Bahamians Enjoy the Parade of Nations at Carifesta XV in Barbados

BRIDGETOWN,  Barbados –– Members of The Bahamas Delegation to the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (Carifesta) XV expressed positive feedback on the Parade of Nations that took them through Bridgetown, Barbados, from Golden Square Freedom Park to Queen’s Park, on August 22, 2025.

“The Parade of Nations was exciting and exhilarating,” said Senior Cultural Affairs Officer, Organising Secretary of the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival and Bahamas Delegation Group Leader for Band, Sonovia Pierre.  “As we prepared in Freedom Square, you had an opportunity to observe bits of culture from each country.  (For example) We asked Suriname about the black devils (costumes), and they explained that in slavery days, they used black oil to cover the body as a way to hide their identity.”

Group Leader for the Culinary Group Brittany A. A. Humes added, “The Parade of Nations was such a beautiful reminder of unity.  Seeing everyone come together truly showed that we are one.”

Members of the delegation included representatives of various areas of cultural expression, notably the visual and performing arts, dance, literature, film, theater, culinary arts and Junkanoo.

Director of Culture, Dereka Deleveaux-Grant leads the delegation, with Under Secretary at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Gayle Outten-Moncur as the top Bahamian official from the Ministry travelling with its members.

More than 2,500 delegates from 25 participating countries are taking part in Carifesta XV, with representatives of most of them taking part in the Parade of Nations.

Group Leader for Theatre Arts and Cultural Affairs Officer L. Terez Davis said that she enjoyed how unplanned The Bahamas’ Religious Cultural Heritage came out as they sang “the Praises of Jehovah God” during the Parade.  Members of the musical theatrical production “First Come Mourning” led in singing “old-time” hymns at times on the Parade.

“It was great to see persons on the sidelines, some engaged, others amazed that we had the boldness to lift Jesus Christ unashamedly,” Ms. Davis said.

Assistant Director of Culture, author and storyteller Portia Sands noted that the Parade of Nations was “an exciting display of authentic cultural expression”.                                                                                                                                                                                                               “It was fascinating to see the beautiful mesh of clothing, costumes and music,” she said.  “It evoked feelings of national pride while fostering unity as a Caribbean unit.”

Playwright and author Patrice Francis added her insight into the cultural richness on display on the Parade.

She said, “First of all, there are a number of keystone experiences here at Carifesta XV, that, one, makes me so proud to be Bahamian and, two, makes me feel so grateful that our Government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, saw fit for us to be here.

Ms. Francis added, “Being at the parade of the nations was so exciting.  We got there seeing all of the nations in their native garb, seeing some of the men and women up on the stilts, as they do in some of the Caribbean nations and just the camaraderie, among us as Bahamas.”

She pointed to a “Dis We Tings” song popularised by the late Kayla Edwards and another that said that “all a we is one family, all a we is one”.

“And if it is something I can say about the Bahamians, we know how to be one, we know how to be united and how to represent our country with a spirit of Celebration and festivity,” Ms. Francis said.

“And that is what that parade of nations was really all about,” she added.  “And just seeing us gather, just waiting to queue up and for those who took part in the entire march, just the excitement and the collective sense of festivity was wonderful to behold, and to be a part of.”

According to CARICOM, Carifesta is an international multicultural event organized on a periodic basis by countries of the Caribbean.  The theme of this year’s festival, which is scheduled from August 22 -31, is “Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence”.

PHOTO CAPTION: Highlights of the cultural expression on display during the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (Carifesta) XV Parade of Nations held in Bridgetown, Barbados August 22, 2025.  (BIS Photos/Eric Rose)