History of Barbados

Barbados is the eastern-most Caribbean island. It is located at 13.4N, 54.4W. The island, which is less than one million years old,  was created by the collision of the Atlantic crustal and Caribbean plates, along with a volcanic eruption. Later coral formed, accumulating to approximately 300 feet. It is geologically unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years. A look back at the Island's history will help to give you a sense of what influenced the current lifestyles of Bajans (a term used to describe a native of Barbados).

THE EARLY YEARS

Recent discoveries unearthed at an archaeological site at Port St. Charles has caused historians to go back to the drawing board and rewrite the early years. Artifacts and evidence are now suggesting that there was a settlement as far back as 1623 B.C.

THE PEACE LOVING ARAWAKS

In the late 12th century the Arawaks sailed from the Orinoco area of South America, today known as Venezuela and were the first people to land and settle in Barbados. Paddling long dugout canoes they crossed oceans and currents that challenge modern sailing vessels.
The Arawaks were short, olive-skinned people who bound their foreheads during infancy to slope it into a point. They considered this along with black and white body painting to be attractive. The CaÏques (chiefs) and influential members of the tribe wore nose plugs and/or rings made of copper and gold alloys.

They made their new home in Barbados along the coast, developing an uninhabited island into an agricultural site by growing cotton, cassava, corn, peanuts, guavas, and papaws (papaya). The cotton was woven and used for armbands and hammocks. Cassava was ground and grated to be made into casareep, a seasoning used in cooking. The Arawaks also used harpoons, nets, and hooks, to fish for food.

Fragments of tools made of shell, utensils, refuse and burial places is all that remains to remind us of a people who were the first inhabitants of this island.

Some items which Barbadians have maintained from the Arawaks are the hammock and the barbeque.

THE ATTACK OF THE CARIBS

The Arawaks inhabited Barbados until 1200 when they were attacked and conquered by the Caribs a warlike and savage people. The Caribs were a taller and stronger Amerindian tribe than the Arawaks. They were also cannibals who were rumoured to have barbecued their captives and washed them down with cassava beer. They were incredibly accurate bowmen and used a powerful poison to paralyze their prey. The Caribs inhabited the island until 1492.

THE PORTUGESE INFLUENCE 

The Portugese came to Barbados en route to Brazil. They were the first Europeans in history to explore the island ins earch of fresh water. They did not stay long, but the island was named Los Barbados (bearded-ones) by the Portugese explorer Pedro a Campos. It was so named, presumably, after the island's fig trees, which roots hang down from the branches and have a beard-like appearance. This name would remain throughout the rest of Barbados' history. 

SPANISH INVASION

Despite the Caribs' ruthless warlike abilities, the island was taken over by the Spanish in 1492.  The Spanish killed off the Caribs through war, the contagious European small pox and tuberculosis. The Spanish never settled the island but moved on in search of some of the larger islands for developing.

 

THE ENGLISH COLONIZATION

A new period in Barbados's history began when the first English ship touched the island on May 14th 1625 under the command of Captain John Powell. The island was therefore claimed on behalf of King James I.

On February 17th 1627, English colonisation began when Captain Henry Powell landed with a party of 80 settlers and 10 slaves, who were capture en-route froma  trading vessel, to occupy and settle the island. This expedition established the city of Holetown in 1627, formerly known as Jamestown. Within a few years much of the land had been deforested to make way for the planting of tobacco, yams, cassava and cotton plantations, thus beginning a long period of English rule which lasted 339 years and gained the island the name of "Little England".

During the 1630's, Powell introduced sugar to the island's agriculture, because of difficulties encountered with the crops. this also signalled the start of a century of slavery.  The wealth which was obtained from these crops was used to build an excellent infrastructure in Barbados and one such benefit was that the colonists established a House of Assembly in 1639, making it the third oldest in the British Commonwealth.

In 1847, barbados passed an Act establishing a public libraray to use by everyone for free. This Act was established years before anything similar was done in Britain.

The depression of the 1930's caused widespread umemployment in Barbados and fuelled the discontent which was still abundant since the abolition of slavery. This finally came to a head in 1937 when rioting occurred. from these riots emerged a group who were determined to win equality for their people.

From then on Barbados' remained a British colony until its independence in 1966.

A TALE OF TWO S's: SUGAR & SLAVERY

The introduction of sugarcane, tobacco and cotton to the agricultural system also called for the need for labourers. This situation was initially solved by the immigration of white civilians who wanted to emigrate overseas. They signed an agreement to serve a planter in Barbados for a period of 5 or 7 years and thus secured their passage.

As the export of these products grew so too did the need for more labour, this problem was solved through kidnapping, and  the exportation of convicted criminals to Barbados. A potential market formed for slaves in order for Barbados to meet their requirements. Forced labour came from West African areas such as Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon. Many slaves did not survive the journey from Africa,  due to the inhumane conditions on the slave ships, but many thousands still reached their destination.

Barbados became known as the King of Sugar in the early years. However the onslaught of many natural disasters in the late 1600s, such as the locust plague of 1663, the Bridgetown fire, a major hurricane in 1667, Drought in 1668 and excessive rain in 1669 caused many financial problems for the planters. However, investment continued in sugar and slaves and was perceived to have good prospects.

THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

Barbados is known for two pirates of the Caribbean - Sam Lord and Stede Bonnet.

Samuel Hall Lord (1778 - 1844)

Sam Lord was one of the most famous and perhaps unusual pirates on the island of Barbados. He ammased himself a great wealth for his castle without setting foot on the high seas. He did this through the direct plundering of ships stranded in the coral reefs just off the coast of his estate. Legend has it that Sam Lord would hang lanterns high in the coconut trees around his estate. Passing ships far out at sea would think it was the port city of Bridgetown and would sail towards the reefs causing them to wreck their ships. Sam Lord would then board the ships and keep the riches for his castle.

His castle was eventually turned into a hotel called the Sam Lord's Castle which closed in the early 2000's.

Stede Bonnet (1688 - 1718)

 Stede Bonnet was an early 18th century pirate who was sometimes known as the gentleman pirate because he was a moderately wealthy landowner before turning to a life of crime. Bonnet was born into a wealthy family life and inherited his father's estate upon his death. He joined the military for a few years and then decided to turn to piracy in the summer of 1717. He bought a sailing vessel, an unheard of act among the pirates of the Caribbean, named it Revenge, and traveled with his paid crew along the American eastern seaboard, capturing other vessels and burning down Barbadian ships.

Bonnet set sail for the Bahamas but was wounded in an encounter with a Spanish warship.  Bonnet met  the infamous Blackbeard in Nassau and asked him to temporarily take command of his ship due to his injury. His crew abandoned him after his failure to capture a ship. Bonnet was pardoned  by the governor of North Carolina but the desire for piracy was too strong. He returned to piracy in July 1718 under the alias "Captain Thomas" and changed his ship's name to Royal James.

In August & September, a naval expedition was led against all pirates and Bonnett was captured. he escaped on October 24th but was recaptured. Bonnet was brought to trial and charged with two acts of piracy  on November 10th. He was hung on december 10th 1718 .

BUSSA'S REBELLION

 Bussa's rebellion is perhaps one of the most well known slave uprisings in Barbados. Bussa was born a free man in Africa, but was captured by the English men and brought to Barbados as a slave. The rebellion was planned at a number of estates but began at Bayley's plantation. Washington Franklin, Nanny Grigg and other slaves, drivers and artisans partook in the planning. The decision was made in February 1816 that the rebellion would take place at Easter. Some 400 freedom fighters were involved in the battle on Tuesday April 16th and Bussa was killed in battle. The fighters were defeated but the rebellion's impact was significant to Barbados' future.
In 1999, Bussa was named as the first national hero of Barbados and in Barbados there is a monument and round -a-bout in his honour.

ABOLITION & EMANCIPATION

 After the abolition of slavery in 1834, a 4-year apprenticeship period followed during which free men continued to work a 45-hour week without pay in exchange for living in the tiny huts provided by the plantation owners.  Freedom from slavery was celebrated in 1838 at the end of the apprenticeship period with over 70,000 Barbadians of African descent taking to the streets in song.
 

AN INDEPENDENT NATION (1966 - PRESENT)

Barbados remained under British rule until internal autonomy was granted in 1961. Barbados gained full independence on November 30th 1966, under the leadership of teh late Errol Walton Barrow of the D.L.P,however still maintains ties to the Britain monarchy, represented in Barbados by the Governor General. It is also a member of the Commonwealth. British customs and traditions remain strong here, as does the African influence. The colourful history which makes Barbados what it is combines an English afternoon tea with African foods making for a unique blend.

For more concise information about Barbados you can purchase "The History of Barbados" by contacting tony thomas at (246) 428-4015 or e-mailing at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it