bahamasindependence

Veteran Bahamian artist Priscilla Rollins died on Saturday.

She was 79.

Prime Minister Philip Davis paid tributes to the legendary artist, describing her singing ability as “a symbol of our nation’s spirit and independence, will be profoundly missed.”

“Priscilla’s legacy will forever echo in the heart of The Bahamas.” Davis wrote on social media.

What to Know About Priscilla Rollins

1. She was dubbed “The Bahamian Queen of Soul”.
2. Her popular song ‘Independence Morning’ resonated with Bahamians and was a tribute to the Bahamas’ independence from Great Britain in 1973.
3. She popularized a Bahamian ring play, ‘Gat a Letter from Miami’ and performed it on stages, nationally.
4. Her musical career started and honed as a teenager when she sang with her mother in a gospel group in the 50’s called the Strachan’s Coral Group.
5. In the mid to late 60s, Priscilla joined The Mighty Makers, a Cedric Munnings group. The group gained much national and international fame.
6. In 1972, Priscilla pursued a solo career, teaming up with Bahamian producer and entertainer Tony McKay. She traveled to New York where she recorded her first album on the Roulette label.

To listen to some of her music, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5e7qvZagkI

Following the massive 50th Independence celebrations, trash littered the sidewalks and were strewn about the streets.

Images shared by photographer Torell Glinton showed crushed cans, bottles, food and paper plates dumped on Bay Street by celebrants after the Junkanoo rush-out on early Monday morning.

“No national pride,” Que Ly commented.

Though it is not known how many tons were left behind after thousands of celebrants visited the Bay Street area and other places like Clifford Park where the main event was held, the surge in onlookers came at a cost.

Horatio Pratt said, “Partying and chanting but the filth left behind is symbolic of the true collective inner work required before we whine and shout, regardless of a date on the calendar.”

Osano Neely did not hold back. “Fifty years later and we nasty as f***.”

Ariadne Munnings was forgiving and expressed that trash pile is expected after large events. “Normal. After any big event comes the cleanup. The few bins are full long before the parade starts and people just dump their garbage anywhere.”

Shezelle Mather believes the insufficient receptacles contributed to the ground dumping. “We do not have sufficient garbage bins in public places in this country. It is not an excuse to just drop your garbage, but we need a lot more bins. I carry my garbage with me until I can dispose of it properly.”

Some people called for a national pride campaign to educate the public on proper garbage disposal and others call for the implementation of a fine for littering in public places.

It is not known how soon after the events the trash were removed.

Photo credit: Torell Glinton

In a spectacular show of events, the Bahamas celebrated 50 years of Independence from British rule. The road to 50 years started last year with a series of events that culminated on Sunday night at Clifford Park where dignitaries and thousands of Bahamians gathered in celebration.

The Prime Minister’s Legacy Ball on Saturday showcased glittering fashion and exuberant styles as world leaders like Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, US Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland chatted and sat around the dinner table.

Sunday night into Monday morning, uniformed officers marched the open field, dancers skipped and swayed to the rhythmic Bahamian music, and firecrackers lit the sky at the high-spirited service and celebration.