Bussa reflections start Season of Emancipation

Five cultural pop-ups to start the Season of Emancipation will feature music, including African drumming. (National Cultural Foundation)

Today is the anniversary of the Bussa Rebellion, and signals the start of the Season of Emancipation in Barbados.

In 1816, a slave called Bussa led the uprising in bid to win the enslaved in Barbados freedom.

From today, under the theme, Reimagining the Past; Celebrating the Future, the Division of Culture, in the Prime Minister’s Office, is organising a number of events for the Season across the island, beginning this morning.

The Season of Emancipation Pop-Up Series kicks off with live painting, dancing, spoken word and musical performances from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at five locations:
• Holetown, St. James at 11:00 a.m.
• Oistins, Christ Church at midday
• Six Roads. St. Philip at 1:30 p.m.
• Speightstown, St. Peter at 2:00 p.m.
• Bridgetown, St. Michael at 4:00 p.m.

The Season of Emancipation is a time to reflect not only on the injustice and suffering of slavery but also on the unbroken spirit of the ancestors of Barbadians.

Much of Barbados’ cultural heritage, including dance, music and cuisine, is proudly rooted in the traditions and experiences of the country’s African descendants.

The 2023 Season of Emancipation logo. (National Cultural Foundation)

The first event starting is Holetown is symbolic given that Holetown was the site of the first British landing in Barbados in 1625, and the first settlement by the British two years later.  The cultural activity starts at 11:00 a.m. by Trents Playing Field with entertainment by the Haynesville Youth Group. Visual artists Von Hall and Shanika Grimes will also be on site creating works. 

The Emancipation celebrations then move to Oistins Bay Garden at midday. Oistins played a significant role as a trans-shipment point for sugar and other crops grown at nearby plantations. 

In 1652 at The Mermaid Tavern in Oistins, the Charter of Barbados was signed between Oliver Cromwell’s representative and the Governor of Barbados who remained loyal to the King. 

The Charter guaranteed Barbados colonists rights and privileges unheard of in any other colony, including rights to their land and local control of taxation.

The cultural pop-up at Oistins features Christ Church Foundation School Steel Orchestra and Dancin’ Africa.  

At 1:30 p.m., the activities head to the East at Six Roads, St. Philip where Pinelands Creative Workshop and dramatist Wayne ‘Skillett’ Harewood will perform in Emerald City Carpark.

At 2:00 p.m. in the northern part of the country comes alive with Darryl Jordan Secondary School Steel Orchestra and spoken-word artist Luci Hammans in Speightstown Esplanade. 

In the 17th century Speightstown was a major port, with ships arriving from England. Schooners ran between Speightstown and Bridgetown. Speightstown has been twinned with the British town of Bristol and with the City of Charleston, South Carolina in the United States.

The day’s activities fittingly culminate at Golden Square Freedom Park in Bridgetown, St. Michael at 4:00 p.m.

Bridgetown was the first port of call for ships making the trans-Atlantic crossing from Africa. In the 17th century, it was regarded as the centre of the British Atlantic trade, as a port for the trade of goods including sugar and slaves. This historic city and its nearby Garrison was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

On stage at Golden Square Freedom Park, will be the Barbados Community College Folk Chorale and St. Leonard’s Boys’ School Steel Orchestra. 

The next major date on the Season of Emancipation calendar is National Heroes Day, April 28. There will be activities starting from Thursday, April 17 to Sunday, April 30. That weekend, the 11 parishes will host events in honour of our 11 national heroes.

St. Lucy: The Right Excellent Charles Duncan O’Neal; St. Peter: The Right Excellent Frank Walcott; St. James: The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers; St. Andrew: The Right Excellent Hugh Springer; St. Joseph: The Right Excellent Sir Grantley Adams; St. John: The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow; St. Philip: The Right Excellent Bussa; St. George: The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod; St. Thomas: The Right Excellent Clement Osbourne Payne; and St. Michael: The Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

Other key dates during the Season are Labour Day, May 1; Africa Day, May 25; The Day of National Significance, July 26; Emancipation Day, August 1; Marcus Garvey Day, August 17 and Jackie Opel Day, August 27. (PR) 

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