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Junkanoo Jump Up takes place through out the year on public holidays and local events, particularly on Emancipation Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. It is considered the traditional way to bring in good luck to the coming year. Junkanoo is also called Massing and Masquerade. It is believed that Junkanoo originated in the 16th century among the slave population.
Christmas and New Year were the only holidays for the slaves, who used these days to visit family and friends away from the plantation, and celebrated with African music, dancing and costumes. It is named after Jon Canoe, an influential West African chieftain.
Junkanoo is a colorful and lively festival. Long ago islanders would wear old clothes painted with bright colors or colorful strips of ribbon and cloth were tied to their clothes along with costumes made from cardboard and crepe paper. As the beats of the goatskin drums, cowbells and other handmade percussion instruments filled the air; the costumed islanders would dance to the rhythm and perform for money, food, candy and drinks.
On New Year’s Eve there are all-night services in churches as the New Year is rung in with bells, and the parades feature everyone in handmade masquerades and elaborate costumes competing for the honor of best drummers and rhythm section or most outrageous costume. Of late Junakoo has started to resemble the Mardi Gras with the costumes becoming more elaborate, depicting different themes and characters.
Junkanoo is also celebrated in Jamaica and the Bahamas, with each island lending its own variation to the traditional festival. In Jamaica it still maintains its old world charm. In the neighbouring Bahamas, the Junkanoo is celebrated like a carnival.
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