Barbados was named after the bearded fig trees that used to cover the island. English settlers arrived in 1627 and established the slave trade, bringing Africans to the island. By the mid-1600s, the population included around 6,000 English and 5,680-6,400 slaves. Sugar cane became the main crop. In 1816, the Bussa Rebellion broke out during a period of economic decline, with up to 2,000 slaves rebelling against their masters. Today, Barbados faces issues such as unemployment around 10% and a large fiscal deficit due to the global recession.

1. Barbados
The Name Barbados comes from Portuguese name 'Os
Barbados' which means bearded one, because of the bearded
fig trees that used to cover the island.

2. Historical Background of Barbados
In 1627, a small group of Englishmen arrived from
England, bringing a handful of African captures during the
sea voyage, where they formed England’s second colony in
the Caribbean Islands.
From 1651 to 1807, the last year of British slave trade,
according to book estimate that 352,884 slaves arrived at
the island; on the other land, Curtin estimates 368,200 for
the same period.
The main crop in Barbados was sugar cane which became a
huge commodity on the island.

3. Maroon Histories
Around the mid-1636, Barbados was
inhabited with about 6,000 English and
established slave trade bringing Africans to
Barbadian shores.
1643-45 estimate 5,680 to 6,400 slaves and
18,300 to 18,600 European males.
Barbados has a mixture of African, British
and other influences. According to Totally
Barbados, Barbados has 90% African
descent, 6% Indian, Asian and mixed races
and 4% European descent.

4. Slave Revolt
 The end of Napoleonic Wars in
1815 led to a drop in the sugar
market .
 Barbadians had debated and
pleaded with the imperial
government about registration
of colonial slaves.
 As a result a rebellion broke out
on Easter Sunday night April
14, 1816 at a time when the
slaves were free from work.
 Up to seventy estates were
affected and the residents’
whites fled to Oistin fort or
Bridgetown in panic.
 Two whites were killed. About
100 slaves were killed, 144
executed, 170 deported and
roaming slaves were shot on
the spot.
 Negro houses were burned and
captives were tortured .
Convicted rebels were executed
publicly in different parts of the
island .
 The slave revolt became known
as the Bussa Rebellion by
ordinary Barbadians after a
slave from bailey’s estate, St.
Philip.

5. Foodways of Barbados
Flying Fish
Coo Coo
Roti
Plantain
Sugar Cane
Okra

6. Music
Calypso
http://youtu.be/nuwx1fobpJI
Tuk bands
Spouge
http://youtu.be/4adRtLgI1c4

7. Dance
Barbadian folk dances are performed at Landship
and Barbados festival which is known as crop over.
The origins of Crop Over can be traced back to 1780s
when Barbados was the largest producer of sugar.
Since the revival of Crop Over, the festival has
become a form cultural expression on the island.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Y9e9qyHTgJs&list=WLCAB67BCD404FC2EA

8. Crop Over Festival

9. Religious
Religion and folk music are intertwined in the daily
lives of most Barbadians. The basis for religious folk
music is the Anglican hymn, which is a kind of praise
song normally sung on Sundays. A day when
Christian Barbadians come together with family
members to sing and praise God.

10. Present Day Issues
According to UN data, in 2010 unemployment went to
10.8% compared to 9.1 in 2005. Currently, there is no
statics on employment in the industrial sector for 2010
however, in 2005 the employment rate was 17.3%.
According to the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS), the
total value of imports fell by 10.8 per cent or $289.2
million to $2,393.6 million in 2010.
Due to the global recession, the fiscal deficit 2010/2011
was estimated at 8.8 per cent of GDP compared with 8.5
per cent for the period 2009/2010.

11. Barbadian communities living in the US
In the 2010 U.S. Census estimation reported over 100,000
to 150,000 Barbadian Americans live in the U.S. The
majority of Bajans reside in the New York City area
extending from Rhode Island to Delaware. In years gone
some also moved to the area of Chicago, Illinois.