Barbados is getting ready to celebrate 50 years of independence, but it seems to have forgotten 200 years of rebellion from the same oppressive slave system that it celebrates its breakaway from. In 1816 General Bussa was instrumental in an uprising of slaves against their masters and the tyrannical system of slavery. This can well be seen as the first blow thrown in Barbados for our struggle for independence.
"On the morning of Sunday April 14, 1816 Bussa led around 400 slaves in rebellion. Several cane fields were set afire and from Bayley’s Plantation in St Philip the insurrection quickly spread to Christ Church, St George, St Thomas, St Lucy and St Thomas.
The white plantation owners were totally caught off guard. The slaves fought valiantly against the troops of the First West India regiment and it was reported The rebellion spread from plantation to plantation until about half of the island was caught up in the insurrection. It took four days for the authorities to regain control. Bussa was killed in battle, and the ringleaders were executed.
Although the rebellion ultimately failed, it was never forgotten. In 1985 more than a century later, the Emancipation Statue was erected at the roundabout in Haggatt Hall, St Michael. In 1999, Bussa was named as one of the national heroes of Barbados." Taken from itz Caribbean
As roundabouts all over the island are decorated for the independence celebration it seems that this roundabout at Haggat Hall has been left out.It would stand to reason this particular roundabout should be decorated the best as it should represent our first step to independence. Why have we forgotten the sacrifice General BUSSA made for us? The sacrifice of his life for ours should not be scoffed at and tossed aside.
This petition is being done in the hope that someone in the Ministry of Culture, Commission for Pan African Affairs, Prime Ministers Office will respect our ancestry and ancestor enough to address this grave insult to the champion of our freedom. I suggest if they can't deal with it, any one or all three of those offices empower a Pan African Civil Society Organisation to host a celebratory activity near the BUSSA statue.
Maybe, just maybe if the nation speaks up loud enough action will be taken. 7 million for independence celebration and not a cent for BUSSA.
If you agree with the African Heritage Foundation on this point of respect and order please sign this petition to Big Up Bussa and share it with friends and family.
19 Comments
"Bussa is a national monument and can't be decorated"... Clean him and put light or something to make the roundabout look good you don't have to string lights on the statue...stop with this backward one way thinking... Gosh man!
We should give respect and acknowledge all of national heroes in this 50 years of independence. I believe that all monuments of our heroes should be adorned with symbols of what they had done for my country. This would help to educate the population and visitors alike of how great Barbados really is.
I am appalled at the distribution of funds towards the Independence celebrations as I have been with regards to giving back to the people of Barbados in general. Paradise is not a paradise if those who cultivate the land are not loved. The rebellions to end slavery fortified the empowerment needed for the nation to move forward. We need to remember who fought for this Paradise and what it means to be free. Each and every citizen in Barbados deserves a fair chance and that is what this represents. How dare Bussa's memory be neglected from an Independence celebration in Barbados. Are you kidding me? Nuff said.
This roundabout is always neglected and I keep hoping it is because of some amazing reason. Only to discover nothing happens
We should not even have to sign a petition for this......makes one wonder. We should never forget on whose shoulders we stand.
Big up Bussa!
Decorate General Bussa
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Barbados is getting ready to celebrate 50 years of independence, but it seems to have forgotten 200 years of rebellion from the same oppressive slave system that it celebrates its breakaway from. In 1816 General Bussa was instrumental in an uprising of slaves against their masters and the tyrannical system of slavery. This can well be seen as the first blow thrown in Barbados for our struggle for independence.
"On the morning of Sunday April 14, 1816 Bussa led around 400 slaves in rebellion. Several cane fields were set afire and from Bayley’s Plantation in St Philip the insurrection quickly spread to Christ Church, St George, St Thomas, St Lucy and St Thomas.
The white plantation owners were totally caught off guard. The slaves fought valiantly against the troops of the First West India regiment and it was reported The rebellion spread from plantation to plantation until about half of the island was caught up in the insurrection. It took four days for the authorities to regain control. Bussa was killed in battle, and the ringleaders were executed.
Although the rebellion ultimately failed, it was never forgotten. In 1985 more than a century later, the Emancipation Statue was erected at the roundabout in Haggatt Hall, St Michael. In 1999, Bussa was named as one of the national heroes of Barbados." Taken from itz Caribbean
As roundabouts all over the island are decorated for the independence celebration it seems that this roundabout at Haggat Hall has been left out.It would stand to reason this particular roundabout should be decorated the best as it should represent our first step to independence. Why have we forgotten the sacrifice General BUSSA made for us? The sacrifice of his life for ours should not be scoffed at and tossed aside.
This petition is being done in the hope that someone in the Ministry of Culture, Commission for Pan African Affairs, Prime Ministers Office will respect our ancestry and ancestor enough to address this grave insult to the champion of our freedom. I suggest if they can't deal with it, any one or all three of those offices empower a Pan African Civil Society Organisation to host a celebratory activity near the BUSSA statue.
Maybe, just maybe if the nation speaks up loud enough action will be taken. 7 million for independence celebration and not a cent for BUSSA.
If you agree with the African Heritage Foundation on this point of respect and order please sign this petition to Big Up Bussa and share it with friends and family.
19 Comments
Was the official bicentennial celebration in April 2016 "from Bussa to Barrow" a sham?
"Bussa is a national monument and can't be decorated"... Clean him and put light or something to make the roundabout look good you don't have to string lights on the statue...stop with this backward one way thinking... Gosh man!
We should give respect and acknowledge all of national heroes in this 50 years of independence. I believe that all monuments of our heroes should be adorned with symbols of what they had done for my country. This would help to educate the population and visitors alike of how great Barbados really is.
I am appalled at the distribution of funds towards the Independence celebrations as I have been with regards to giving back to the people of Barbados in general. Paradise is not a paradise if those who cultivate the land are not loved. The rebellions to end slavery fortified the empowerment needed for the nation to move forward. We need to remember who fought for this Paradise and what it means to be free. Each and every citizen in Barbados deserves a fair chance and that is what this represents. How dare Bussa's memory be neglected from an Independence celebration in Barbados. Are you kidding me? Nuff said.
This roundabout is always neglected and I keep hoping it is because of some amazing reason. Only to discover nothing happens
We should not even have to sign a petition for this......makes one wonder. We should never forget on whose shoulders we stand.
Big up Bussa!
Decorate General Bussa
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Was the official bicentennial celebration in April 2016 "from Bussa to Barrow" a sham?