King greets Bahamians in local dialect

The King greeted the people of the Bahamas in local dialect, telling them "I reach, amen!" before entering into one of its great cultural rivalries.

The monarch, who arrived in the Bahamas on Tuesday, was cheered by schoolchildren and their teachers as he tried out the local phrase, which means, "I've arrived, thank God".

To whoops and applause, he spoke about the Caribbean custom of junkanoo, a costumed dance and parade that celebrates islanders' roots.

He went on to dabble in choosing an allegiance among the three junkanoo groups: the Valley Boys, Saxons Superstars and One Family.

In his opening speech to dignitaries and schoolchildren at Clifford Park, the King said: "Prime minister, honourable leader of the opposition, ladies and gentlemen, and young people of the Bahamas... 'I reach, amen'."

Praising the dance and music performances put on to celebrate his visit, he said: "There is no better example of Bahamian culture that has been passed down from one generation to the next than junkanoo.

"Now, I have a feeling it is at this point that the prime minister will want me to declare an allegiance to the Valley. Or maybe the Saxons. Or perhaps even One Family. How does one choose?"

At hearing the name of each group, the crowd halted the King's speech with surprised whoops and cheers. The King will attend a junkanoo parade later on Wednesday, as well as seeing an exhibition about its roots in slavery.

The King was greeted with whoops and cheers as he mentioned the names of three rival junkanoo dance groups - Getty/Chris Jackson

It originated as a celebration of the culture of enslaved people trafficked by ship from Africa to the Caribbean, involved elaborate costume and music. In the 18th century, it was carried out on the three days off they were given around Christmas each year.

Now it is a major event, described by the Bahamas tourism website as featuring "colourful costumes" and "exuberant dance routines".

In his speech, the King referred to the origins of junkanoo, saying participants were "living witness to the way Bahamian culture has been passed down from one generation to the next, each generation not only incorporating but magnifying – and sometimes transforming – that which has come before".

He added: "Some of what is best in Bahamian culture today – the most joyful, the most hopeful, the most bright – was born out of darkness."

Charles speaks with Philip Davis, the prime minister of the Bahamas - Getty/Chris Jackson

On the second of the eight days the King will spend in the Caribbean, he will watch the start of a junkanoo parade in Parliament Square and visit Educulture, a museum dedicated to the festival.

He will view exhibition booths showcasing Bahamian arts and crafts, delicacies and cultural products, and meet Bahamian artists, before greeting members of the public.

Six engagements will see him visit the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, view conservation projects, see the Bahamas Boxing Academy, and attend a garden reception at Government House.

He will also sit down for talks with Philip Davis, the prime minister, and Dame Cynthia Pratt, the Governor General of the Bahamas and his official representative there.

The King began his tour of the Caribbean on Tuesday by acknowledging the "great suffering of the past" and confirming that Commonwealth leaders would discuss the legacy of slavery at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next week.