Carnival Celebrations in Africa and the New World: Junkanoo and the Black Indians of Mardi Gras

Abstract

It was 6:00 P.M. on Christmas Day of 1987 in Nassau, Bahamas. The exact location was unknown to me. I knew only that I was not in the commercial district; I was a distance away from most of the tourist attractions, and I was in some spot deep in the heart of one of the residential sections of Nassau. My first impression of what I saw was that of surprise, since the image in my mind of the place where Junkanoo was created was quite different from the reality of what was before me. What I saw was the Valley Boys' shack, a large barn-like structure that housed the costumes for that night's parade and that had served as the construction site for the costumes over the preceding months. Outside, in the yard, there were other intricately constructed costumes that seemed, in size, more like floats. I was amazed at the detail, at the designs, at the artistry that appeared before me. The colors reminded me of African Kente cloth, with yellows, oranges, reds, and shades of blue that brought to mind the ocean's waters. The atmosphere inside the Valley Boys' shack was business-like and full of constant activity-the final stages of preparation of the ten or so major costumes for the parade. The costumes were all essentially complete, a necessity at this late stage. Only minor stapling, pasting, and glittering remained to be done. Junkanoo would officially begin in seven hours. The mood seemed to be one of confidence and low-keyed exuberance. It was evident that the Valley Boys and their associates were proud of what they had put together. Ongoing, informal inspections by Valley Boys associates, helpers, friends, and relatives were passed with confident approval. For the number of people there working, chatting, and observing, it was relatively quiet. There was no frenzy, no sense of urgency. It was like the