The International Junkanoo Festival is set to bring together a diverse range of musicians, showcasing cultures, traditions, music, dance, exhibitions, and culinary delights from around the world.

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Taking place in Toronto, Canada, from October 24 to October 29, this year's festival will feature talented artists such as Bob Pinodo (Ghana), Santrofie Band (Ghana), Ras McBean (Guyana), Molina Mohammed (Mexico), and the Pierre Noel Steel Band, among others.Esteemed guest speakers, including Dr.

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Mohammed Awal, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Ghana, and Prof Kimani (PhD) will also contribute to the event, along with other invited guests. The festival, organised by the World Junkanoo Festival Foundation and World Carnival Commission, is expected to attract travelers from all over the world, as stated by the organisers.

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The Junkanoo festival traces its origins back to Africa, symbolizing the celebration where slaves concealed their faces with flour paste. As one of the Caribbean's vibrant street parades, it features lively music, colorful costumes, and energetic dance routines. Participants dedicate months of preparation to showcase the pageantry of this midnight street parade, accompanied by the pulsating rhythms of whistles, cowbells, horns, and drums.

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The festival's name is believed to have originated from the figure of "John Canoe," an African trader on the West African Coast during the era of slavery. John Canoe was often portrayed as a rebellious slave or a successful black merchant in African countries. His story was passed down through oral tradition and eventually reached the Bahamas.

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Originally celebrated in the evenings, after slave owners had retired for the night, Junkanoo has evolved into a vibrant celebration of costumes, music, and dance, aimed at reconnecting with lost African cultures and preserving our heritage.The inaugural edition of the renowned Junkanoo Festival, well-known in the Caribbean, was launched in Accra in 2022 to highlight Ghana's rich culture and heritage.

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This initiative aims to bridge the gap between the Caribbean and Africa and attract carnival enthusiasts to witness the exceptional heritage established in Ghana.

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