On July 10th, 2016, my country celebrated its 43rd Independence. For the Bahamas that means flags flown high, cultural shows, Armed forces on deck, lots of native foods and Junkanoo rushouts. For me I didn’t participate in any of the festivities this year. Not that I am not as patriotic as my fellow Bahamians, but this year I had some other things going on in my life that kept me away from the fun in the sun. Funny enough the day after the celebration I woke up singing “I’m Proud to be a Bahamian” by Phil Stubbs and I just can’t get it out of my head.
Click this link and sing with me!
The sun comes up with a burning glow, shines down on paradise below; I’m talking about the Bahamas you know, our beautiful archipelago. Now go go go brag about the beauty, tell them we friendly, tell them we proud of we country, tell them they should come see. Then let’s say….
I’m proud to be Bahamian
I’m proud to be Bahamian
I’m proud to be Bahamian
God gave this land me.
Onward, Upward together, boosting our rich culture inspiring our young and old with perseverance we could win gold. Then lift up your head to the rising sun our heroes left us a race to run, lets protect our sovereignty together in harmony.
As we are still in celebratory mode I wanted to share with you some information about my country. Here is a categorized list with a few examples of what makes us Bahamians. Hopefully, you would find an appreciation for another country and come on over for a visit. I guarantee you that you will return!
History – Lucayans were the first on the island whose ancestors were from South America.
Independence – Bahamas gained Independence from the United Kingdom on July 10th, 1973.
Politics – Democratic country with a Prime minister as the head of government.
Religion – A Christian nation with about 7 churches on each corner (Baptist, Anglican, Catholic, SDA, Pentecostal, etc.)
Sports – Whatever sport you’re into we can do it here so long as it doesn’t require ice – bowling, cricket, basketball, swimming, etc. We also have Olympic gold medalists in male and female teams known as the Golden Knights & Golden Girls.
Food – A native dish which is cooked mostly on a Sunday is peas and rice, fried snapper/grouper, baked macaroni and coleslaw. We also enjoy a delicacy called conch which you must try on your visit. It can be prepared as a conch salad or cooked with flour and called conch fritters.
Drinks – We a variety of Bahamian drinks from a Bahamas Goombay punch, Goombay smash, Kalik and Sands beers just to name few.
Entertainment – Our beloved Junkanoo, Rake n Scape bands, and Bahamian music artist like Baha Men who song the famous song “Who Let the Dogs Out.”
Sight Seeing – We have 700 islands and cays where you can find amazing beaches, blue holes and the Hope Town lighthouse.
There is so much more that makes this island of some 300,000 people so unique and breathtaking. We live by the mottoes it is “Better in the Bahamas” and “We live where you vacation.” A paradise indeed, and as we look over our history and from whence we came there is so much to be proud of. Visitors say that we are some of the friendliest people they have ever met when traveling around the world. It is my hope that as you plan your next vacation you will indeed keep the Bahamas in mind. Whichever island you decide to visit I ensure you that it will be a memorable experience.
To my fellow Bahamians who may read this I want to encourage you that no matter where you are in the world let us continue to “ Pledge our allegiance to the flag of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for which it stands one people united in love and service.” The Bahamian pledge written by Rev. Philip Rahming
March on Bahama Land……. Happy Independence Bahamas!
Bahamas’ Coat of Arms
Amanda says
Yes.. ..live it! Once is not enough…even twice you don’t see all of we stuff…come back for some conch, peas ‘n’ rice, guava duff. ‘Cause when you visit the Bahamas once is not enough #SunSandSea #ilivewhereyouvacation #paradise
Jonice says
Yeeessss! Proud to be a Bahamian ! Well said and well written, I started to feel nostalgic. #proud Bahamian !