Bahamian conch blowers hard at work to obtain the new World Record during the country's 41st Independence celebrations
Captain Tellis Bethel, Deputy Commander Defence Force, receiving a certificate of confirmation from Guinness World Record Judge, Mr. Charlie Weisman, on behalf of the Bahamas Independence Committee with Mr. Chris Justilien (far right), the music director for the event, along with Defence Force marshals and officials. Photos courtesy of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force
The Bahamas will be entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people blowing conch shells simultaneously, a world record feat which was achieved during the 41st Independence Anniversary celebrations at Clifford Park, Nassau, Bahamas on 9th July, 2014. The previous record, held by the United States, for Conch Shell Blowing was 258 persons. The new record is now 295 persons. A total of 300 persons participated in the history making event. The conch shells were also blown as a clarion call for peace to the nations of the world from the shores of The Bahama Islands in keeping with this year's Independence theme: Celebrating Culture: A Commitment to Peace.
Conch shells are an indigenous musical instrument and are used by in the horn blowing line of the Junkanoo parades. Creative Nassau Founder, the late Jackson Burnside III, was a proud conch shell blower for the One Family Junkanoo and Community Organization.
Creative Nassau Founder, the late Jackson Burnside III, blowing his conch shell during a Junkanoo parade on Bay Street, Nassau