Grade 4 Plays in the Junkanoo!!

Our class has been learning about the many different things that makes our home, the Turks and Caicos Islands unique.---- Our music, TCI JUNKANOO!   Junkanoo is a traditional Caribbean musical parade. Its origins date back to the days if slavery and to a man named John Canoe. During that time, the Christmas and New Year’s holidays were the only celebrations the slaves were given to enjoy and have fun. Costumes were made of cardboard, painted and decorated with bright colours. Instruments were hand made from recycled materials.   On Friday, February 3rd, our class travelled down to the TCI JUNKANOO MUSEUM located on Old Airport Road in Provo. We were greeted by Mr. Penn who owns and operates the museum. The museum was built to preserve the history and culture of the TCI and to build national pride. Mr. Penn told us about the Junkanoo from the past and how it is in the present. As you enter the lobby, you see many displays of costumes and pictures from Junkanoos. He told us how costumes and instruments were made – they believe in recycle, reuse & reinvent! Mr. Penn and his friends performed for us, playing the drums, ripsaw and shakers. The last room was amazing- filled with many beautiful hand made costumes. We were allowed to try on the costumes. Lastly, Mr.Penn gave us each an instrument and we played in the Junkanoo. Thank you Mr. Penn for sharing your love of the TCI Junkanoo with us.