Origin
The idea of Junior Junkanoo originated in 1987 when members of the National Junkanoo Committee, the Junkanoo Leaders Association representatives of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture visited Carnival in Trinidad.
They first observed the participation, involvement and integration of Principals, Teachers, Parents, Supervisors and Students at various schools, preparing for what they call Kiddies Carnival, and wondered what it would be like to bring about an idea like this to the Bahamas.
Then in 1988, the vision to host the first Junior Junkanoo Parade in New Providence was conceived. At the inception of the Junior Program, the purpose, the objective and rules governing the Parades were defined to continue to promote Junkanoo and other activities connected with the National Cultural Festival.
The Junior Junkanoo Program is an outlet for the extraordinary vitality of Bahamian students and therefore stands out as a means of affirming and enhancing the cultural identity of Bahamians and that the parade itself not only provides exciting entertainment but also serves as a vehicle of cultural interaction between public and private schools.
Purpose
The Junior Junkanoo Program was designed to bring together young people through workshops, seminars and summer programmes, to be taught the fundamentals of Junkanoo design, Music, Costuming and Dance, and to instruct and assist organizers, participants and Judges in further devaluing the art of Junkanoo in New Providence and the Family Islands; subsequently, creating an atmosphere for the social development of our youth, and to provide wholesome, positive and creative activities for students. Such a measure would ensure the survival and continual growth of Junkanoo in the Bahamas for years to come.
Objectives
It is intended to:
1. To begin to develop in school age children, in general and young Bahamians in particular, to foster a greater appreciation for Junkanoo.
2. To develop in the young populace a higher degree of interest in participation, separate and apart from Major adult Groups.