 The
Bahamian National Coat of Arms (right) were officially adopted on
July 12, 1971. The arms show the Santa Maria, the flagship of
Columbus, who discovered the islands. The sun symbolizes the sunny
climate.
On the shield is placed a shell, which symbolizes the dependency
of the islands on the sea. The supporters are a flamingo (the
national bird) and a marlin.
The Bahamian National Motto is "Forward, Upward, Onward Together".
 The
symbolism of the Bahamian Flag is as follows: Black, a strong colour,
represents the vigour and force of a united people, the triangle
pointing towards the body of the flag represents the enterprise and
determination of the Bahamian people to develop and possess the rich
resources of land and sea symbolized by gold and aquamarine
respectively.
The Bahamian National Anthem was written by Timothy Gibson in 1972
and adopted in 1973.
|
Bahamian
National Anthem - "March On, Bahamaland" **
Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland;
March on to
glory, your bright banners waving high.
See how the world marks the manner of your bearing!
Pledge to excel through love and unity.
Pressing onward, march together to a common loftier goal;
Steady sunward, though the weather hide the wide and
treach'rous shoal.
Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland;
'Til the road you've trod
Lead unto your God,
March on, Bahamaland!
**Click
Here
to listen to the anthem. |
An important turning point in the history of The Islands Of The
Bahamas took place in 1967. The movement to give equal rights,
including the right to vote, was led by twelve men. These men made
up the First Bahamas Cabinet under Majority Rule. They are:
Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, Milo Butler, Arthur Hanna, Clarence Bain,
Jeffrey Thompson, Carleton Francis, Randol Fawkes, Warren Lavarity,
Curtis McMillan, Clement Maynard and Lynden Pindling.
The Islands Of The Bahamas gained independence from Great Britain on
July 10, 1973, which is celebrated as Bahamian Independence Day. As
a member of the British Commonwealth, The Islands Of The Bahamas has
a symbolic link to Great Britain, with an appointed Governor-General
representing the Queen of England. However, the current Prime
Minister is the Right Honourable Hubert Alexander Ingraham, who is
an elected official, and is the actual head of the government.
 The
Constitution, which has been in effect since 1973, declares that The
Islands Of The Bahamas is a sovereign democratic state. It
guarantees fundamental human rights, such as freedom of expression
and assembly, as well as protecting the privacy of the home.
The Prime Minister and his Cabinet make up the Executive Branch
of government. The Legislative Branch includes the Senate, which is
appointed, and the House of Assembly, which is elected. The
Judiciary is comprised of Her Majesty’s Privy Council, the Court of
Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Magistrates Courts.
In 1997, local government was introduced into The Islands Of The
Bahamas with locally elected officials being charged with certain
local responsibilities.
General elections are held every five years but the ruling party can
call an election at any time.
To see a prime example of British influence on Bahamian government,
plan to see the Changing of the Guards ceremony. There is much pomp
and ceremony and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band also performs.
The ceremony occurs at Government House (the office and residence of
the Governor-General) in Nassau every two weeks. |
