One of the founding leaders of the Roots Junkanoo Group, Paul “Diamond” Knowles” died over the weekend.

According to a tribute photo posted to the group’s Facebook page, the junkanoo giant died Saturday evening.

The group’s posting added that “Diamond’s” junkanoo career started with Force One, Premier Dancers, after which he joined the major A-group The Valley Boys.

Mr. Knowles then helped to from the Roots in 1990 with other “passionate junkanooers.”

“He has changed the map of Bahamian culture and our junkanoo festival with the advent of stage show, choreographed performances and constantly innovating the material used in junkanoo,” the group said.

“His contributions are limitless in so many arenas; Bahamian culture and the development of a premiere junkanoo group, The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, the legal fraternity and law enforcement.”

Members of the Roots said Knowles’ legacy will forever live on as it is enshrined in their organisation.