DOCUMENTARY: WHO IN DA MORNIN

Going to church, going to Grammy’s house, and going to Junkanoo are the things I remember most about growing up for eight years in the Bahamas before moving with my family to the U.S.

Even after visiting every year, we ensured we did those three things during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

I always understood going to church during Christmas; that’s self-explanatory.

Going to Grammy’s house during the holidays is what everyone who celebrates the holiday does, right?

I didn't understand why we celebrated Junkanoo during that same time.

What is the history of the celebration?

Why the cow skin drums?

Why the elaborate costumes?

Why should we start our trek to Downtown Nassau at 11p Christmas night and stay until the early morning of Boxing Day?

Why do we do the same thing for New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day?

A few years ago, I began researching more and found how much of a connection it has to the African Diaspora.

How is Junkanoo linked to the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans, Carnival in Trinidad and Brazil, and other celebrations in West Africa?

What do you go through during the year to make this possible?

What sacrifices were made?

Through this documentary, I will answer those questions with a visually poetic lens.

The funds we collect will pay for travel, lodging, and food in the Bahamas for filming and research from November 29, 2022 to January 11, 2023.