Bahamas News
Minister Rolle Shares a Taste of Bahamian Culture at Forum in Dubai
#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.”
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
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