“The Bill Will Not Water Down Junkanoo, It Will Take It Beyond Our Borders”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The National Junkanoo Authority Bill that has caused an uproar in the Junkanoo community proposes a major shift: removing the JCNP as the sole authority over Junkanoo parades in New Providence, and replacing it with an independent body that would also oversee Junior Junkanoo.

If enacted, it would also formally assign parade management to the new authority and include Junior Junkanoo.

While many are against it, Veteran Junkanooer Angelique McKay says she’s all for it.

Here’s why:

“Junkanooers have been calling for something similar to what is being presented, so it makes me happy as a Junkanooer that they’re finally listening to some of the demands we’ve been putting forth and I look forward going through that document with a fine tooth comb to see what it is that they’re proposing and what I can do as a Junkanooer to recommend,” she said.

Since the announcement, the JCNP’s position has been clear – A letter was sent out to Junkanoo groups stating all Junkanoo activities would be put on pause.

A recent meeting between the corporation and Culture Minister, Mario Bowleg, made little progress in easing the tension.

McKay says she doesn’t agree with the JCNP’s position.

“To take something that means so much to so many of us away from us by not allowing us to be apart of Junkanoo practices as a penalty for not voting a particular way it saddens me, that decision broke my heart when I heard it,” she said.

The Genesis Warhawks, an established category group, says they are resuming all practices and will participate in the upcoming Fox Hill Day parade.

McKay, who’s a member of the group, says it’s the right thing to do.

McKay, who has spent years traveling the world and taking Junkanoo to the international stage says the focus should be on keeping the tradition and history behind the cultural expression alive, and she believes this bill does just that.