National

Roots Criticize Junkanoo Judging

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Roots Junkanoo Group is criticizing what it calls a flawed Junkanoo judging system, after a disappointing finish in the recent Junkanoo parades.

Published

1 year ago

January 9, 2023

Jameelha Missick

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Roots Junkanoo Group is criticizing what it calls a flawed Junkanoo judging system, after a disappointing finish in the recent Junkanoo parades.

Executives in Roots Junkanoo Group are suggesting the abolition of the current Junkanoo judging system in favor of what they’re calling a more objective system.

Chairman, Wendall “Gutts” Francis says they believe trained professionals, and even some non-Bahamians are better able to judge categories like music, choreography and art design.

To the critics who are suggesting that non-Bahamians would not be able to fairly and appropriately judge the parade, Roots officials believe that notion is a myth.

The group adds that they have made their suggestions about the judging system in the past.

Chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence, Dion Miller is responding to the concerns, noting that at the beginning of the year, the JCNP asks each group to choose their preferred method of judging, and the overwhelming response was to have members of the public judge the parade.