Culture

Today’s Bahamas represents a vibrant cultural mix that can be seen, heard, tasted and experienced no matter where you are in the islands.

The traditional music of The Bahamas is goombay, which has in recent times also become known as rake and scrape. Originally goombay music was a marriage of African instruments and the accordion from Europe. Because of this cross-cultural pollination, it cannot be called indigenous music, however you won’t hear this music anywhere else in the world. Goombay music’s origins date to the time of slavery. As slaves had to be resourceful when devising musical instruments, traditional bands were comprised of drums made of beef, pork and lard barrels with goat skin, saws scraped with metal files, maracas, rhythm sticks and homemade bass violins. If you’re lucky enough to be in The Bahamas at Christmas or New Year’s for Junkanoo (see Junkanoo this section), the music that fills the streets is also goombay – just a louder, more boisterous version.

For something even more uplifting, Bahamian sacred music is considered by some to be its finest cultural expression. It can be experienced around the islands every day church services are held. And of course as night falls you can pursue all of your musical passions, from calypso to disco, in venues that range from grand and glitzy to humble and homey.

Food lovers will also find much to adore in The Bahamas. Edible delights to put on your must try list include: Conch in all its glorious forms (see Conch this section), Fish frys, Crawfish (or Rock Lobster), Stew Fish, Peas n’ Rice, Eleutheran pineapple and pineapple wine, Pea Soup, Souse, Kalik Beer, Bahamian coolers (coconut water, sweet milk and gin), and Switcher.

While most Bahamians will be happy to tell you the best spots to sample many island dishes and brews, you can also rely on restaurants that are part of the Real Taste Of The Bahamas programme to dish up the genuine article. Developed by the Ministry of Tourism to enhance our visitors’ cultural experience, the Real Taste Of The Bahamas programme can be identified by RTOTB logos displayed on restaurants doors and windows.

Bahamian art is everywhere. Bold, colourful and full of life…you’ll find it in the streets, in hotels and in many fine galleries in Nassau and Grand Bahama. You’ll also find art in our architecture. Some of the oldest buildings in The Bahamas are indeed our finest. In Nassau a stroll down practically any street will reveal beautifully maintained examples of Colonial architecture.