Exam Day and Junkanoo

Students had there exam day today. There was much groaning after the fact. Comments from two of the students indicated this might have been the most difficult exam they have had in all of their studies. Well, at least they all had Junkanoo to look forward too, following the exam, and they now have proper expectaions for the rest of the course work and future exams.

After finishing the exam, we loaded into vans with the Eco Tourism students and headed to Nichols Town. The costumes, dancing, and drumming were very entertaining. Junkanoo is a celebration initiated by the slave population of Andros. It celebrated the three days per year the slaves were free from work; Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Years. Tradition has it that the remnants of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes were used to make colorful costumes and masks. These were integrated with customs and dances from the African culture of the slave population. The festival is celebrated in the fashion of Carnival and Mardi Gra. It's quite the party on Nassau we are told. This local celebration was held at the local high school and was well attended by the local community. Children traveled up to 50 miles to attend and compete. They were adorable and they all had their groove thing goin' on.