Salutations:

It is a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to join with the Chairman, Mr. Silbert Ferguson, and members of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) and the wider community represented here and those who have come from respective Junkanoo organizations, including sponsors and supporters, who have come to witness this inaugural Junkanoo Shack of Fame Award Ceremony. It is good to see so many members of the families of the Inductees also present to witness this ceremony and to share in the pride of the occasion.

As for myself, it is perhaps appropriate, right at the outset, that I should state a disclaimer in that I am here both as Prime Minister, having been invited to bring remarks on this occasion, but also, I am here in my own right as one of the seven inductees and so this is a special occasion for me. In both respects, I am honoured and proud to be here this evening and to share in this ceremony with my esteemed Inductees into the Shack Hall of Fame.

At the outset, let me congratulate the JCNP for having the vision and the will to establish a Hall of Fame to memorialize and commemorate the outstanding achievements by individuals and by groups to the development of Junkanoo over the last seventy years and to give such achievements a permanent place in the cultural history of our nation. It is an idea whose time has come. Junkanoo has its inspirational roots in the history of our people and the history of The Bahamas.

As we are all aware, The Bahamas is a place of great natural beauty abounding in rich colour, a place of unique traditions, and a homeland of a people diverse in their ethnicity, creed, outlook and aspirations. It is from all of this that Junkanoo has its roots and it is from this that the individuals who are the Inductees this evening drew their inspiration.

The historians will tell you that we have always had a form of Junkanoo going back to the early days of the arrival of African slaves on these shores when at Christmas and New Year’s groups would “rush and make merry” as form of self-entertainment but also to entertain others. If we were to trace the rise and development of modern Junkanoo it was from such stark and bare bones development. But as time and the sociology of our people changed so did Junkanoo.

I think it is fair to say that Junkanoo has now become the centre-piece of the cultural expression of The Bahamas. It has become more than just a twice annual festival but it is an art form and a craft that draws on our artistic expression, our choreography and of course our music all combined to make it one of the most powerful forms of cultural expressions that now permeates throughout the nation.

There is no more distinctive sound which is more recognizable than the beat of a goat- skin drum, the rhythmic clanging of cowbells, the shrilling of whistles and the scraping of saws that would instantly be recognized as the sound of Junkanoo. Some people dance and sway, others tap their feet but, undeniably it has become, perhaps the most distinctive sound that every Bahamian instantly recognizes and which rivets our attention.

As a festival it is a much anticipated event and by its very nature it has helped to create a friendly rivalry among the groups but in the end it is unifying force that draws people together. I can think of no other single cultural event that would bring dancers, drummers, musicians, bellers, costume designers and others together in one place. In a Junkanoo group one can readily find, all streams of people – professionals such as teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, commercial workers , people who work in hotels, construction and trade artisans, yes, even politician all banding together to make the groups and the overall event the stunning success that it has become. This is why I call it a unique, all embracing unifying force one that has done much to bind us together as a people. What would Boxing Day and New Year’s Day be without these two festivals? As it has developed, an industry has grown up around Junkanoo and rightly so, there are many people who earn a full time living from the Junkanoo industry and as time marches on, I can see more of this happening. It is an evolving art and who can dare predict what it will become over the next few decades.

Tonight, the Inductees into the Shack Hall of Fame represent in its truest forms the evolution of Junkanoo. Had it not been for their efforts, I do not believe that Junkanoo would be at the stage at which it is today. The seven inductees in the persons of Maureen Duvalier, Winston “Gus” Cooper, Sir Lynden Pindling, Percival “Vola” Francis, John “Chippie” Chipman, Arthur Gibson and one Perry G. Christie, each in their own way personify what I have just said about the evolution of Junkanoo and of Junkanoo being a unifying force in our nation.

Maureen Duvalier

Maureen Duvalier can be described as the original “Bahama Mama”. She has an interesting family history. She was born to Ethel Bowleg-Knowles and Eustace Duvalier and through the Duvalier she was the niece of the onetime President of Haiti, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. She received her musical attenuation from Mr. Bert Cambridge, a prominent Bahamian musician who molded the young Maureen vocal talents. She was also a dancer and was a part of a group known as the Chocolate Dandies. What is not so well known is that Ms. Duvalier studied drama from 1952 to 1954 at New York University. She recorded several albums which placed her on the cultural map in The Bahamas.

Maureen known for making a grand stand entered the Junkanoo arena with a group of women and children who dared to rush on Bay Street. They took the parade by storm and made history. They were the first of their kind to Bay Street adorned in shielded masks. Their presence impacted the face and cultural acceptance of Junkanoo forever. The group consisted of only dancers but of professional women, religious church women, teachers, housewives, etc. Adorned in black and red masks, this group changed Junkanoo history by winning the first place trophy on their first performance. Since then Ms. Duvalier has been a part of the Junkanoo history and worked with various persons interested in developing the art form of Junkanoo. Ms. Duvalier passed on in 2014 but her rich cultural legacy and contribution to Junkanoo lives on.
Winston “Gus” Cooper

Mr. Winston “Gus” Cooper has deservedly earned the title of the “Father of Modern Day Junkanoo”. Gus was well educated having attended local schools, including St. John’s College before moving on to Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland (1963 -1967) where he received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Biology. He received an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration and Policy Management after joining the Public Service.

Mr. Cooper’s overarching contribution to Junkanoo has been as the leader of the Valley Boys junkanoo group since for more than 40 years and has led the group to many victories. He is a founding member having in the Summer of 1962 along with his friends formed the City Lumber Yard Group which we now know as the Valley Boys. Mr. Cooper was renowned for his energetic dances and elaborates costumes. He was highly respected as a costume builder and designer who paid special attention to detail of costumes history and themes. As leader of the Valley Boys, Gus Cooper achieved an unrivaled string of victories and has made the group one of the most competitive groups ever in the history of Junkanoo in The Bahamas.

Sir Lynden Pindling

The Right Honorable Sir Lynden Pindling, KCMG, hailed as “The Father of Our Nation” was born on 22nd March, 1930 to Arnold F. Pindling, a retired Police Officer. Sir Lynden was one of the longest serving head of government in The Bahamas, having served as Prime Minister for 25 years and as a member of the House of Assembly for 41 consecutive years... During his tenure we celebrated Independence from Great Britain on 10th July, 1973.

Sir Lynden’s political biography and his contribution to national development are well known and is the stuff of history books. It is an evolving story. But he is being honoured this evening for his uncanny ability to see the real value of Junkanoo and to bring it out of the margins of our cultural expressions to one that has become the centre-piece of Bahamian culture. Sir Lynden could be described as a “Pioneer of Social Change” in the Junkanoo community.

After the onset of Majority Rule Sir Lynden in his capacity as Premier and later as Prime Minister was seen enthusiastically and publicly participating in the Junkanoo festivities. He was always seen on the parade in colorful striped costumes ringing cowbells. His children were all encouraged to attend the parades and his eldest Obi Pindling fondly remembers his debut on Bay Street with his musical band.

Sir Lynden declared in the House of Assembly that as Bahamians “we are all Junkanoo”. This declaration was profound and timely. Sir Lynden’s public embrace of Junkanoo made it more sociably acceptable for those who considered themselves elitists and paved the way professional persons to take part in this expression of culture. It is now celebrated by persons of all walks of life.

Percival “Vola” Francis

Percy “Vola” Francis was a most unlikely aspirant to become the leader of a major Junkanoo Group. He grew up in a profoundly religious family where his father was a Baptist Minister. But young Percival was bitten by the Junkanoo bug and the rest is history. Vola’s was educated at the Eastern Preparatory School #1, Southern Junior and Senior Schools, Prince William High School and The Technical College. His intense interest in art and discovery of his talent happened at an early age. At the age of Nine (9) in the St. Agnes School room he was taught by legendary Bahamian artist Don Russell and further nurtured in high school under the tutelage of the renowned artist and educator Horace Wright.

In 1962, and at the age of Fourteen (14) “Vola” began his Junkanoo career when he joined the neighborhood junkanoo group founded by Phil Cooper. In 1965 the East Street and West Street groups formed a coalition and this new grouping became known as the Saxons. The name was taken from a costume of the same name.

At the tender age of Seventeen (17) Vola became leader, artistic designer and costume builder. The rest is as they say Junkanoo history. Vola and the Saxons have greatly contributed to Junkanoo emerging from the latter third of the 20th century with the worldwide recognition as one of the most colorful, incomparable and unequalled indigenous Festival of the new millennium. As the leader of the Shell Saxons Superstars for more than Fifty (50) years, Vola has led Saxons to more than Forty (40) victories. This great feat has contributed to his becoming a Junkanoo legend. He is greatly admired for his mesmerizing costumes, original creations and the ever popular Junkanoo Dance called the “Vola Shuffle”. J. Arthur Gibson Jervis Arthur Gibson “AG”, hails from the historic community of Grant’s Town and spent much of his childhood between the islands of New Providence and Crooked Island. Outside of family and his profession as a respected businessman and licensed Electrical Contractor, much of AG’s life is defined by his love for the tradition of Junkanoo, the cornerstone of Bahamian heritage. His infectious laugh, free spirit and joie du vivre, is in many ways similar to the infectious rhythm and frees-pirited dance of Junkanoo. He began his Junkanoo career as a devoted member of the Shell Saxon’s Superstars in 1969 as a cowbeller. Arthur’s keen eye for detail, his creativity and focus on the development of Junkanoo saw him rise as one of the leaders of the Shell Saxons Superstars during his 30+ years of unwavering commitment to that group. For many years, as a part of the Great Goombay Dancers, a by-product of the Saxon Superstars under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arthur travelled all over the world promoting the Bahamas through Junkanoo. Having a deep concern for what seemed to be the “dying” of the core traditions of Junkanoo, Arthur together with his son Camillo and a group of like-minded colleagues formed the One Love Junkanoo Group in 2003. As Chairman of One Love, Arthur focused on mentoring the young people in the underlying, unspoken values of Junkanoo: respect, love and brotherhood. Even now AG often expresses his concern regarding the changes he sees in the core Junkanoo traditions. Whilst Junkanoo should continue to develop, he believes that love, respect and brotherhood should always remain as the foundation of this cultural expression. Arthur is well respected in the Junkanoo community and is often consulted by many groups on any aspect of their plans; from group formation, or organization, to conceptualization of themes. Reviving the free spirit of the Junkanoo traditions of old, where cross group mentorship and respect, fosters the preservation of the traditions of Junkanoo, while ensuring the development of this important cultural festival which defines the soul of our Bahamaland, remains a huge concern for Arthur.

John “Chippie” Chipman

John 'Chippie" Chipman MBE, can aptly be described as “King of the

Goombay/Junkanoo drums” and Godfather of culture. Mr. Chipman was born on October 5th, 1928 in the historic Grants Town, New Providence. His parents were Ethlyn Taylor and Howard Nelson Chipman. His legendary entertainment career spans more than seventy years. At an early age, Chippie demonstrated his love for music and learnt how to play the saxophone. His career started in the 1950’s, when he got his first

job as a waiter at the legendary Paul Meeres Club. There, he developed a skill for drumming and worked his way up from waiter to world class entertainer.

Chippie also became a premier Junkanoo group leader, a formidable and consistent foe for every other group on Bay Street. He played a major role in the evolution of Junkanoo’s musical instruments. On Chippie’s urging, his friend Donzel “Donnie” Huyler, an auto mechanic, made the first pair of locally made bells, propelling Donnie into history as well. Chippie also spearheaded the change to the tin barrel. Both of these steps significantly impacted Junkanoo music. He was also the first to use crepe paper in

Junkanoo.

Chippie and his lovely wife, Becky, became a fixture at the parades. Like Maureen Duvalier, Becky blazed the trail in this male dominated world for other women to participate.

Along the many years of entertainment he created a band called, 'Chippie and the Boys, which is still working in the tourism industry. Chippie has traveled all over the world as an Ambassador of The Bahamas promoting the country. The cultural Icon kept Junkanoo alive during the years that the majority of our nation did not see the culture in it but saw it as taboo. It was these years that he introduced Junkanoo as part of his entertainment act in the hotel. This started a revolution in the field of culture because the tourists wanted more and more. Junkanoo is now known all over the world due to efforts like Chippie to expose our culture to the world in his own way.

Perry Gladstone Christie

I would like to say a few words about myself and this very esteemed honour of being inducted in the Shack Hall of Fame.

The Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie was born in Nassau on August 21, 1943 to Gladstone L. Christie, a taxi driver and Naomi Christie, nee Allen, a nurse. I grew up and was raised in the area of New Providence known as ‘The Valley. I attended the Eastern Senior School in New Providence, and later gained entrance to the Government High School. As is well known I was later expelled. This was a critical turning point in his development as I then committed myself to academic excellence. Through private study I completed the standard high school exams and went on to complete Advanced Level studies in London. I am a member of the Bar of the Inner Temple, London, and subsequently to the Bahamas Bar.

I currently serve as the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, an honour that has been bestowed on me twice by the Bahamian people. I have served continuously as a Member of Parliament since 1977. Like the late Sir Lynden Pindling my background is a combination of public service and politics but one that is heavily imbued with culture, and appropriately for this occasion, Junkanoo. I see Junkanoo in its totality as embracing the true spirit of all Bahamians and to understand this you would need you have to travel to my childhood and experiences.

My father, Gladstone Christie, in addition to being a taxi driver was also a trumpeter in the all black celebrated orchestra, “The Chocolate Dandies” of which Maureen Duvalier who was mentioned earlier was a dancer which played at the fabled Royal Victoria Hotel and other galas in the early 1950s. Other distinguished band members were Charles Carey, George Moxey, George Symonette and Rudy Williams.

I grew up appreciating my father’s devotion to his trumpet and the team spirit of the orchestra. When the late Winston “Gus” Cooper and others started The Valley Boys Junkanoo organization in 1958 I found my place in the front line of this group. Many would recount with pleasure my first experiment with the signature Junkanoo dance, “The Christie Shuffle”. But apart from all this, I have been a lifelong supporter of Junkanoo and it was during my first term as Prime Minister that I conceived and successfully executed plans to create the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence which has now gone on to be the permanent management and creative force behind the Junkanoo parades as we know it. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment. It took a Prime Minister who was a Junkanooer to truly appreciate what this meant to the ongoing development of Junkanoo. I am proud to have done this and more.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As we honour the inductees into this the inaugural group of the Shack Hall of Fame Ceremony, I could not be more proud to see where Junkanoo has come. As I have said it is an evolutionary process and we should not rest on our laurels. There are hundreds of young men and women who have been and, hopefully, will continue to make a contribution to the development of Junkanoo.