Years Off Bay

Before 2020  many Bahamians never knew what it felt like to miss out on the greatest show on earth. After 2 long years, Junkanoo will be back on Bay and the excitement is palpable! Here are some other times in Bahamian history Junkanoo was canceled. 

1922 Hotel Colonial dispute 

When the Colonial burned down 100 years ago in 1922 the government hired a foreign company to rebuild it. Bahamians were given menial jobs while foreigners were given better-paying positions, this caused a disturbance and as a result, the government canceled the 1922 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade

Ignoring the punishment Junkanooers decided to have junkanoo over the hill in Grants town. This led to The Bay Street merchants complaining because of the lost income usually made during Junkanoo, so the government decided junkanoo was allowed for New Years' Day 1923. Despite this, they decided that they would go back to Grants town for the New Years 1923 Junkanoo 

1942, Burma Road Riot

After the 1942 Burma Road Riot the government banned all street Parading, After a petition by the Citizens Masquerade Committee, Junkanno returned to Bay Street on New Years' Day of 1948. This would be the longest time in recorded history without the Junkanoo Parade. 

1953 and 1954 Ban

According to Vivian Nina Wood in “Rushin’ Hard and Runnin’ Hot” the 1953 Boxing Day Parade and 1954 New Years Parade were banned because of disorderly conduct.

Hopefully, we never have to miss out on Junkanoo again in our lifetime.

Special thanks to Arlene Nash Ferguson for her wealth of knowledge.