The Bahamas is an English-speaking country. It shares maritime borders with the United States, Cuba, and Haiti. Join Saed News to explore the festivals of this country.
The Bahamas, officially known as the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an English-speaking country comprising over 3,000 large and small islands in the Atlantic Ocean, located east of Florida, USA, and north of Cuba. The capital of The Bahamas is Nassau. The Bahamas is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It shares maritime borders with the United States, Cuba, and Haiti. The Bahamas was the first land in the New World where Christopher Columbus anchored in 1492. The name "Bahamas" is derived from the Spanish words baja mar, meaning "shallow sea."
The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is a film festival that has been held annually in The Bahamas since its establishment in 2004, taking place in early December. This non-profit festival presents a diverse selection of films from around the world to local communities and international visitors. In addition to screening films that may not otherwise be shown in Bahamian cinemas, BIFF provides a unique cultural experience, educational programs, and forums discussing the future of cinema. The festival was founded and is directed by Leslie Vanderpool. The feature film The Badger, directed by Kazem Mollaie, was screened in the New Vision section (dedicated to first- and second-time directors) at the 17th edition of BIFF in 2021.
The most famous festival in The Bahamas, Junkanoo, takes place during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The rhythmic beats of goatskin drums, large pieces of crepe paper swirling through the air, feather-adorned costumes, and dancers dressed in vibrant yellow and fiery red moving collectively along the coastal streets create a spectacular performance that should not be missed. The national festival of The Bahamas, known as Junkanoo, has its roots in the country's days of slavery and is celebrated on Boxing Day (December 26) in the capital, as well as on New Year's Day, just after midnight.
The name "Bahamas" originates from the Spanish words baja mar, meaning "shallow sea." About 85% of the Bahamian population is of African descent, 12% is of European ancestry, and 3% is of Asian origin. The indigenous people of The Bahamas were the Lucayans, a branch of the Taíno people who spoke the Arawakan language. The Bahamas was the first land in the New World where Christopher Columbus set foot in 1492.
