Tings of The Past, African Legacy, and Bahamian Identity
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Congratulations to Our Third-Place Winner, Dejae Woods
Black Food Bookstore & Culture Shop is proud to recognize Dejae Woods, the third-place winner of our 1st Annual Essay Competition. Her essay, “Tings of The Past, African Legacy, and Bahamian Identity,” looks at how African history continues to shape life in The Bahamas today—specifically across its cultural identity, language, cuisine, and national development.
Dejae’s writing reminds us that the enduring legacy of African history is the foundation of modern Bahamian development. We’re happy to share her work and celebrate her well-earned third-place win.
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From the depths of the transatlantic slave trade to the vibrant rush of Junkanoo in downtown Nassau, the cultural history of The Bahamas is one of survival, adaptation, and transformation. Although the archipelago comprises over 700 islands, its collective identity is unified by a powerful thread: a rich African heritage. The influence of African history is not merely visible—it is alive in every conch shell dish, every beat of a goat-skin drum, every hand-stitched Androsia print, and every spirited Junkanoo performance. In the 21st century, this legacy continues to shape national development across The Bahamas, giving Bahamians a sense of pride, unity, and purpose.
Bahamian cultural identity begins with African heritage. Africans were brought to the islands by force during the transatlantic slave trade to work on British colonial plantations. Without their homelands, families, and languages, these slaves carried on their traditions in the oral story, music, religious ceremonies, and art (Lawlor). African traditions survived in “From Africa to the Bahamas” because they were dynamic. African-derived belief systems incorporated into Christianity, and African rhythms reworked into local music styles which endure to this day (Lawlor). This ensured not only the preservation of culture but the creation of the distinct Bahamian identity, which endures to this day.
Bahamian culture today retains its African flavor in music, religion, language, and food. Perhaps the greatest legacy is Junkanoo, a street festival closely related to African celebratory traditions. It features cowbells, goatskin drums, whistles, and elaborate costumes, like enslaved Africans' cultural heritage of celebrating rare days off with music and dance. Junkanoo is no longer a parade today—it is a national symbol, bringing together people of various generations to celebrate their shared heritage and compete in pride (Ocloo). It has even become a leading economic and tourist attraction, earning revenues and jobs while affirming cultural pride (Ocloo).
Gail Saunders emphasizes that Junkanoo not only served as entertainment but as a form of cultural resistance for enslaved people, a symbolic reclaiming of space and identity during colonial oppression. Over time, this celebration helped unify Black Bahamians by giving them a common cultural reference point, turning an act of survival into a lasting institution of national pride (Saunders).
Other than celebrations, language is likely the second most important aspect of national identity. Bahamian English, or "Bahamianese," is more than a dialect—it's a linguistic remnant created by West African languages, Creole, and British English. This distinctive form of speech, with the employment of words such as "tings" for "things" and song-like speech rhythms, speaks of African influence and Bahamian accommodation (Ocloo). Bahamianese talk connects people to their ancestors, though unintentionally, and voices a national identity that is not British or American—but Bahamian. Food saves cultural information and facilitates national development through tourism and tradition as well.
Cracked conch, stewfish, are more than delicious dishes—they are culinary practices based on African culinary techniques and island ingredients. Mothers teach daughters the techniques of cleaning and preparing conch, and recipes are passed down through generations (Ocloo). These dishes also create food tourism, with individuals traveling to taste The Bahamas' cuisine ("Culture"). Furthermore, dishes like guava duff show a blend of African and British cuisine, illustrating the nation's multicultural integration without losing African influence.
As explained in the article from Mexico Histórico, African influence on Bahamian dishes reflects a wider fusion of cultural elements. Enslaved Africans brought knowledge of spices, root vegetables, and open-fire cooking. These traditions form a unique culinary tradition that defines Bahamian identity today (“The Bahamas: A Cultural Melting Pot”).
Aside from cuisine, traditional medicine and crafts are also cultural preservation. "Bush medicine," which lies in the utilization of local plants for healing, is a product of African traditions passed on orally. Despite being reduced, it remains a part of Bahamian identity, for elders still utilize plants like the Lignum Vitae and Gumbo Limbo tree for medicinal reasons (Ocloo). Similarly, the Androsia print, a colorful batik fabric produced on Andros, represents creativity with African visual culture. Androsia, worn by generations of all ages, has turned into a national brand, associating fashion with national pride (Ocloo). Such elements are not dead relics—they are living participants in national development.
As the Bahamas grapples with tourism and the conservation of culture, initiatives like the Junkanoo Expo Museum help to inform tourists and Bahamians alike about the value of Bahamian traditions (Ocloo). As Xorla Ocloo argues in her work at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, culture must be passed on to the next generation in a manner that is both palpable and engaging—from music class to festivals to cooking at home (Ocloo). Even the government and educational institutions give importance to it. As the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism shows, traditional forms such as Goombay and Rake 'n' Scrape music, visual arts, and religious ideas remain the focus of Bahamian life. According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, traditional forms such as Goombay, Rake ‘n’ Scrape, and Junkanoo are more than entertainment—they are living legacies of African heritage. Rake ‘n’ Scrape, for instance, evolved from the rhythmic storytelling of African griots and the dance forms of Cat Island. These musical traditions have become central to Bahamian life and are often used in community plays, operas, and school celebrations (“Culture”). The Ministry also notes that Bahamian visual arts and sports success reflect the cultural strength of the population. From Junkanoo-inspired paintings to internationally recognized athletes, Bahamian excellence stems from the resilience and creativity rooted in its African ancestry (“Culture”).
Works Cited:
“Culture – the Bahamas High Commission London.” Bahamashclondon.net, www.bahamashclondon.net/default/culture/. Accessed 21 July 2025.
Lawlor, Jim. From Africa to the Bahamas. 2021. Accessed 21 July 2025.
Ocloo, Xorla. “Capturing the Bahamian National Identity.” I-ACES University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, vol. 3, no. 1, Apr. 2017, pp. 35–38. Accessed 21 July 2025.
Saunders, Gail. The Peoples & Cultures of the Bahamas. pp. 61–66, folklife-media.si.edu/docs/festival/program-book-articles/FESTBK1994_31.pdf. Accessed 21 July 2025.
“The Bahamas: A Cultural Melting Pot of African Roots.” Mexicohistorico.com, 2025, www.mexicohistorico.com/paginas/the-bahamas-a-cultural-melting-pot-of-african-roots-2a7aad0e.html. Accessed 21 July 2025.