Jonkonnu in the Caribbean

As Jonkonnu spread throughout the Caribbean, the people of different islands varied the costumes, parades, dances, festival name, and festival date. Belize dancers call their tradition “John Canoe” and perform it on Christmas and December 26, Boxing Day. In the Bahamas the festival is called “Junkanoo” and is celebrated between December 26 and January 1, New Year’s Day. Bahamians use strips of colored paper to create dazzling costumes for Junkanoo. Today, with government sponsorship of the parade and costume competition, the elaborate costumes worn by top competitors resemble those of Trinidad’s fabulous Carnival celebrations.