Bussa Slave Rebellion - Barbados

This post is an imaginative analysis concerning the Bussa Slave Rebellion in Barbados. It includes the story of everyday people who were forever changed by the rebellion: One such person is Danial, a hard-working African who had risen to the rank of Cobbler and was a much-appreciated worker.

Danial was a regrettable casualty of the rebellion. A slave who had done well, and was a knowledgeable worker. He was caught up in a competition amongst his fellow workers. He identified with the reason and was enticed by the interest of the moment. They were many people like him: People with families who enjoyed life and did not want to die. He is included in this tale to represent the lots of individuals that had implied or subservient functions as well as were not instigators.

Bussa's Slave Uprising made the colonial planters think twice about the hazards of confining totally free men and women from Africa. The United Nations (UN) says it is a crime against humanity.

Although the Rebellion  did not topple the plantocracy it did assist the reason for the abolitionists and made planters remember that slavery was not an option.

The entire affair was started prematurely. It seems by some of those who attended the dance, which was staged to get together the people and outline details of the revolt that was to be island-wide.

The revolt started on Easter Sunday at night on  April 14, 1816. It broke out with cane fields being burned in St. Philip parish. This was the sign that the revolt had begun.

It immediately spread to neighboring adjoining parishes, but the local militia had not confronted the rebels.  In the first days of the rebellion, over seventy estates were affected, forcing the planters to flee to Bridgetown, the colonial capital, in panic. Only two non Africans were reported killed.

The revolt was suppressed by local Militia and British imperial troops that included slave as soldiers. 144 people were executed. 70 were sentenced to death and 170 were deported to neighboring British colonies in the Caribbean.

See the animated tale of Bussa here.

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Babados Bussa Rebellion