Bahamians, Jamaicans — even revelers in Key West, Florida — celebrate JUNKANOO both on December 26th and New Year’s Day. There are different accounts of the origins of Junkanoo — the most common has something vague to do with a legendary West African merchant, John Canoe. Most agree that the tradition is over 200 years old and began as a celebration of African slaves either to mark their yearly three day Christmas “holiday,” or of former slaves to mark their emancipation.
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