The Tribune

Diners’ Debate. - “Junkanoo: The Craft our Ancestors Mastered” is the title of the final Diners’ Debate of the year.

“One major reason for the survival of Junkanoo in its present form was the landing of Liberated Africans in the Bahamas during the mid-19th century.

“These brought with them their customs, and revitalised the Christmas parades, just as they seemed about to be overtaken by the marching brass bands rather than gangs of goombay drums and cowbells, restoring percussion instruments to the centre of the festival.

“Junkanoo, then, is appropriated by many Bahamians as a symbol of the African past, as well as an integral component of national identity. Its historical connection with slavery is invoked by the leaders of Junkanoo groups not as an indication of the former oppression of black Bahamians, but as a symbol of freedom: “... in spite of the condition known as slavery, despite all of the negative experiences, the spirit and the dignity is intact and there’s no sign that the spirit was ever broken ... You can see something in the music — because the music is a ... An accumulation, you know? of everything that happened in history, you know? It couldn’t have got to this point without going through all of the pain.” (Stan Burnside)

The final debate of 2015 will be held on Thursday, December 17, at 7pm at the Black Box Theatre (behind the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts on Mackey Street), as writer Noelle Nicholls and anthropologist Dr. Nicolette Bethel discuss Junkanoo.

Nicholls’ presentation will look at the historical record, where Junkanoo has at times been considered a nuisance; for instance, an American visitor in 1823 described as “some bad music on hoarse cracked drums & fifes by groupes of negroes parading the streets...”.

Bethel will discuss the economics of Junkanoo, and explain why its impact needs to be calculated differently.

As usual, attendance is free of charge, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts. - Following a very successful run at the Harquail Studio Theatre in the Cayman Islands, Ringplay Productions will present, for three nights only, Sizwe Banzi is Dead, on December 11 & 12 at 8pm and December 13 at 6pm in the Black Box Theatre at The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts. Featuring Dion Johnson (Styles/Buntu) and Mark Humes (Sizwe Banzi), the play is directed by Philip A Burrows. Limited seating is available.