Barbados is an independent island nation in the eastern Caribbean that was formerly a British colony. It has a population that is predominantly of African descent but was greatly influenced by British colonialism, adopting English traditions like cricket and tea while maintaining African cultural influences in areas like religion, music, and cuisine. As a tourist destination, Barbados offers beautiful beaches, historic plantations, and attractions showcasing its colonial and cultural history.

1. Barbados
JIBSON POTHEN, VIHTM, B18
Guide- Mr. Barun Mohanty

2. THESIS
 Barbados is a country that’s fairly new to the concept of
independence. Unlike most subjects of the Black
Diaspora, the Barbadians have benefitted greatly from
British Colonialism.
 Blacks in Barbados successfully adopted an English
government through British colonialism while maintaining
strong African economic principles and culture.

3.  Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British
Commonwealth nation. Bridgetown, the capital, is a cruise-ship port with
colonial buildings and Nidhe Israel, a synagogue founded in 1654.
Around the island are beaches, botanical gardens, the Harrison’s Cave
formation, and 17th-century plantation houses like St. Nicholas Abbey.
Local traditions include afternoon tea and cricket, the national sport.
 Capital: Bridgetown
 Recognised regional languages: Bajan Creole
 Capital and largest city: Bridgetown; 13°06′N 59°37′W/13.100°N
59.617°W
 Currency: Barbadian dollar
 In 1966, Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth
realm with the British monarch (presently Queen Elizabeth II) as
hereditary head of state. It has a population of 284,996 people,
predominantly of African descent. Despite being classified as an Atlantic
island, Barbados is considered to be a part of the Caribbean, where it is
ranked as a leading tourist destination. Forty percent of the tourists come
from the UK, with the US and Canada making up the next large groups of
visitors to the island. In 2016, Transparency International's Corruption
Perceptions Index ranked Barbados sixth in the Americas after Canada,
the United States, Uruguay, Chile and the Bahamas.

4. PEOPLE OF BARBADOS
 Barbados Ordinary & Extraordinary Personalities
The Caribbean is full of people who are larger than life. They fill
your mind with their colourful speech, their walk, their
engaging looks and their endless energy and love of life. They
are children who will never grow old, no matter what their age,
they insist on having fun.
 Stories
Barbados personalities are no exception to the rule, but
Barbadians (also known as Bajans) will surprise with their
warmth, casual charm and sophistication. The island is a
reflection of its people. Here the simple chattel house sits
boldly in the splendor of wealthy estates. The beach vendor
will happily discuss the meaning of life with anyone, from
Pope to movie star. They usually have an inspired point of
view.

5. BAJAN PERSONALITIES
 Barbadians are different to other Caribbean
Personalities in many ways. They are most spiritual
and religiously conscious. They are by nature open,
thoughtful and generous. They love a party but will
have time for anyone, they like people, no matter
what background, race, and disposition. They make
time for quiet and shy people and draw them out
with disarming innocence and charm. They will rise
to the occasion on any occasion to shoot the
breeze and laugh and joke with the most
outrageous personalities of our time.

6. BRITISH INFLUENCE ON BARBADOS CULTURE
 Often called “Little England”
 Blend of African and British culture and language
 “Asearly as 1837, for example, many elementary
schoolteachers were blacks who not only taught an English
classical curriculum but also strongly upheld its attendant
cultural values and behavioural attitudes.” (Stoddart 319).
 “Indistinction, and essentially in opposition to this, a folk
culture persisted strongly within the black majority descended
from African slaves” (Stoddart 320).

7. BRITISH INFLUENCE ON BARBADOS CULTURE
 ManyFestivals occur to celebrate special event
 95% Christian (Anglican)
 Mainmusic style is calypso and soca
 National Dish is Cou-Cou and Flying Fish
 Mainsport is cricket
 Architecture contains Georgian, Victorian, and Jacobean styles
 Bajansnever abandoned their culture. They just added on
British influence.
s

8. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
One of the most well-developed of all the Caribbean and Atlantic
Islands, Barbados retains the refined elegance and cultural
customs of its British roots (think cricket and high tea) infused
with a colorful West Indian vibe. Barbados gained
independence from Britain in 1966, but many of the relics from
its colonial past still stand. In Bridgetown, the clean and safe
capital, impressive colonial buildings and the historic garrison
are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Around the
island are sprawling sugar plantations and historic museums,
along with endless tropical beauty. Pretty pink and white coral-
sand beaches, pale turquoise seas, and a dramatic east coast
sculpted by pounding surf are some of the island's major
attractions. The warm ocean waters can be turbulent, but the
island offers a few sheltered beaches for swimming and
snorkeling, as well as great surfing and some popular dive
sites. On land, exploring caverns, jungle-clad gullies, and the
island's beautiful botanical gardens are popular things to do.

9. 1 Crane Beach
2 Bathsheba
3 Parliament Buildings, Bridgetown
4 Hunte's Gardens
5 Andromeda Botanic Gardens
6 Gun Hill Signal Station
7 Welchman Hall Gully
8 Harrison's Cave Tour
9 Flower Forest
10 St. Nicholas Abbey
11 Sunbury Plantation Tour
12 Diving and Snorkeling in Folkestone Marine Park
13 Farley Hill National Park
14 Barbados Wildlife Reserve

10.  More Beautiful Islands near Barbados
Barbados and its capital Bridgetown lie just to the east of a
string of other popular Caribbean islands. To find out
about the top things to see and do on these islands,
check out our articles on Trinidad &
Tobago, Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, and Montserrat.
These islands, along with Antigua & Barbuda, north of
Barbados, are home to some of the best beaches in the
Caribbean as well as some of the top luxury all-inclusive
resorts in the Caribbean. If you need some inspiration
on other tropical getaways, see our article on the best
tropical vacations.

11. CONCLUSION
 The post colonial status of Blacks in Barbados is unique
when compared to other island nations. The Barbadians
are products of a successful fusion of British and African
culture. The English language and government is
practiced on a global scale, but the economy and
customs are distinctively African based on the domestic
front. The only possible problem regarding colonialism is
Barbados’ reluctance to abandon the Representative
Parliamentary government. However, that serves to
evidence the stability that the British brought to
Barbados.