a main activity among the Bahamian people. Children have candy canes given away by their parents in the Santa Claus costume.
And since a Christmas tree is the center of attraction in most houses for children to take an active part in decorating the Christmas tree, the tree is duly decorated with twinkling lights, the best angel trees, the icicles and other ornaments.
In addition to the Christmas tree decorations, the interiors of the houses are so well cared for. The house is carefully cleaned and new curtains are hung. Families prepare food, cakes, and other treats for families and loved ones.
Christmas dinner
Food has always been the center of attraction among the people of the Bahamas during the celebration of Christmas. Some traditional Bahamian Christmas items like ginger ale, black cake, imported apples, imported grapes, garlic pork, pot pepper, pickled onions and ham are prepared and celebrated in the Bahamian people.
Often times, the celebratory mood is further enriched by Christmas drinks that include ginger ale, sorrel, mauby, sweet potato fly (a fly is a fermented beverage), falernum, lemonade, rum, and wines.
Parades and joy
Christmas in the Bahamas would not be complete without seeing the famous Junkanoo parade. Participants in this parade wear colorful dresses and dance to the rhythmic accompaniment of cowbells, drums, and whistles.
Among the Junkanoo troupes are the Saxons, Valley Boys and Roots. Junkanoo's most spectacular parade happens in Nassau. The parade can also be seen in Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Bimini, and Abaco.