CULTURE
The Bahamas is located in the Caribbean, the chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba. The capital of the Bahamas is Nassau, they have a tropical marine climate which is moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream. The population of the Bahamas in 2012 (the latest update) was 371,960; 85% of the population is black, 12% is white, and 3% is Asian and Hispanic. 35.4% of the population is Baptists, 15.1% is Anglican, 13.5% is Roman Catholic, 8.1% is Pentecostal, 4.8% is Church of Christ, 4.2% is Methodists, 15.2% is other Christianity,2.9% is none or unspecified, and other is 0.8%. The government is a constitutional parliamentary democracy. English is the official language and is widely spoken. Creole is used among Haitian immigrants. Bahamas are known for being friendly, outgoing and informal. However they also maintain a sense of etiquette (the most common greeting is the handshake, accompanied by direct eye contact and a welcoming smile) and are very polite. Hospitality is an extension of this and they like to get to know people, say hello to strangers and invite people into their homes. Sharing a meal is the most common way to build a relationship. Bahamians have a good sense of humor and use it often. They respect people who are modest and humble. As well as making fun of themselves they excellent at teasing others, making fun of each other is seen as harmless. If invited to a Bahamian’s home, bring fruit, flowers, or wine for the hosts. Gifts are generally opened when received. “Music is also in the very bones of the people. African rhythms, Caribbean Calypso, English folk songs, and the uniquely Bahamian 'Goombay' (the Bantu word for rhythm, which also refers to the type of goatskin drum used to produce the rolling rhythmical beat) echo in the air. Rake and scrape bands have been playing goombay music since the time of slavery, when with few resources, bands fashioned their drum out of a pork barrel and goatskin, scraped a metal file over a carpenter's saw, made maracas from seed pods and played a home-made bass violin (a washtub with a string through it that was tied to a three-foot stick).” For Sports and Recreational Activities, they have Ardastra Gardens, Zoo, Beaches, Dolphin Encounters, Stingray City, Pirates of Nassau Museum, Dining, and Shopping. On February 6-28, the Grand Bahama Artist's Assocation Annual Valentine Art Exhibition, on April 19, the West End Junior Sailing Regatta, on April 21, the 15th Annual Pelican Point Coconut Festival, on May1-7, the Hunt for Bonefish, on May 5, the World Labryinth Day "Walk as One at One", on May 31, the Eight Mile Rock International Cultural Festival, on June 20,, the Grand Bahama Regatta, on June 21, the 3rd Annual West End Snapper Tournament & Festival, the Junkanoo is an important Bahamian cultural event that recognizes a special time in the history of The Islands of The Bahamas. During the pre-Emancipation era, slaves created Junkanoo to celebrate their three (3) days off each year - December 25th and 26th and January 1st. Their annual Junkanoo parades feature a vibrant display of flamboyant handmade costumes, indigenous music and special themes. The Boxing Day and New Year's parades are held at East Mall Drive on December 26th and January 1st; and, The Junkanoo Summer Festival is held at Taino Beach from mid-July to mid-August. The Bahamans eat soup; Bahamian fish chowder can be prepared in any number of ways. Old-time chefs tell us that it's best when made with grouper. To that, they add celery, onions, tomatoes, and an array of flavorings that might include A1 steak sauce (or Worcestershire, or both), along with thyme, cooking sherry, a bit of dark rum, and lime juice. They also eat conch; the national food of The Bahamas is conch (pronounced "konk"). This mollusk's firm white meat is enjoyed throughout the islands. It actually tastes somewhat bland, at least until Bahamian chefs get their hands on it. Locals eat it as a snack (usually served at happy hours in taverns and bars), as a main dish, as a salad, and as an hors d'oeuvre; other sea foods that the Bahamans eat include, the most elegant item you'll see on nearly any menu in The Bahamas is the local spiny lobster. A tropical cousin of the Maine lobster, it is also called crayfish or rock lobster. Only the tail is eaten, however, and it's not as sweet as the Maine species. You get fresh lobster only in season, from the beginning of April until the end of August. Otherwise, it's frozen. Also, the Bahamans eat Peas ‘n’ Rice & Johnnycake, If mashed potatoes are the national starch of the United States, then peas 'n' rice fulfills that role in The Bahamas. Peas 'n' rice, like potatoes, can be prepared in a number of ways. One popular method is to cook pigeon peas (which grow in pods on small trees) or black-eyed peas with salt pork, tomatoes, celery, uncooked rice, thyme, green pepper, onion, salt, pepper, and whatever special touch a chef wants to add. When it's served as a side dish, Bahamians often sprinkle hot sauce over the concoction. The Bahamans also like Tropical Fruits, they make inventive dishes out of them, including soursop ice cream and sapodilla pudding. Guavas are used to make their famous guava duff dessert. The islanders also grow and enjoy melons, pineapples, passion fruit, and mangoes. Their most famous fruit is the papaya, which is called "pawpaw" or "melon tree." It's made into a dessert or chutney or eaten for breakfast in its natural state. It's also used in many lunch and dinner recipes. An old Bahamian custom of using papaya as a meat tenderizer has, at least since the 1970s. They also have Rums, Liqueurs & Specialty Drinks, although rum came north from Cuba and Jamaica, Bahamians quickly adopted it as their national alcoholic beverage. Using their imagination, they invented several local drinks, including the Yellow Bird, the Bahama Mama, and the Goombay Smash. The Yellow Bird is made with crème de banana liqueur, Vat 19 rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, apricot brandy, and Galliano. A Bahama Mama has Vat 19, citrus juice (perhaps pineapple, too), bitters, a dash of nutmeg, crème de cassis, and a hint of grenadine. The Goombay Smash usually consists of coconut rum, pineapple juice, lemon juice, Triple Sec, Vat 19, and a dash of simple syrup. Nearly every bartender in the islands has a personal version of Planter's Punch. A classic recipe is to make it with lime juice, sugar, and Vat 19, plus a dash of bitters. It's usually served with a cherry and an orange slice.