What Makes The Bahamas Unique?
Every culture has they own idiosyncrasies that make them who they are. The Bahamas and their people are no different. Born of varied nationalities and heritages, they have combined each into one large mass that is entirely their own. Most of the people who call the Bahamas their home are of West African descent, their ancestors being slaves until the practice was abolished by the British in 1834. The rest of the inhabitants are descended from white settlers who either emigrated to the islands to escape religious persecution or were Loyalists who fled the United States during the American Revolution. These two groups have formed a rich culture that is uniquely their own.
Because the islands lacked fertile land for crops, the people who lived there became very proficient sea farers, learning to live off of the sea by sponging, fishing, and, in later years, gunrunning and for some, piracy. Their laidback and relaxed ways are from being able to enjoy what is about them, from food to shelter to employment. They love life and marriage celebrations start weeks before the wedding. Funerals celebrate the life of the grieved long after they are gone. They are friendly, adventurous, and very willing to share their islands and their gifts with you.
Art and music is something that is very predominant in the Bahamian culture. Tourists will find brightly coloured arts and crafts everywhere they go and will see it reflected in the many outfits the local people wear. The music is varied, a combination of African, English, and native Calypso. It is very rhythmic and usually features drums of every sort, from skin covered to steel. Some of the native music was actually used to accompany dances such as the Bahamian Quadrille and the Heel and Toe Polka, a perfect blending of the populace's cultures. Visitors who are lucky enough to attend a Junkanoo parade will be treated to colourful costumes and dancing that has origins in West Africa.
Because of the tourist trade, a visitor there can find just about any food they want. The one thing they need to do, though, is sampled the local cuisine. Seafood based, it includes dishes made with conch, lobster, crab, and fish. Souse, a soup unique to the area, is made of water, onions, lime juice, celery, peppers and meat, which could be chicken, sheep's tongue, oxtail, or pig's feet. And never expect Bahamian cooking to be anything less than spicy.
Medicine practiced in the Bahamas is very plant based, healers on the island using indigenous plants to make remedies to relieve just about any illness one can think of. This practice is called bush medicine and they are very adept at its practice. With over a hundred different plants across the islands, such as Aloe Vera, Spanish Sage, and Bagarina to use, it's no wonder they are so good at healing.
Shopping is one of the biggest tourist trades across the islands and one of the most famous markets is the Straw Market on Nassau. Half the fun is being able to haggle with the many vendors and crafters located there and American visitors do not have to worry about exchanging their dollars for something else as it is accepted throughout the islands. English is the main language spoken there, but the syncopated rhythm in the native's speech is also unique to them, a flavourful mixture of the Queen's English, African influence, and centuries of making it uniquely their own.
Please Rate this Article
Source: http://www.rightarticle.com/Article/Taking-A-Bahama-Cruise/98231
