The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Daniel Johnson yesterday defended the government’s decision to host the first “Bahamian styled” Carnival in May 2015.

Dr Johnson also denied reports that the carnival would “corrupt and confuse” Bahamians but said it will “reinvigorate our music art and culture industries by injecting new life and energy into both existing and newer festivals”. 

Dr Johnson’s comments came a day after he said he was “attacked unnecessarily” by musician and entertainer Kirkland Bodie.

In a letter in The Nassau Guardian, Mr Bodie said that neither Dr Johnson nor “his minions have come up with an intelligent reason why we should proceed with this hedonistic festival with the taxpayers’ money.”

He wrote: “The word coming out of your workshop on my objection to the carnival idea is that the people who will attend this naked parade will have no clue who KB is. Well, sir, I don’t want that type of audience. My audience has more class than skipping through the streets rubbing up on each other, drinking rum and cavorting around as if in a Roman or Greek orgy exhibition .... I do not care if it makes billions. The Devil usually comes adorned in glitz to fool the public.

“This carnival is not ours and it will corrupt our nation. I am asking the church to keep a close eye on this carnival thing and watch as the government brings indifferent morals and a low vibration festival to further confuse our nation.”

However, Dr Johnson said while Junkanoo remained the most recognised and longest standing cultural expression in The Bahamas, it has given the country little financial benefit. He said the government is using the festival to present The Bahamas to the world.

“All around the world, culture and cultural industries are being incorporated into the national economic model of small developing nations. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture takes very seriously our role in protecting and promoting Bahamian art and culture.  To this extent, we have signed on to key UNESCO Conventions to assist us with the comprehensive review and indemnification of our art and culture,” Dr Johnson said.

“The Bahamas, like most of the Caribbean, was built upon enslaved African labour. This painful experience is often depicted in our many forms of cultural expression.  We in the modern Bahamas certainly promote art and free expression but find personal attacks distasteful and unuseful with the national debate. History shows that when we were given holidays we used this opportunity to celebrate what we had in common and demonstrate who we are as a people.

“While Junkanoo remains the most recognised and longest standing cultural expression in The Bahamas; it is one from which very little economic benefit is derived.  We have the best opportunity to update and expand our brand on the world stage.  The concept of Masquerade and Carnival is a worldwide brand.

“Before we had the National Junkanoo Committee, it was called the National Masquerade Committee. This is a worldwide music and entertainment tour with which we will now be one of the greatest stops in the world. The entry of The Bahamas will gain the recognition and the attention of the world.”

Dr Johnson said carnivals in Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda have created opportunities where the local music has gained international exposure.

The government is expected to spend $9m on the plan to introduce the Bahamas Carnival.