The Junkanoo community came together yesterday in a festive commemoration of the life and death of “national treasure” and “cultural icon”, Jackson Burnside.
Bay Street was closed to vehicular traffic as thousands of Junkanooers rushed the street in full costume to ensure that “a good man rests in peace.”
For the first time anyone can remember, a major Junkanoo rush was performed out of season. This sort of event has only taken place in the past at Christmas and New Years.
“Today is very special to me. This does not happen very often. This is the first one I know of,” James Alexander Stubbs, a One Family member who worked with Mr Burnside for years told a reporter.
There was a sense of pride, wonder and inspiration at the out-of-season procession of culture on Bay Street. Many said the music sounded sweeter, echoing Jackson Burnside’s own words in his thoughts on an “expanded Bay Street Festival.”
“Winning first place is obviously very important to a Junkanoo competitor. Enjoyment of a sweet rush celebration of our traditions, and guarding our cultural heritage should also be most important,” Mr Burnside once wrote.
Jackson’s brother Stanley Burnside was touched by the love and unity expressed in the collaboration shown by the the Junkanoo community, who all came together to truly express the Bahamian motto, “forward, upward and onward together.”
The spirit-filled downtown rush followed the “mass of thanksgiving” held at St Anges Anglican Church where there was standing room only.
Junkanoo leaders and Bahamians from across the archipelagio, and from all walks of life, came to Nassau to honour Mr Burnside.
“Jackson would be proud to see what is going on here today,” said Percy “Vola” Francis, leader of the Saxons Superstars Junkanoo Group.
The Junkanoo community had also come together the night before the thanksgiving service, staging a late-night mini rush over-the-hill. The groups rushed past the home of Mr Jackson’s 93-year old mother Gertrude Burnside. The event was attended by hundreds of Mr Jackson’s friends and associates.
