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{{About|the 1816 revolt in Barbados|the 1915 revolt in Nigeria| |
{{About|the 1816 revolt in Barbados|the 1915 revolt in Nigeria|Bussa rebellion}} |
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[[File:God always saves endavour.jpg|thumb|Sketch of a flag used by the |
[[File:God always saves endavour.jpg|thumb|Sketch of a flag used by the Bussa rebels including the slogan "Happiness Remains for Ever with endavoerance... Britannia are happy to lead any such Sons as endavwrance and God Always saves endavour"{{sic}}]]{{North American Slave Revolts}} |
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'''Bussa's rebellion''' (14–16 April 1816) was the largest [[slave revolt]] in [[Barbadian history]]. The rebellion takes its name from the African-born slave, Bussa, who led the rebellion which was defeated by [[British Army|British forces]]. Bussa's Rebellion was the first of three large-scale slave rebellions in the [[British West Indies]] that shook public faith in slavery in the years leading up to the [[Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|abolition of slavery]] in the British Empire and emancipation of former slaves. It was followed by the large-scale [[Demerara rebellion of 1823|rebellion in Demerara in 1823]] and by an even larger [[Baptist War|rebellion in Jamaica in 1831–32]]. Collectively these are often referred to as the "late slave rebellions". |
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==Bussa== |
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Bussa ({{IPAc-en|'|b|ʌ|s|ə}}) was born a free man in [[West Africa]] of possible Nigerian descent<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Critical Response to Kamau Brathwaite |first=Emily Allen |last=Williams |page=235 |publisher=Praeger Publishers |year=2004 |isbn=0-275-97957-1}}</ref> and was captured by [[African slave trade|African slave merchants]], sold to the British, and transported to Barbados (where [[Barbados Slave Code|slavery had been legal]] since 1661) in the late 18th century as a slave. Not much is known about him and there are no records of him prior to this date. Since slave owners almost never bothered to keep detailed records about the lives of their slaves (who were considered property), virtually no biographical information about Bussa is available. Records show a slave named "Bussa" worked as a ''ranger'' (a head officer among the slaves) on "[[Bayley's Plantation]]" in the parish of [[Saint Philip, Barbados|Saint Philip]] around the time of the rebellion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/bussas-rebellion/ |author=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]] |title=Bussa’s rebellion |access-date=2020-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001044954/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/bussas-rebellion/ |archive-date=2020-10-01}}</ref> This position would have given Bussa more freedom of movement than the average slave and would have made it easier for him to plan and coordinate the rebellion. |
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==Revolt== |
==Revolt== |
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[[File: |
[[File:Bussa statue.png|thumb|left|upright|''[[Bussa Emancipation Statue]]'' (1985) in [[Bridgetown]]]] |
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The revolts arose at a time when the British Parliament was working on schemes to ameliorate the conditions of slaves in the Caribbean. Preparation for this rebellion began soon after the House of Assembly discussed and rejected the [[Imperial Registry Bill]] in November 1815, which would have registered colonial slaves. Historians believe that slaves interpreted some of the parliamentary proposals as preparatory to emancipation, and took action when freedom did not take place.<ref name="nlj">[http://www.nlj.gov.jm/history-notes/The%20Emancipation%20Wars.pdf "The Emancipation Wars"], National Library of Jamaica</ref> |
The revolts arose at a time when the British Parliament was working on schemes to ameliorate the conditions of slaves in the Caribbean. Preparation for this rebellion began soon after the House of Assembly discussed and rejected the [[Imperial Registry Bill]] in November 1815, which would have registered colonial slaves. Historians believe that slaves interpreted some of the parliamentary proposals as preparatory to emancipation, and took action when freedom did not take place.<ref name="nlj">[http://www.nlj.gov.jm/history-notes/The%20Emancipation%20Wars.pdf "The Emancipation Wars"], National Library of Jamaica</ref> |
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Among |
Among Bussa's collaborators were Washington, Franklin, John and Nanny Grigg, a senior domestic slave, and Jackey on Simmons' Plantation, as well as other slaves, drivers and artisans. Jackey was a Creole driver who was an important figure. The planning was undertaken at a number of sugar estates, including Bailey's plantation, where it began. By February 1816, Bussa was an African driver, one of the few in his position.<ref name="nlj"/> He and his collaborators decided to start the revolt on 14 April, Easter Sunday. |
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Bussa, King Wiltshire, Dick Bailey, and Johnny led the slaves into battle at Bailey's Plantation on Tuesday, 16 April. He commanded some 400 freedom fighters, both men and women, most of whom were believed to be Creole, born in the islands. He was killed in battle. His forces continued the fight until they were defeated by superior firepower of the colonial militia. The rebellion failed but its influence was significant to the future of Barbados. |
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==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
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* |
* Bussa remains a popular figure in Barbados. |
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* In 1985, 169 years after his rebellion, the [[ |
* In 1985, 169 years after his rebellion, the [[Bussa Emancipation Statue|Emancipation Statue]], created by Karl Broodhagen, was unveiled in Haggatt Hall, in the parish of St Michael. |
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* 1998, the [[Parliament of Barbados|Parliament]] named |
* 1998, the [[Parliament of Barbados|Parliament]] named Bussa as one of the ten [[Barbadian National Heroes|National Heroes of Barbados]].<ref name=Parl>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barbadosparliament.com/history.php |title=Parliament's History |publisher=Parliament of Barbados |year=2009 |work=BarbadosParliament.com |accessdate=15 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523083154/http://www.barbadosparliament.com/history.php |archivedate=23 May 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://www.itzcaribbean.com/history_barbados_bussa.php |
* [http://www.itzcaribbean.com/history_barbados_bussa.php Bussa profile], Itzcaribbean |
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* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/education/bussa.pdf Bussa's Rebellion: How and Why did the Enslaved Africans of Barbados rebel in 1816], [[National Archives (UK)]] |
* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/education/bussa.pdf Bussa's Rebellion: How and Why did the Enslaved Africans of Barbados rebel in 1816], [[National Archives (UK)]] |
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Revision as of 05:37, 10 December 2020
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| North American slave revolts |
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Bussa's rebellion (14–16 April 1816) was the largest slave revolt in Barbadian history. The rebellion takes its name from the African-born slave, Bussa, who led the rebellion which was defeated by British forces. Bussa's Rebellion was the first of three large-scale slave rebellions in the British West Indies that shook public faith in slavery in the years leading up to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and emancipation of former slaves. It was followed by the large-scale rebellion in Demerara in 1823 and by an even larger rebellion in Jamaica in 1831–32. Collectively these are often referred to as the "late slave rebellions".
Bussa
Bussa (/ˈbʌsə/) was born a free man in West Africa of possible Nigerian descent[1] and was captured by African slave merchants, sold to the British, and transported to Barbados (where slavery had been legal since 1661) in the late 18th century as a slave. Not much is known about him and there are no records of him prior to this date. Since slave owners almost never bothered to keep detailed records about the lives of their slaves (who were considered property), virtually no biographical information about Bussa is available. Records show a slave named "Bussa" worked as a ranger (a head officer among the slaves) on "Bayley's Plantation" in the parish of Saint Philip around the time of the rebellion.[2] This position would have given Bussa more freedom of movement than the average slave and would have made it easier for him to plan and coordinate the rebellion.
Revolt
The revolts arose at a time when the British Parliament was working on schemes to ameliorate the conditions of slaves in the Caribbean. Preparation for this rebellion began soon after the House of Assembly discussed and rejected the Imperial Registry Bill in November 1815, which would have registered colonial slaves. Historians believe that slaves interpreted some of the parliamentary proposals as preparatory to emancipation, and took action when freedom did not take place.[3]
Among Bussa's collaborators were Washington, Franklin, John and Nanny Grigg, a senior domestic slave, and Jackey on Simmons' Plantation, as well as other slaves, drivers and artisans. Jackey was a Creole driver who was an important figure. The planning was undertaken at a number of sugar estates, including Bailey's plantation, where it began. By February 1816, Bussa was an African driver, one of the few in his position.[3] He and his collaborators decided to start the revolt on 14 April, Easter Sunday.
Bussa, King Wiltshire, Dick Bailey, and Johnny led the slaves into battle at Bailey's Plantation on Tuesday, 16 April. He commanded some 400 freedom fighters, both men and women, most of whom were believed to be Creole, born in the islands. He was killed in battle. His forces continued the fight until they were defeated by superior firepower of the colonial militia. The rebellion failed but its influence was significant to the future of Barbados.
Legacy
- Bussa remains a popular figure in Barbados.
- In 1985, 169 years after his rebellion, the Emancipation Statue, created by Karl Broodhagen, was unveiled in Haggatt Hall, in the parish of St Michael.
- 1998, the Parliament named Bussa as one of the ten National Heroes of Barbados.[4]
References
- ^ Williams, Emily Allen (2004). The Critical Response to Kamau Brathwaite. Praeger Publishers. p. 235. ISBN 0-275-97957-1.
- ^ The National Archives. "Bussa's rebellion". Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ a b "The Emancipation Wars", National Library of Jamaica
- ^ "Parliament's History". BarbadosParliament.com. Parliament of Barbados. 2009. Archived from the original on 23 May 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
Further reading
- Beckles, Hilary. "A History of Barbados: From Amerindian Settlement to Caribbean Single Market". Cambridge University Press, 2007.
- Beckles, Hilary. Black Rebellion in Barbados. Bridgetown, Barbados: Antilles Publications, 1984. [detailed account of the rebellion]
- Craton, Michael. Testing the Chains: Resistance to Slavery in the British West Indies, Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1982. [detailed account of the rebellion]
- Rodriguez, Junius P., ed. Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2006.