On April 14, 1816, the Bussa Rebellion—one of the most significant uprisings in Barbados’ history—began at Bailey’s Plantation in St. Philip. Led by Bussa and fellow freedom fighters, enslaved persons launched coordinated attacks, setting fire to cane fields and estate buildings across several parishes. The revolt prompted swift military response, with martial law declared and hundreds of rebels captured or killed. Despite its suppression, the rebellion exposed the deep resistance to slavery and shattered the myth of contentment among the enslaved population. It remains a defining moment in Barbados’ journey toward emancipation and a powerful symbol of the fight for freedom.
The Barbados Advocate surveyed Barbadians on the proposed West Indies Federation, revealing differing views on how regional integration should develop. While some favoured immediate...
The Bridgetown Cage discourse
Hello, I am Chelsea Osborne, graduate student in the Department of History, Philosophy, and Psychology at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill...