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Minister Rolle Shares a Taste of Bahamian Culture at Forum in Dubai

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#DUBAI, November 30, 2018 – UAE – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Lanisha Rolle gave a brief taste of the topic of Bahamian culture to the delegates and distinguished guests in attendance at the First United Arab Emirates Caribbean Cooperation Forum, in the city of Dubai, on November 24, 2018.

“Excellencies, this event is not only timely but visionary,” Minister Rolle noted. “As the world transforms from the status of national states to a global village, each country’s culture above all is being impacted predominantly by the advancement of technology, and the desire of nations to work in unity to enhance our relationships, and build better nations for our people to work and our children to grow and play.”

“Indeed, it is essential that while we recognize all that we have in common, it is equally important that we preserve our individual cultures,” she added. “With this backdrop, I will attempt to share succinctly yet informatively with respect to the multiple facets of the Bahamian culture, in particular, our prominent industries, music, arts, cuisine, customary practices and religion as well as note factors that impact cultural trends and transformation.”

Minister Rolle also thanked the organizers for their invitation, warm hospitality, and for the opportunity to share with on the topic. She pointed out that it would be it would be remiss of her if she were not to boast of the thing that all Bahamians say, ‘identify us’ and brings everyone together: Junkanoo.

Minister Rolle began by giving a brief talk on Junkanoo and termed it “The Bahamas’ premier cultural festival”.

“The Junkanoo Parade is a collection of cultural expressions inclusive of fine arts, native music and the work of local artists,” she noted during her talk. “Every aspect of the parade is unique, from the creation of giant 30-foot costumes made from local card board and crepe paper, to the manufacturing of drums made from goat-skin harvested on our very islands, to the unique Afro-Caribbean dance and sounds that create a spirit that inspires Bahamian pride and an atmosphere of jubilance.

“Notably, the festival unites a cross-section of people from varying economic statuses, demographics and religious backgrounds. Junkanoo only speaks one language for the people of The Bahamas, and that’s ‘We Bahamian and Proud’.”

Minister Rolle pointed out that, worthy of mention, was the industry’s efforts to include Bahamian youth in the rich cultural experience.

“As a part of our strategic cultural succession plan, for 30 years we have developed a Junior Junkanoo Program as a feeder system and strategic tool to educate our school children regarding the value of our heritage and the culture of our ancestors,” she said.

She then gave a brief introduction to “good island food”, saying that The Bahamas is also known for its rich cuisine inclusive of the delicacies of native conch, lobster and fish, all organically grown in its waters.

“Our professional chefs and local house cooks have developed a rich combination of spices and unique food handling and preparation techniques; in addition to mouth-watering flavours that leave our natives and visitors alike returning for more,” Minister Rolle said. “While there are fast food restaurants mainly in the capital city of Nassau, there is a love for morning boil and stew fish with warm freshly-baked johnny bread, the famous conch burgers, cracked conch or famous ‘chicken-in-da-bag’ for lunch, and conch salad or fritters for appetizers, and our scrumptious green peas and rice, fresh fried grouper or snapper fish, broiled crawfish or lobster for dinner, and a variety of native fruit drinks such as the coconut sky-juice.”

She pointed out that it was customary to eat at least three meals per day, and prepare great feasts during Christmas holidays, and a spread for adult birthday celebrations. Indicative of the Caribbean and Latin American countries, foods prepared in The Bahamas are normally seasoned and spicy, she added.

“Demonstrating our ability to attain excellence in culinary arts, this year, The Bahamas National Culinary Team was selected as the region’s best in the ‘Taste of the Caribbean Competition’,” she said. “Indeed, this achievement speaks to the high standard of food preparation practiced within our jurisdiction to the satisfaction of the world.”

Minister Rolle stated that freedom of religion is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution of The Bahamas and that citizens, visitors and residents are free to exercise their religious belief.

“Sports and developing professional athletes also play a significant role in our Bahamian culture,” she said. “Education is also a most important aspect of our culture and thus pre, primary and secondary education is provided free of charge.”

Minister Rolle noted that some forces that influence Bahamian cultural platform include climate change, irregular migration and poaching.

“While we recognize that these problems are not unique to The Bahamas, we appreciate the need for countries to work collaboratively to ensure the preservation of our cultural identity,” she said.

“Transformation of our cultural industry requires the development of facilities such as a Local Performing Arts Theatre and a state-of-the-art Music Recording Studio,” Minister Rolle added. “A formalized cultural education curriculum would also ensure the necessary further development of our cultural values and initiatives.”

Minister Rolle quoted Marcus Garvey, whom she termed a well-known Caribbean Politician, by saying, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

“Fellow Delegates, ironically and quite significantly, my Ministry’s theme for our 2018 National Cultural Month in December is: ‘The Root, The Tree, The Fruit’, a theme which speaks holistically to the essence of our Bahamian/Caribbean Culture,” she said. “On that note, on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas and in my capacity as the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, I wish to congratulate this honourable body on a successful cooperative forum, and look forward to the fruits that will bear from the seeds planted during this inaugural conference.

“I thank you once again for allowing The Bahamas to be a part of this ground-breaking experience and wish your country every success.”

 

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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