Religious Songs and Drums in the Bahamas - Various Artists

 

In this collection of Religious Songs and Drums in the Bahamas, Marshall Stearns demonstrates the strong external influences on Bahamian music and culture. The religious music by the Baptist-Methodist Group and the Congregation of the Church of God suggest a certain influence of American gospel music, while the drumming of the “Ring Game,” “Heel and Toe Polka,” and “Jumping Dance” indicate a continuance of African drumming traditions with the scraping element of a saw, unique to Bahamian “rake ‘n’ scrape” music.

 

 

 

 

 

Religious Songs and Drums in the Bahamas

Release Date: 1953
Label: Folkways Records

Tracklisting:
Alfred Henderson - Ring Play 00:00
Alfred Henderson, Gabriel Adderly - Fire Dance 01:14
Baptist-Methodist Group - In the Upper Room 03:46
Baptist-Methodist Group - Please Hear Me When I Call 07:26
Baptist-Methodist Group - Walk and Talk to Glory 10:44
Church of God Congregation (Nassau, Bahamas) - Church of God Congregation, Nassau-1 13:08
Church of God Congregation (Nassau, Bahamas) - Church of God Congregation, Nassau-2 16:42
Church of God Congregation (Nassau, Bahamas) - Church of God Congregation, Nassau 23:08
Harcourt Symonette, Gabriel Adderly, Alfred Henderson - Jumping Dance 26:30
Howard Johnson, Alfred Henderson - Heel and Toe Polka 30:58
Howard Johnson, Alfred Henderson, Gabriel Adderly - Jook Dance 32:20

 

Related music: I Don't Like Rum 

Related music: Conga Scrape

Acklins Cascarilla Festival

 

The 5th Annual

 

Acklins Cascarilla Festival

 

June11th-14th, 2026

 

Spring Point, Acklins

 

The Acklins Cascarilla Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration held annually on the island of Acklins in The Bahamas. The festival honors the island’s rich heritage and highlights the historical importance of the cascarilla tree.

 

Related article: Cascarilla: Nature, Uses, and Value

Regatta Dates 2026

 

Related article: Bahamian Sloop Sailing and Regattas

20th Annual Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival

 

20th Annual Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival

 

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announces the staging of the annual Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival, marking 20 years in existence. The two-day festival scheduled for 13-14 March is scheduled to take place in George Town, Exuma, at the Regatta Park. 

Under the theme, “Celebrating our past, embracing our future”, this year’s festival marks two decades of honouring the vibrant culture, music and traditions of The Bahamas, offering an immersive experience that highlights the spirit of Bahamian heritage.  Read more>>

Forward, Upward, Onward, Together

"Together" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Forward, Upward, Onward, Together

An Ode to the Bahamian Spirit

In the heart of the Lucayan sea, where the turquoise waters roll,
There lives a mantra etched in gold, the heartbeat of a soul.
Not merely words upon a crest, or ink on parchment dried,
But a sacred vow of unity, a nation’s source of pride.
Four pillars hold the ceiling high above our island home,
From the pine forests of Abaco to the Inagua’s salt-white foam.

Forward is the steady beat, the drum within the breast,
The refusal to be stagnant or to settle for the rest.
It is the stride of progress since the dawn of '73,
A sovereign people breaking chains to find their destiny.
Like the marlin in the current, we push against the tide,
With innovation in our hands and history as our guide.
It means we build the bridges where the gaps were wide and deep,
And plant the seeds of industry for future sons to reap.

Upward is the eagle’s gaze, the lifting of the eye,
To heights of excellence that reach beyond the summer sky.
It is the student in the classroom, the athlete on the track,
The reaching for the highest star and never looking back.
It speaks of moral character, of rising from the dust,
Of building up a government on integrity and trust.
Like the towering Royal Palm that bends but does not break,
We lift our standards higher for the next generation's sake.

242Day Celebration Meal

 

242Day Celebration Meal - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Pan fried bread, fried Snapper, chunky conch chowder.

 

 

 242Day Guava duff - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

#242Day #CelebrateBahamas 

Bahamian Poetry by James Catalyn

 

James Catalyn with Bahamas Flag

 

 

Being Bahamian

by james j. Catalyn ©11th june 2009

I am proud of my heritage
My colour
My people
I am proud of my language, “Bahamianese”
My music
My foods
I am proud of those who have achieved
And those who may not have had
The opportunity
They are my fellowmen
I am proud of my National Symbols
And my faith in things spiritual
I am proud that I am me
And being Bahamian
I am Bahamian and Proud!

Celebrate 242Day

 

 "Celebrate 242Day Bahamas" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Celebrate 242Day

On the twenty-fourth of February, hear the islands say,
Rise up, hearts of turquoise seas, it’s bright 242Day.
From coral keys to bustling towns where trade winds gently sway,
We gather as one people proud to honor who we are today.

The sun spills gold on ocean blues, on sands so warm and wide,
And every wave that kisses shore brings Bahamian pride.
It whispers through the coconut trees, it hums in Junkanoo drums,
It lives in every smiling face wherever our spirit comes.

So dress yourself in colors bold that mirror sea and sky,
Aquamarine and gold and black, let every banner fly.
Wrap up in Bahamian print, bright patterns stitched with care,
Let fabric tell our story loud in marketplaces fair.

Wear the flag upon your chest, let strangers see it shine,
A living sign of who we are, this heritage divine.
For black speaks strong of people’s might, our unity and name,
Gold beams warm as sunlight’s hope, aquamarine seas our claim.

Happy 242Day Bahamas

 

 

 #242Day #CelebrateBahamas 

 

Related article: Celebrate 242Day Bahamas

Related article: Report on Bahamian Culture

Celebrate 242Day Bahamas

 

Celebrate 242Day Bahamas

 

 Celebrate Bahamian Pride

Tuesday, 24th of February, 2026
 
• Wear National Flag Colours
or Bahamian Print
 
 • Enjoy a delicious Bahamian Dish
 
• Enjoy Bahamian Music, Art or Entertainment
all day long

 

• Share photos using the hashtags below

#242Day #CelebrateBahamas

 

Visit: Celebrate Bahamas 

Culture & Couture Fashion Show

Culture & Couture Fashion Show

 

 February 23rd, 2026 at 6:30pm

The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas

 

For more information follow

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Bahamas on Facebook.

"Cascarilla Tree" - Bahamas AI Image

©A. Derek Catalano

 

The cascarilla tree — its biology, geography, harvesting, uses (traditional, commercial, scientific, and industry), and what it would take to establish a lucrative cascarilla processing/export business in The Bahamas.

The Cascarilla Tree and Its Bark: Nature, Uses, and Value

 

1. Botanical Description

Cascarilla refers to the dried bark of Croton eluteria, a small aromatic tree in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The plant is native to the Caribbean region, including The Bahamas, and also grows in parts of Central America and other tropical areas. It typically grows as a shrub or small tree up to about 12–20 feet tall with pale yellowish-brown fissured bark, scanty lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of small white fragrant flowers (often in spring).

The name Croton eluteria reflects its botanical lineage: Croton from the Greek for “a tick” (referring to seed shape) and eluteria said to reference the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas.

In the field, the bark is easily stripped from twigs and branches, then dried before further processing.

The Queen is Back! Sweet Emily Drops New Single

 

The Queen of Rake n Scrape, our very own Sweet Emily, has a special gift for everyone this Valentine’s season. She just announced her brand-new single titled “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”

Sweet Emily shared the big news on her Facebook page, showing off a beautiful new cover (check it out above!) and giving us the heads-up that this track is dropping just in time for the holiday of love. Whether it comes out right before or on Valentine’s Day, it’s definitely going to be the perfect song to set the mood.

A Bahamian Legend

​We all know and love Sweet Emily for her classic hits that get everyone on the dance floor, like:

• ​“Someday”

• ​“Look What Ya Do”

• ​“Its Junkanoo”

​She’s been busy lately, too! You can find her featured in the 2026 Bahama Beat Calendar presented by BAF General. She’s standing alongside other Bahamian greats like Shine, KB, Juliet Believe, and Stileet. It’s amazing to see our legends getting the shine they deserve.

​Spread the Love

​Make sure you keep an eye out for the official release of “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” Once it drops, be sure to share it with your friends, family, and that special someone!

The Region Bells - Send Down Fire

 

 

 

The Region Bells - Send Down Fire

 

Visit my Vintage Gold Bahamian Music 

The Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championship

 

The Sir Durward Knowles

National Junior Sailing Championship

 

February 19-21, 2026

Montague Foreshore

Nassau, Bahamas 

2026 Junior Junkanoo Parade

 

2026 Junior Junkanoo Parade

 

 Thursday 29th January 2026, 6pm
Downtown Bay St.

Nassau, Bahamas 

 

TICKETS AVAILABLE 

 

The 2026 Junior Junkanoo Ticket Sales will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026 at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture's Ground Floor Foyer at University Drive beginning at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day until the Parade Day at prices of $5.00 from the entry point to Royal Bank and $10.00 from Scotiabank through Rawson Square to East Street

 

 

Related article: Bahamas Junkanoo Parade

Culture at the Cay

 

Get ready for Culture at the Cay!

The Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture invites the public to Arawak Cay, Nassau, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 12PM to 10PM for a full day of Bahamian music, art, food and family fun.

Enjoy exciting activities including breadmaking and pizza making, live painting by Preston Hanna, the All Bahamian Book Fair, costume and decorating competitions, Bahamian Flix, game time, a national dance showcase, and so much more!

Bring the entire family and come experience the vibrant spirit of our culture by the sea.
 

Don’t miss it!

Mad Mask - Phone Wallpaper

 

"Mad Mask" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3072x5376

Totin'

 

I bin totin' on Christmas day. 😊

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Related article: A Look at Bahamian Cuisine

2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade: December 25th, 2025

 

 

 

 2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade: December 25th, 2025 

 

Related article: Boxing Day: Meaning and Origins