Expats in The Bahamas: to inform, educate and connect...

Though Bahamians are predominantly of West African descent, "The  Bahamian Culture" is a melting pot of native customs that rage from those of the indeginous Arawak Indians who first inhabited these islands, to those of West African slaves that  worked the various plantations and with mixity from the English settlers who brought them here. Over the centuries other cultures who passed through these shores have also contributed to this blend,  shaping "The Bahamian Culture" by their beliefs, experiences and lifestyles, giving you the Cornicopia found throughout The Bahamas today.

Outstanding Bahamians 

Throughout the history of The Bahamas, there has been any number of Bahamians who have left their indelible mark on Bahamian society. If you know of someone who you think should be featured on this page, please contact us with the details. Read more about the Outstanding Bahamians...

Bahamian Junkanoo Parade 

To experience Bahamian culture and art, you should make plans to attend Junkanoo. The Bahamian festival of Junkanoo is an energetic, colourful parade of brightly costumed people gyrating and dancing to the rhythmic accompaniment of cowbells, drums and whistles.

The celebration occurs on December 26 and January 1, beginning in the early hours of the morning (2:00 a.m.) and ending at dawn. Watch the Videos...

Religion in the Bahamas

More than 90 % of the population of the Bahamas professes a religion, and anecdotal evidence suggests that most attend services regularly. Religion in the Bahamas reflects the country's diversity. Protestant Christian denominations including Baptists (35 %), Anglicans (15 %), Pentecostals (8 %), Church of God (5 %), Seventh-day Adventists (5 %), and Methodists (4 %) are in the majority, but there are also significant Roman Catholic (14 %) and Greek Orthodox populations. Smaller Jewish, Baha'i, Jehovah's Witness and Muslim communities also are active. A small number of Bahamians and Haitians, particularly those living in the Family Islands, practice Obeah, a form of African shamanism. A small but stable number of citizens identify themselves as Rastafarians, while some members of the small resident Guyanese and Indian populations practice Hinduism and other South Asian religions.

Music

Bahamian music is largely connected to Africa, the Goombay drums, used at Junkanoo and Goombay festivals have been traced to West African djembe drums; dances like the fire dance and the ringplay can all be traced to Africa.

The fire dance which was most popular during the 1940's, is not as popular as is use to be and is now practice by a talented few, who are loyal to keeping the craft alive.

Bahamian Artists

For a more comprehensive listing of Bahamian Artists with complete showcase of their work, please visit the directory of local artists...

Straw Weaving

Straw weaving in the Bahamas dates back to the earliest inhabitants when Arawak Indians are believed to have woven baskets to carry fruits, food and to use as fishing traps. The traditions has been kept alive and predominant in Islands like Long Island, Exuma, Andros and Crooked Island to name a few. With each island having its own unique form or braiding.

Today in the Bahamas an array of straw crafts, baskets, hats and other items can be found throughout the islands, many of which are sold in the local Straw Market in Town Nassau. Other forms of craft work found in the Bahamas are: Quilting (Long Island), Canvas art (Nassau), Wood Carvings, Coral and Stone Art (throughout the Bahamas).
 

Bush Medicine

Another tradition with roots from Africa is the use of  "Bush Medicine," which is the method of boiling native plants into a tea and used to cure almost illness, including the common cold.  This has practiced has been in existence since the time of the slaves in the Bahamas.

Cerasee Plant

Storytelling

Folklore and Storytelling is another tradition taken from the African Culture and handed down through the generations in The Bahamas and play a large role in entertainment in communities around the Islands; particularly before modern television.  With many of the tales carrying wise lessons. Bahamian storytelling has witnessed some revival, through the works of Patricia Glinton Meicholas, E. Clement Bethel, Susan J. Wallace, Alphonso Smith and other authors. Stories like "Ber Bookie and Ber Rabbi" have delighted Bahamian children for years to come simply because, "Storytelling-Its a Bahamian Ting.".