BUSSA

On April 16 1816 Bussa led the longest slave revolt in Barbados against white plantation owners. At the time he was head-ranger at Bayley’s plantation.

Bussa commanded some 400 freedom fighters against troops of the First West India Regiment, but he was killed in battle.

In 1998 Bussa’s outstanding role as a freedom fighter was recognised when he was named as one of the ten National Heroes of Barbados.

William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was born on August 24^th 1759 in Hull, England. Wilberforce became a member of parliament for Hull, later representing Yorkshire. He became an evangelical Christian, and in 1784 joined a leading group known as the Clapham Sect. The abolitionist Thomas Clarkson had an enormous influence on Wilberforce. He and others were campaigning for an end to the slave trade in which British ships were transporting Africans in terrible conditions, to the West Indies as goods to be bought by plantation owners. Wilberforce was persuaded to lobby for the abolition of the slave trade and for eighteen years he regularly introduced anti-slavery motions in parliament. The campaign was supported by many members of the Clapham Sect and other abolitionists who raised awareness of their cause with pamphlets, books, rallies and petitions.

Wilberforce retired from politics in 1825 and died on July 19^th 1833, shortly after the act to free slaves in the British Empire passed through the House of Commons.

Slave Hut

Barbados, slave masters were required by law to provide their slaves with a place to live. Often, this constituted nothing more than a small shack or stone building with thatched roofs.

The furnishing consisted of utensils made from calabash, clay and wood. Children slept on rags placed on the dirt floor of the huts.

The Barbados National Trust replicated an 1820’s slave hut. This replica forms part of the “Chattel Village” located at Tyrol Cot the residence of the late Sir Grantley Adams. (The first Premier of Barbados).

Freedom Celebration

Over 70,000 Barbadians of African descent took to the streets after the system of apprenticeship was abolished in 1838. They sang the Barbadian folk song: “Lick and Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin Jin (Queen Victoria)

De Queen come from England to set we free Now Lick and Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin Jin.” These words are inscribed on the side of the Emancipation Statue which was unveiled in Barbados in 1985.

Slave ships

Slave ships were cargo vessels specially converted for the purpose of transporting captured Africans.

Technical Details

*Images are compliments of TopFoto.

Customers are reminded that all prices are quoted in Barbados dollars. One U.S. dollar is equal to Bds $1.98.