Turks and Caicos Junkanoo Museum Now Open
Visitors Learn About Song, Dance, Community and Turks & Caicos Culture
In “Thunderball” Sean Connery fights his way through a crowd of Junkanoo revellers and Pierce Brosnan, chased by Woody Harrelson, is surrounded by colourful Junkanoo performers in the movie “After the Sunset”. While you might not be seen yourself on the big screen, you’ll still get the opportunity to learn all there is to know about being a Junkanoo performer at the Turks and Caicos Junkanoo Museum which is now open to the public.
What is Junkanoo?
Celebrated since the 16th century, Junkanoo is a festival of song, dance and community. Only open since December, the Junkanoo Museum on Old Airport Road promotes and celebrates this special part of Turks and Caicos culture by providing an experience for visitors that is unlike any other. Junkanoo is thought to date back to the time when slaves were allowed time off at Christmas and New Year’s to celebrate with their families. They would wear colourful clothing using strips of cloth and fringed paper, paint their faces or wear elaborate masks, and would create simple songs and dances to mark festivities. Today these traditions continue but the costumes are more elaborate and the music and dance performances very polished and impressive.
At the Thursday Fish Fry event at Bight Children’s Park, visitors can experience live musical performances including junkanoo, as they sample delicious food and drink.
About the Junkanoo Museum on Providenciales
The Junkanoo Museum is coordinated by Kitchener Penn, a well known islander who is head of the We Funk Junkanoo Band. Penn was hired to put on the first junkanoo festival in the Turks and Caicos in the 1980’s and what he brought to the island was a Bahamian-style festival, based on his own roots as a Bahamian. The event was one of excitement and pulsating rhythm created by ripsaws (handsaws scraped by hand), drums and percussion.
The new Junkanoo Museum features three high energy shows each day showcasing traditional dance forms and teaching visitors how the unique costumes and instruments are made. Museum guests get a chance to learn how to play Junkanoo drums (goatskin drums) complete with photo and documentation opportunities.
Welcome to the Junkanoo Museum, a new cultural and social hub where visitors and tourists alike are invited to celebrate the traditions of Caicos culture and preserve them for future generations.
Where to Stay on Providenciales
Villa del Mar is a quiet boutique resort in the Grace Bay area offering fully equipped suites as affordable rates. Winner of the Hotel of the Year Award by the Turks and Caicos Tourism Association, the resort is known for its friendly service, elegant accommodations and delightful amenities. Villa del Mar is offering every 4th Night Free for stays started and completed between February 24 to March 31, 2017. Booking Information.
More information from the Turks and Caicos Weekly News.
