What is the music of the Bahamas?
When was Music of the Bahamas first performed?
What is soca music?
Where did the Calypso music originate?
Who made the goombay drum?
Who played Junkane in the Bahamas?
What is the instrument used to dance the Ring Dance?
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About this website
What instruments are used in Bahamian music?
Carpenters saws, pork barrels with goat or sheep skin as drums, even early forms of the accordion — all of these instruments can be heard in the early adaptations of Bahamas music known as Bahamian rake and scrape music.
What are Bahamians known for?
20 amazing things The Bahamas are known forPristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters. ... The swimming pigs of Exuma. ... The playground of the world's rich and famous. ... History of pirates. ... Fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling. ... The first landing of Christopher Columbus. ... The Bahama Mama cocktail.More items...•
Who is a famous singer from The Bahamas?
SIR SYDNEY POITIER(1927-PRESENT) Probably the most notable Bahamian of all is the iconic singer, actor, film director, author and diplomat, Sir Sidney Poitier.
What is unique about the Bahamian culture?
Nothing is more indigenous and unique to Bahamian culture than Junkanoo. It is a music and dance form that originated in The Bahamas during the days of slavery. A festive parade complete with colourful costumes, goatskin drums, clanging cowbells, whistles and horns, it has remained remarkably unchanged over the years.
How do Bahamians say hello?
The most common greeting is the handshake, accompanied by direct eye contact and a welcoming smile. For the most part Bahamians are warm and hospitable, although they initially may appear a bit more standoffish than people from other Caribbean islands.
Who is the richest Bahamian?
Below are the richest people in Bahamas. As of September 2022, the richest person in Bahamas is Joseph Lewis. Joseph Lewis lives in New Providence.
Who are 3 Famous people born in the Bahamas?
Birth Place Matching "Bahamas" (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)Sebastian Bach. Actor | Rock of Ages. ... Calvin Lockhart. Actor | Predator 2. ... Ryan Sweeting. Self | Wimbledon. ... Kevin 'Kimbo Slice' Ferguson. Actor | Blood and Bone. ... Dannielynn Birkhead. Self | Entertainment Tonight. ... Estelle Evans. ... Maryke Hendrikse. ... Duncan Casey.More items...
Who is the most famous Bahamian?
Celebrities and billionairesMike Oldfield - guitarist/composer (Tubular Bells etc.)Sidney Poitier - Bahamian.Anna Nicole Smith (28 November 1967 – 8 February 2007)John Travolta.Tiger Woods - owns the Albany Estate.Louis Bacon - billionaire American investor, hedge fund manager, and philanthropist.More items...
What genre is Caribbean music?
World musicCaribbean music / Parent genreWorld music is an English phrase for styles of music from non-Western countries, including quasi-traditional, intercultural, and traditional music. Wikipedia
What are Bahama people called?
Bahamians are an people originating or having roots from The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. One can also become a Bahamian by acquiring citizenship.
What race are Bahamians?
The population of the Bahamas is 85% African, 12% European and 3% Asian and 3% Latin Americans.
What are Bahamians mixed with?
About 85 percent of Bahamians are of African ancestry, and most of the remainder are of European descent. People of Asian ancestry constitute a very small segment of the population. Some racial mixing has occurred.
What are Bahamian people called?
Word forms: Bahamians Bahamians are people who come from the Bahamas.
What language do Bahamians speak?
EnglishThe Bahamas / Official languageWhile English is the official language of the Bahamas, locals speak with a Bahamian dialect that has birthed many unique slang words and phrases. Before your trip, you may want to familiarize yourself with the island lingo.
What race are Bahamians?
The population of the Bahamas is 85% African, 12% European and 3% Asian and 3% Latin Americans.
What are Bahamians mixed with?
About 85 percent of Bahamians are of African ancestry, and most of the remainder are of European descent. People of Asian ancestry constitute a very small segment of the population. Some racial mixing has occurred.
My 20 Favourite Bahamian Songs of All Time – Bahamas News
By Ian Strachan. These songs are not in any particular order. And this list is entirely subjective. I didn’t do any research at all. I don’t know how many records or CDs were sold or how long it took for the songs to drop out of regular rotation.
Top bahamas artists | Last.fm
Browse the top bahamas artists to find new music. Scrobble songs to get recommendations on tracks you'll love.
Bahamian Music 🇧🇸 Dj Sampler Old School Bahamian Music ... - YouTube
Bahamian Music, Bahamas Music, Old Bahamas Music,Old School Bahamian Music, old Bahamian musicSchool Bahamian Music/Songs/Hits Party Mix1. Uncle Lue2. Oh La ...
What is the music of the Bahamas?
Music of the Bahamas. The music of the Bahamas is associated primarily with Junkanoo, a celebration which occurs on Boxing Day and again on New Year's Day. Parades and other celebrations mark the ceremony.
When was Music of the Bahamas first performed?
Music of The Bahamas was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1991, and was revived in 2002 for fresh Bahamian audiences. A recording of that show is available for sale from Ringplay Productions .
What is soca music?
It originally combined the melodic lilting sound of calypso with insistent percussion (which is often electronic in recent music) and local chutney music. Soca music has evolved in the last 20 years primarily by musicians from various Anglophone Caribbean countries including Trinidad, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, ...
Where did the Calypso music originate?
Calypso. Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago. This form of music has spread through many parts of the Caribbean, including The Bahamas .
Who made the goombay drum?
Aside from being a type of drum, goombay is also a percussion music made famous by Alphonso 'Blind Blake' Higgs, who played to tourists arriving at Nassau International Airport for several years.
Who played Junkane in the Bahamas?
In this milieu more traditional Bahamas performers such as Joseph Spence, have still enjoyed successful careers playing junkanoo, Christian hymns and the ant'ems of the local sponge fishermen, which include "Sloop John B", later made famous by The Beach Boys . Junkane.
What is the instrument used to dance the Ring Dance?
In more modern music, the saw is replaced with maracas or a guiro. Aerophones: The accordion is the component that adds the round form which enables dancers to dance the ring dance. This is of European descent. In more modern bands, it is replaced by an electric guitar or electronic keyboard.
What is the Bahamian sacred music?
Bahamian sacred music is one of the Islands' most outstanding artistic expressions. Anthems are religious hymns that closely resemble songs of the antebellum slave era. They were brought to The Bahamas from North America by the mostly enslaved Creole individuals who accompanied British Loyalists near the time of the American Revolution. Rhyming songs are also part of Bahamian worship services. In these songs the lead singer tells an animated, often improvised, story in rhythmic verse against the harmonies of a backup chorus. "Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There" is an example of this style. Modern religious services continue to integrate outside styles, as it is now common to hear contemporary African American gospel and traditional European hymns alongside these classic Bahamian songs.
Why are the Bahamas so famous?
Bahamians are famous for the art of storytelling and their stories are sung as often as they are spoken. Stories of everyday occurrences become popular songs telling of broken hearts, holidays, and the beauty of the Islands' natural environment. Biblical and historical stories are also sung to sometimes issue a warning or inspire courage.
What is goombay music?
Historically, secular music in The Bahamas has been called goombay music, a derivative of the Gambian word gumbay, or large drum. Bahamian secular music, particularly when played by rake and scrape bands, relies on the goatskin drum to create its rhythmic base. The rake and scrape band hails back ...
What is a rhyming song?
In these songs the lead singer tells an animated, often improvised, story in rhythmic verse against the harmonies of a backup chorus. "Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There" is an example of this style.
Where are the islands of song?
Islands of Song. For hundreds of years along the 700 scattered limestone islands in the Caribbean sea that make up The Bahamas, the human voice has been raised in melodious strains to a rhythmic pulse that is deeply influenced by the African ancestry of most Bahamians.
Who is the most famous guitarist in the Bahamas?
Joseph Spence is probably the most well known Bahamian guitarist. His improvisational finger-picking style drew from folk and jazz influences and typified the rhythmically relaxed Bahamian guitar sound. His distinctive style was widely admired and copied by many up-and-coming American and British folk guitarists.
Is the music of the Bahamas changing?
But the music is changing as it continues to draw on outside influences.
What is the music of the Bahamas?
Music of the Bahamas. The music of the Bahamas is associated primarily with Junkanoo, a celebration which occurs on Boxing Day and again on New Year's Day. Parades and other celebrations mark the ceremony.
When was Music of the Bahamas first performed?
Music of The Bahamas was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1991, and was revived in 2002 for fresh Bahamian audiences. A recording of that show is available for sale from Ringplay Productions .
What is soca music?
It originally combined the melodic lilting sound of calypso with insistent percussion (which is often electronic in recent music) and local chutney music. Soca music has evolved in the last 20 years primarily by musicians from various Anglophone Caribbean countries including Trinidad, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, ...
Where did the Calypso music originate?
Calypso. Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago. This form of music has spread through many parts of the Caribbean, including The Bahamas .
Who made the goombay drum?
Aside from being a type of drum, goombay is also a percussion music made famous by Alphonso 'Blind Blake' Higgs, who played to tourists arriving at Nassau International Airport for several years.
Who played Junkane in the Bahamas?
In this milieu more traditional Bahamas performers such as Joseph Spence, have still enjoyed successful careers playing junkanoo, Christian hymns and the ant'ems of the local sponge fishermen, which include "Sloop John B", later made famous by The Beach Boys . Junkane.
What is the instrument used to dance the Ring Dance?
In more modern music, the saw is replaced with maracas or a guiro. Aerophones: The accordion is the component that adds the round form which enables dancers to dance the ring dance. This is of European descent. In more modern bands, it is replaced by an electric guitar or electronic keyboard.
Overview
The music of the Bahamas is associated primarily with Junkanoo, a celebration which occurs on Boxing Day and again on New Year's Day. Parades and other celebrations mark the ceremony. Groups like The Baha Men, Ronnie Butler and Kirkland Bodie have gained massive popularity in Japan, the United States and other places. Other popular Bahamian artists include Stileet and Stevie S.
Calypso
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago. This form of music has spread through many parts of the Caribbean, including The Bahamas.
Soca
Soca is a form of dance music which originated from many calypso music in Trinidad and Tobago. It originally combined the melodic lilting sound of calypso with insistent percussion (which is often electronic in recent music) and local chutney music. Soca music has evolved in the last 20 years primarily by musicians from various Anglophone Caribbean countries including Trinidad, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda…
Junkanoo
The word Junkanoo is said to be derived from a Ghanaian leader, John Connu, or from the Qujo supreme deity (Canno) and ancestral spirits (jannanin). The junkanoo is still practiced in North Carolina and remnants still exist in Belize. It is most well known, though, from Nassau and Freeport. Since the 1950s the influence of American culture has increased, mainly through TV and radio broadcasts from Florida stations, and other Caribbean styles have made inroads: calypso, reggae and
Rake and scrape
Rake and scrape music is played traditionally with Concertinas, Goombay drums, and a Handsaw. Rake and scrape is believed to have originated on the island of Cat Island but evidence suggest that it was emerging in many places simultaneously. The earliest reference to usage of the accordion by Bahamians is in 1886 in an Article in the Nassau Guardian. The term rake and scrape became the norm in 1969 by Charles Carter although he claims the people of Cat Island were alr…
Organology of instruments
Membranophones: The Goombay drum is main rhythmic component in rake-n-scrape. It is also referred to a goatskin drum, as the skin of a goat was stretched over a wooden barrel. It is decorated by simple or complex geometric designs in bright colors. The drum is always heated over fire to retain its tone. In 1971, when manufacturers started shipping products in metal barrels, Bahamians switched the drum to metal, slightly changing the tone of the drum.
See also
• List of Bahamian musicians
External links
• (in French) Audio clips: traditional music of the Bahamas. Musée d'ethnographie de Genève. Accessed 25 November 2010.
• "Drive the Nail A'Right, Boys." (Downloadable recording) Bahamanian conch song. Library of Congress, Florida Folklife from the WPA Collections; performed by Naomi Nelson on 15 January 1940 in Riviera, Florida. Accessed 10 September 2010.