标签： Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg has declared an end to the era of 12-hour Junkanoo parades following widespread public frustration over extensive delays during this season’s celebrations. The minister’s statements come in response to mounting complaints from spectators who endured overnight waits for major performances during the traditional Boxing Day and New Year’s Day events.

The cultural minister emphasized that Junkanoo exists primarily for Bahamian citizens, urging all stakeholders to collaborate in creating parades that respect audience time and expectations. ‘It has to be a collaboration effort to come together and understand,’ Minister Bowleg stated. ‘We must improve how we smoothly transit and execute these parades so that the Bahamian people can see what they want to see in a timely manner.’

Addressing the historical duration of the celebrations, Bowleg asserted: ‘I think gone are the days where these parades should take 12 to 13 hours to finish. I believe it can be done in a shorter time, where it can be most impactful and effective.’

The current parade management falls under the National Junkanoo Committee, which took over organizational responsibilities following the government’s public dispute with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence. This season marked the committee’s inaugural management of both major parades, with the Boxing Day event particularly drawing criticism for extended intermissions between group performances.

Minister Bowleg revealed that the proposed National Junkanoo Authority of The Bahamas – a statutory body the government plans to establish – would enable a more coordinated approach to nationwide Junkanoo management. This authority would facilitate strategic partnerships and closer collaboration between the new governing body, the existing National Junkanoo Committee, and participating performance groups.

Despite the initial challenges, the New Year’s Day parade demonstrated noticeable improvements with reduced gaps between performances. The strategic deployment of B groups to maintain entertainment continuity while major groups prepared for their appearances helped sustain momentum along Bay Street. While acknowledging that further refinements will require time, Bowleg expressed satisfaction with the progress made and emphasized that systematic improvements are essential to preserving Junkanoo’s status as the nation’s premier cultural celebration.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – ONE Family cemented its dominance in Bahamian cultural celebrations by capturing the New Year’s Day Junkanoo parade championship, completing a remarkable back-to-back sweep after previously winning the Boxing Day parade. The group’s triumphant performance, themed “No Matter What, We Gern to Church! So What’s Your Reason,” electrified Bay Street with vibrant costumes adorned with jewels, feathers, and Christian symbolism.

The winning presentation featured dancers in sparkling church attire moving energetically along the parade route, with some performers carrying offering baskets while others in pastel pink and purple ensembles executed dynamic choreography that drew enthusiastic cheers from spectators. Supporters enthusiastically shouted “two straight” in recognition of the group’s consecutive victories.

ONE Family achieved victory with an impressive 594 points, decisively outperforming defending champions Saxons Superstars who placed second with 566 points under their theme “The Crusaders: The Divine Battle for Salvation.” Roots secured third position with 539 points for their presentation “The Greatest Shows on Earth.”

Additional rankings included The World Famous Valley Boys 1958 (fourth, 533 points), Genesis Warhawks (fifth, 531 points), The Way Forward Valley Boys (sixth, 446 points), Music Makers (seventh, 390 points), and Prodigal Sons (eighth, 225 points).

In the B Division competition, Colours Entertainment and Junkanoo Organisation emerged victorious with 570 points for their presentation “A Bahamian Sunday,” followed by Immortals Junkanoo and Community Organisation (second, 449 points), and Fancy Dancers (third, 371 points).

Christina “Muffin” Fernander, former chairman of ONE Family, told The Tribune that these consecutive victories held special significance following what she described as a disappointing previous season. She credited the group’s members for their determination and hard work, noting that they “wanted it really badly, and their efforts paid off.” Fernander emphasized that these wins demonstrate ONE Family’s enduring presence in Junkanoo, recalling earlier years when the group received little support but has now established itself as a major force among traditional contenders.

This achievement marks the second time ONE Family has secured back-to-back major parade victories, having previously accomplished consecutive wins during the 2022-23 season.

The Bahamas mourns the loss of distinguished physician and former parliamentarian Dr. Franklyn Walkine, who passed away at age 73. The prominent figure served as Member of Parliament for Acklins and Crooked Island from 1989 to 1997, leaving an indelible mark on both healthcare and political landscapes.

Dr. Walkine’s political career began amidst controversy when he entered a 1989 by-election following the resignation of predecessor Wilbert Moss, who was convicted for attempting to bribe a magistrate. Despite initial internal party disagreements within the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) regarding his nomination, Dr. Walkine secured victory and maintained his parliamentary seat through subsequent elections.

Beyond politics, Dr. Walkine established himself as a medical pioneer and successful entrepreneur. He founded Air Ambulance Service Ltd in the 1990s, creating the first wholly Bahamian-owned air ambulance service that provided critical emergency medical flights to the Family Islands. The service conducted over 30 flights weekly between Nassau, Freeport, South Florida, and throughout the Bahamas, dramatically improving emergency healthcare access for remote communities.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis led tributes, describing Dr. Walkine as having “lived a life of service” that combined medical expertise with political dedication. “He was a doctor who cared for people in their most difficult moments, and he was a former Member of Parliament who carried his community’s hopes into the nation’s Parliament,” Davis stated.

Dr. Walkine’s academic credentials were equally impressive, with a chemistry degree from the University of Detroit, a medical degree from the University of the West Indies, and postgraduate specialty training at Canada’s McMaster University. He was a diplomate of the Canadian College of Family Medicine and served as head of the medical council.

His contributions to public health were recognized in 2024 when he was honored as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. PLP chairman Fred Mitchell remembered him as “forthright and matter-of-fact” in his approach to public service and as a cherished personal friend.

The nation remembers Dr. Walkine as both a medical innovator who transformed emergency healthcare accessibility and a dedicated public servant who consistently advocated for his constituents’ interests throughout his political career.

The National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) has publicly admitted to significant operational failures during the recent Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade, culminating in the removal of longtime Grand Marshal Dwight Rolle from his position. In an official statement responding to mounting criticism, the committee cited ‘operational performance and adherence to established parade management protocols’ as the basis for their decision, emphasizing that the move was not personal.

The NJC acknowledged that spectators experienced considerable discomfort due to prolonged gaps along Bay Street, where empty seats disrupted the festive atmosphere. The committee revealed that instructions were issued to the parade management team to allow Fun Groups and B Groups to perform during delays, but claimed these directives were not implemented by Mr. Rolle.

In response to circulating rumors, the NJC confirmed that penalty frameworks for rule violations remain active. Deputy Grand Marshal Vincent Johnson, assisted by Calvin Greene, will assume leadership responsibilities for the upcoming New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

Mr. Rolle, who had served as Grand Marshal for six consecutive years, expressed surprise at his dismissal during what he believed was a routine planning meeting with NJC chairman Douglas Hanna. He maintained that his management approach prioritized strict adherence to rules and regulations rather than accommodating informal directives.

‘The role demands enforcement without favoritism,’ Rolle stated. ‘I operate by rules, regulations, and facts—not as a conventional team player when it compromises established procedures.’

Rolle attributed many parade delays to the absence of enforceable penalties, noting that the NJC’s replacement of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence eliminated disqualification as a consequence for rule violations. This gap, according to Rolle, enabled participating groups to act without accountability.

Additional operational challenges emerged during the event, including the problematic implementation of digital costume scanning technology. scanners introduced over two hours into the parade malfunctioned and lacked clear operational guidelines, further complicating logistics.

Rolle also highlighted organizational lapses such as incorrect group name displays on screens and dismissed concerns in the tally room. Despite these challenges, he emphasized his commitment to preserving Junkanoo culture and performing his duties under difficult circumstances that predated the Boxing Day event.

A devastating electrical accident on Christmas Eve has claimed the life of Simon Magislin, a 53-year-old Haitian handyman and father of seven residing in The Bahamas. The tragic incident occurred on Wilton Street as Magislin attempted to harvest breadfruit using a metal pole that inadvertently contacted overhead power lines.

According to police reports, emergency responders arrived at the scene following reports of an unresponsive male. Investigation revealed that the iron pole Magislin employed had struck a live electrical wire, resulting in immediate electrocution. The Haitian national had resided in The Bahamas for approximately three to four years, working primarily in maintenance and repair services.

Neighbor Reynold Simon, who witnessed the aftermath, described the sequence of events: “The door was open. I was seated inside that small front shack when the impact occurred. Upon investigation, I discovered him lying motionless on the ground.” Simon speculated that the metal implement may have slipped from Magislin’s grasp due to his attire of shorts, potentially compromising his grip and control.

Family members disclosed that despite recently securing more consistent employment, Magislin had expressed significant financial anxieties regarding Christmas provisions for his seven children, all residing in Haiti. Cousin Odilet Lepin revealed their final conversation approximately two weeks prior centered exclusively on economic hardships: “Everything was great health-wise. He wasn’t sick. He just was crying about how Christmas coming on the way and he had no money. That’s the only thing we discussed—how circumstances were genuinely difficult.”

The scene following the accident was marked by profound grief, with Magislin’s brother reportedly rendered speechless by emotional distress. Local authorities have ordered an autopsy to conclusively determine the precise cause of death, though preliminary evidence strongly suggests accidental electrocution.

A 49-year-old mother from Murphy Town, Abaco, endured a Christmas season defined by pain and financial distress rather than celebration, as she confronts a severe ovarian cancer diagnosis without adequate means to secure treatment. Anastasia Johnson, a mother of three, described her devastating physical and emotional journey to The Tribune from her bedside, where she remains largely immobilized by the disease.

Her medical crisis emerged earlier this year while employed as a cleaner at Maxwell’s supermarket, where she began suffering from relentless vomiting, drastic weight loss, and debilitating fatigue. After initial examinations at a local clinic, she was referred to Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence, where physicians identified a significant mass subsequently diagnosed as ovarian cancer.

The emotional toll was immediate and profound. “I broke down in tears,” Ms. Johnson recounted. “I didn’t eat at all for that day, for the next two days, because I didn’t expect it to be cancer.”

Her resilience is fueled by concern for her children—two sons aged ten and 14, and a 33-year-old daughter. Though she receives emotional and practical support from her children’s father, former coworkers, and loved ones, the financial burden of treatment remains overwhelming. Having resigned from her job due to unbearable pain even before her diagnosis, she now faces estimated chemotherapy costs of $400 per session—an insurmountable sum given her circumstances.

Medical advisors have recommended she travel to New Providence in early January to determine the required number of chemotherapy rounds. Beyond treatment itself, she requires assistance for seizure medication, inter-island travel, accommodation, food, and basic living expenses.

This Christmas, typically a time of joy and family connection, was marred by suffering and anxiety. “I really didn’t enjoy it. I tried to smile for my kids, but with everything I’m going through, it wasn’t really enjoyable,” she confessed.

Facing an uncertain future, Ms. Johnson clings to faith and maternal love. “I just want to stay around for my kids, to watch them grow up,” she expressed. “A mother plays a major role in the kids’ lives. I want to be here to watch my two boys grow up and become someone in life.”

Those wishing to offer support may contact Ms. Johnson directly at 242-804-2078.

A Grand Bahama family is seeking accountability from law enforcement following a controversial police-involved shooting in Eight Mile Rock that left 49-year-old father of four Jorel Saltine wounded. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Russell Town area, sparking allegations of excessive force and procedural violations.

According to Cecil Celo Similien, the victim’s brother, Saltine was shot outside their family residence without justification. “I was home when I heard a gunshot,” Similien recounted. “I came out, and I heard that my little brother got shot in the yard.” He emphatically denied police assertions that Saltine was armed, stating no weapons or drugs were found on his brother following the shooting.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force provided an alternative account, indicating the confrontation began around 5pm on December 28 when officers on patrol observed a man in the Cemetery Road area who fled upon noticing them. Police claim that during the pursuit, the suspect held his waistband and entered an abandoned structure. Upon exiting, officers alleged he pointed a black object in their direction, prompting one officer to discharge his weapon and strike the suspect in the right foot.

Law enforcement officials confirmed the wounded man was transported to Rand Memorial Hospital, where medical staff determined his injuries were non-life-threatening. After treatment, he was discharged into police custody and remains detained at Central Police Station.

The family has raised serious concerns about police procedures following the incident. Similien questioned why no ambulance was summoned to the scene and criticized the premature removal of his brother from medical care. “That could have never happened in the United States,” he stated. “Any question that they needed to ask would have been done in the hospital.”

Similien further challenged the narrative that his brother posed a threat, asking: “If you chasing an individual and this individual have his back turn, shouldn’t you give a warning shot?” He expressed frustration with what he perceives as systemic protection of officers, stating: “In The Bahamas, we got this thing that the police is always right, which is wrong.”

The family has also alleged that the involved officer had previously been instructed by courts not to enter their property and accused senior officers of covering up misconduct. “It is a shame when the system that’s supposed to be protecting the citizen is the same system that is corrupt and abusing their power,” Similien asserted.

Expressing little confidence in official complaints mechanisms, Similien described the process as ineffective: “To go lodge a complaint is just like you writing something and you taking it and fold the paper up and throw it in the garbage.” He claimed that when attempting to file a report, he was dismissed by officers, suggesting discriminatory treatment based on his Rastafarian appearance.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing through its Complaint and Corruption Branch, which accepts reports through multiple channels including in-person submissions, written correspondence, and electronic communications.