Island Culture

Bahamian Culture

By Erin Brooks

Long before the first tourist stepped foot on its golden sands, The Bahamas were the playground of pirates, explorers, armies and entrepreneurs, whose influences can still be found throughout the islands. But the native Bahamian people have a history all their own, woven into a colorful tapestry that blankets the islands in sunny warmth.

Discover Nassau / Paradise Island’s wealth of cultural offerings, most of which make for an easy break from the beach or a short side trip from an afternoon shopping excursion, and learn a little bit about the history and mystery of this Bahamian island.

If you have half a day, check out:

The colorfully creative Junkanoo Expo in Festival Place at Prince George Wharf (where the cruise ships dock) invites you to learn about the history of this famous Bahamian celebration. Check out larger-than-life floats and flamboyant costumes from past years’ festivals and take home a souvenir. You can also tour the Educulture Junkanoo Museum with a real Junkanoo queen and try your hand at making masks and dancing to traditional music. Or, just come back to experience the December 26 and January 1 events for yourself.

Pay a mere $1 to enter the quaint, one-room Bahamas Historical Society Museum and marvel at the six-panel painting by Diana Pullinger that pictorially represents the history of The Bahamas.

Walk across the thought provoking "Bahama Mama" exhibit at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. Upstairs, gaze up, up, up at the imposing, 82-inch copper "Junkanoo Queen" by Nick Austin.

There’s no counting calories on vacation, so there’s no excuses for not sampling the fried conch fritters at one of the small colorful eateries at Arawak Cay.

If you have a full day, consider:

You’ll need to make reservations in advance (and brush up on your Latin), but it’s worth it for a visit to St. Augustine’s Monastery. This working monastery is under the care of Benedictine monks who will happily tour you around the cloisters and gardens for a small donation. Also take a stroll to Christ Church Cathedral, on George Street built in 1841. Originally, the builiding was built in 1670 making it the first church built in the Bahamas. The gothic structure is made of local limestone and isknown for its beautiful stained glass windows, needlepoint tapestries and kneelers. The church displays tablets that trace the trials Nassau citizens faced over 150 years ago. Be sure to see the baptismal font at the back of the sanctuary, there you will see the tiny church mouse carved into the wood - the hallmark of the British carpenter.

As sweet as it sounds, the tiny, historic Adelaide Village (founded by free slaves in the 1830s) on the south end of the island is a lovely spot for a picnic or a horseback ride with Happy Trails Stables. For the art lover, visit Doongalik Studios Art Gallery which showcases the work of over 70 local artists. There are two locations in Nassau at 18 Village Road and in Paradise Island at Marina Village Shops. And, for the historian, visit Pompey Museum and Balcony House. The latter is an 18th century landmark as the oldest wooden residential structure in Nassau, now fully restored, Balcony House is open for tour 6 days a week.

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