The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
odd: label: Introduction
content: Festival visitors could discover how a rich and vibrant Bahamian culture has evolved in its islands over the past four centuries, shaped by the forces of migration. After the Spanish removed the last of the indigenous Lucayans to work elsewhere in the Caribbean, the archipelago was settled by English who had left Bermuda for greater religious freedom and brought enslaved Africans with them. After American independence, British Loyalists and their slaves arrived from Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. In the 1820s, Black Seminoles escaped from the Florida coast and settled on the island of Andros. Throughout the 19th century, British ships freed Africans headed for slavery in the Americas and gave them land in The Bahamas. In the 1880s, tourists from the United States, en route to Havana, began to stop in Nassau, and hotels instituted racial segregation to accommodate them. Chinese, Syrian, and Greek immigrants, as well as people from throughout the Caribbean moved to The Bahamas, and Bahamians traveled to Europe, the United States, and Panama, primarily in search of work but for schooling as well. Although White Bahamians made up less than 15 percent of the population in 1994, they dominated politics until majority rule in 1967.

All of these people from Britain, Africa, U.S. African American and British American communities, Asia, and the Caribbean have had to develop strategies to survive in The Bahamas, and to adapt their cultures to local realities. It was these strategies that were presented at the Festival program. Bahamians expressed their creativity using local materials and themes. Communities throughout The Bahamas have developed their own specialties in crafts and foods, sacred and secular music, storytelling and narrative traditions, and their own particular accents. Over the year leading to the Festival, a team of Bahamian researchers knowledgeable in the history and culture of The Bahamas worked with the Smithsonian to assess and document contemporary traditional Bahamian culture, on display for Festival visitors to experience, learn, and enjoy.

John Franklin and Gail Saunders were Curators of the program; Angela Cleare was Project Coordinator in The Bahamas. Emily Botein served as Program Coordinator and Amy Andrus as Assistant Program Coordinator.

An Advisory Committee included Angela Cleare (Chairperson), Stan Burnside, Philip Burrows, Kayla Olubumni Lockhart Edwards, Everette Hart, Willamae johnson, Kim Outten, Maxwell Poitier, Gail Saunders, Rosemae Thompson, and Grace Turner.

The Bahamas was made possible with the collaboration of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Archives, with support from Barclay's Bank, the Private Trust Corporation, and Syntex Pharmaceutical International Ltd.
label: Researchers
content: Patricia Bazzard, Nicolette Bethel, Philip Burrows, Haldane Chase, Kayla Olubumni Lockhart Edwards, Percy "Vola" Francis, Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, Jolton Johnson, Pandora Johnson, Willamae Johnson, Jessica Minnis, Kim Outten, Gail Saunders, Tracey Thompson, Elaine Toote, Grace Turner, Patrice Williams, Keith Wisdom, David Wood

Additional research and photo documentation

Pete Reiniger, Lyle Rosbotham, Joan Wolbier
label: Presenters
content: Patricia Bazzard, Nicolette Bethel, Philip A. Burrows, Eddison "Fast Eddie" Dames, Kayla Olubumni Lockhart Edwards, Everette Hart, Jolton Johnson, Kim Outten, Tracey Thompson, Elaine Toote, Grace Turner, Keith Wisdom
label: Participants
content: CRAFTS

Peggy Colebrooke, straw worker, basket maker, Red Bays, Andros, Bahamas

William "Scrap Iron" Colebrooke, straw worker, basket maker, Red Bays, Andros, Bahamas

Viola Collie, straw & needle worker, Nassau, New Providence, ex-Masons Bay, Acklins, Bahamas

Allen Dixon, shell worker, Burnt Ground, Long Island, Bahamas

Cecile Annette Dunnam, quilter, Spanish Wells, Bahamas

Amos Ferguson, folk painter, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Bloneva Ferguson, rag doll maker, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Wendy Kelly, straw worker, Nassau, New Providence, ex-Acklins, Bahamas

Lorna Kemp, straw worker, Current Island, Eleuthera, Bahamas

Elsie Knowles, straw worker, O'Neals, Long Island, Bahamas

Olga Major, straw worker, Berry's, Long Island, Bahamas

Marie Murray, quilter, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Eloise Smith, straw worker, Farmer's Cay, Exuma, Bahamas

Henry Wallace, woodcarver, Red Bays, Andros, Bahamas

BOATBUILDERS

Joseph Albury, boat builder, Man of War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

Kingston Brown, boat builder, Cargill Creek, Andros, Bahamas

Bertis Knowles, boat builder, Mangrove Bush, Long Island, Bahamas

Ryan Knowles, boat builder, kite maker, Mangrove Bush, Long Island, Bahamas

Edward Lockhart, boat builder, Nassau, New Providence, ex-Ragged Island, Bahamas

STORYTELLERS

Derek Burrows, storyteller, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Sheddie Cox, storyteller, Inagua, Bahamas

Cleveland Eneas, storyteller, Bain Town, New Providence, Bahamas

Mabel Williams, storyteller, United Estates, San Salvador, Bahamas

FOODWAYS, BUSH MEDICINE

Samuel Collie, bush medicine, boat builder, storyteller, Pirate's Well, Mayaguana, Bahamas

Agnes Britely Ferguson, contemporary Bahamian cuisine, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Wealthy Gomez, contemporary Bahamian cuisine, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Anthony "Tony Macaroni" Hanna, conch cuisine, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas

Rowena Hepburn, fire hearth cooking, Bluff, Cat Island, Bahamas

Daisy Nottage, bush medicine, Behring Point, Andros, Bahamas

James Sweeting, traditional Bahamian cuisine, Nicholl's Town, Andros, Bahamas

Daisy Thompson, traditional baking, Gregory Town, Eleuthera, Bahamas

MUSICIANS

Cebric "Seabreeze" Bethel, vocals, Gregory Town, Eleuthera, Bahamas

Jane "Baby Doll" Clarke, drums, Exuma, Bahamas

Clifton Deveaux, gospel rhyme, Dunmore, Long Island, Bahamas

Israel Forbes, guitar, vocals, Bluff, South Andros, Bahamas

Macfarlane "Tony" Mackey, "Exuma the Obeah Man", Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Donald Newbold, anthem singer, Orange Creek, Cat Island, Bahamas

Patrick Rahming, vocals, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Nattie Saunders, banjo, Alice Town, Bimini, Bahamas

Dicey Doh, a cappella  -- Dicey Doh, a cappellaEdward Bethel, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasDwayne Curtis, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasGarland Dean, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasKermit C. Strachan, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasTex Turnquest, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Ed Maxey's Goombay Rake 'n Scrape  -- Ed Maxey's Goombay Rake 'n ScrapeCyril Oliver Dean, drum, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasEdmund Moxey, accordion, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasHuelon Newbold, saw, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Johnson Family and Friends, choral, wake music  -- Johnson Family and Friends, choral, wake musicEric Darville, New Bight, Cat Island, BahamasRoslyn Johnson, New Bight, Cat Island, BahamasBettymae McKenzie, New Bight, Cat Island, BahamasGraida Knowles, Steventon, Exuma, BahamasIva Thompson, New Bight, Cat Island, Bahamas

Osborne King and the Cat Island Mites, dancers  -- Osborne King and the Cat Island Mites, dancersOlivia Bowles, Orange Creek, Cat Island, BahamasBuina Cleare, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasSusiemae Dorsett, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasIshmel Gaitor, Dumfries, Cat Island, BahamasEugene Gilbert, Arthur's Town, Cat Island, BahamasPearl Hart, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasOsborne "Ossie" King, Nassau, New Providence, BahamasSam Webb, Arthur's Town, Cat Island, Bahamas

Thomas Cartwright and the Boys, goombay rake and scrape  -- Thomas Cartwright and the Boys, goombay rake and scrapeThomas Cartwright, accordion, Clarence Town, Long Island, BahamasHerbert Turnquest, saw, Clarence Town, Long Island, BahamasOrlando Turnquest, drum, Clarence Town, Long Island, Bahamas

"Zippy" Frazier and Children, a cappella, dry bones  -- "Zippy" Frazier and Children, a cappella, dry bonesDexter Frazier, Staniard Creek, Andros, BahamasHarrington Frazier, Jr., Staniard Creek, Andros, BahamasHarrington "Zippy" Frazier, Sr., Staniard Creek, Andros, BahamasQuintero Frazier, Staniard Creek, Andros, BahamasRicardo Frazier, Staniard Creek, Andros, Bahamas

MUSICAL DRAMATISTS

Avis Larrimore Armbrister, Arthur's Town, Cat Island, Bahamas

Almeda Campbell, Arthur's Town, Cat Island, Bahamas

JUNKANOO PARTICIPANTS

Anthony Bain (One Family), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Calvin Balfour (Most Qualified), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Stan Burnside (One Family), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Doyle A. Burrows (Valley Boys), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

John Chipman, goatskin drum maker, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Eugene Collie (Z Bandits), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Winston "Gus" Cooper (Valley Boys), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Bernard Davis (One Family), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Paul Henderson Deal (Fun Time), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Andrew Edwards (Vikings), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Percy "Vola" Francis (Saxon Superstars), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Donzel Huyler, Jr. (Most Qualified), cowbell maker, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Donzel "Donnie" Huyler, Sr. (Most Qualified), cowbell maker, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Glen Erick Knowles (Magnificent Congas), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Johnny Lee (Saxon Superstars), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Barry Miller (Valley Boys), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Peter Minnis (Saxon Superstars), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Anthony Morley (Magnificent Congas), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Wayde G. Robinson (Fancy Dancers), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Ted Sealey (Pigs), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Ronald Simms, Junkanoo Leaders Association, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

Quintin "Banabbes" Woodside (Roots), Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

JUNKANOO RUSH PARTICIPANTS

Classic Dancers  -- Classic DancersGodfrey "Pickey" Beneby, Ken "Motorboat" Ferguson

Fancy Dancers  -- Fancy DancersFelix Adderley, Henry Adderley, Keith Barr, Andrew Jared, Daren Johnson, Marco Mullings, Sharargo Oliver, Gary Rolle, Torn Thompson

Freeport  -- FreeportGodfrey Beneby

Fun Time  -- Fun TimeLeonard Bain, Stephen Davis, Franklyn Destama, Dudley Saunders

Harbour Boys  -- Harbour BoysOswald Knowles, Charles Michael Wright

Magnificent Congas  -- Magnificent CongasHarry Cooper, Reginald Demeritte, Aaron Deveaux, Gary Ferguson, Keith Johnson, Allan McClain, Jay Morley, Amos Rahming, Marvin Roker, Trevor Taylor, Alvin Thurston

Mighty Vikings  -- Mighty VikingsDave Adderley, Doroton Darling, Will Delancey, Marciano McKay, Clay Martin, Richard Martin, Deral Roker, Leon Roker, Audley Thompson, Paul Thurston, Dalon Williams

Most Qualified  -- Most QualifiedBenny Adderley, Anthony Bosfield, Trevor DaCosta, Roger Demeritte, Larry Forbes, Sean Neilly, Cecil Pinder, James Price, Andrew Wallace

One Family  -- One FamilyJohn Beadle, Ronald Campbell, Dennis Charlow, Gary Cooper, Teran Davis, Freddie Mackey, Robert Milfort, Dennie Saunder, Marvin Stubbs, Paul Thompson, Byron Trotman, Timmie Turnquest

Pigs  -- PigsEskit Dean, Tyrone Fitzgerald, William Newman

Roots  -- RootsKevin Adderley, Maxwell Beneby, Kevin Ferguson, Stirling March, Albert Rahming, Chris Rahming, David Rolle, Gary Rolle, Jason Simms, Cedric Taylor, Kenneth Walcott

Saxon Superstars  -- Saxon SuperstarsSean Adderley, Alexander Green, George Henderson, Jerome Johnson, Dion Miller, Theodore Parker, Clinton Paul, Gregory Pickering, Kingsley Pickering, Jeffrey Rahming

Superstar Rockers  -- Superstar RockersErnest Demeritte, Barry Wilson

Swingers LTD  -- Swingers LTDPhilip Hanna, Errol Seymour, Anthony "Huck" Williams

Valley Boys  -- Valley BoysCunlta Herbert Bain, Howard Bethel, Ronnie Cash, Ryan Dorsett, Robert Ferguson, Sean Fernander, Michael Foster, Andrew Hunter, Kemuel Gardiner, Shayne Moncur, Tyrone Peterson, Dew Poitier, Dennis Sturrup, Kim Thompson, Tony Williams

Western Jammers  -- Western JammersGordon Grant, Wesley "Tanker" Williams

Z Bandits  -- Z BanditsAdmiral Collie, Tito Collie, Chris Elliot, Herbert Miller
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
setName: label: See more items in
content: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1994 Festival of American Folklife
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
identifier: label: Identifier
content: CFCH.SFF.1994, Series 2
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials