Barbadians urged to recognise significance of Bussa Rebellion

General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration (CMPI) David Denny encouraged Barbadians to support efforts that create better conditions for future generations as he also urged them to recognise the significance of the Bussa Rebellion.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY at the People’s Community Grounding for the Commemoration of the 207th Anniversary of the Bussa Rebellion on Friday, Denny said Barbadians should continue to engage in activities to observe the historic event which has helped to shape modern society.

“I am hoping that Barbadians will recognise that we are standing on the shoulders of those ancestors who would have fought many battles to create the conditions for the abolition of slavery and for our emancipation,” Denny told those gathered at the Ivy Sports Bar, Back Ivy, St Michael.

“I am hoping that the Barbadian community would be prepared to support progressive struggles so that we can do like our ancestors in terms of creating better conditions for future generations. We can say what we want, but a people that are aware of their history and where they have come from is a conscious people, and we want Barbadians to be conscious people.”

The Bussa Rebellion, which took place April 14-16, 1816, was the largest slave revolt in the history of Barbados.

Nanny Grigg was one of three people who organised the uprising at the Simmons Plantation while Bussa and three others led the one at Bayley’s Plantation.

“Generally, there are Barbadians who are very conscious of the Bussa and Nanny Grigg rebellion because we want to honour Nanny Grigg who should be a national hero in Barbados. There are Barbadians who are ready to stand in solidarity with this period,” Denny said.

He added that the CMPI remained committed to taking activities throughout communities across the island to commemorate the rebellion and other events linked to the abolition of slavery.

“So, today, on the anniversary of the rebellion, we are using the opportunity to recognise the historic event and at the same time to explain to the people all about the rebellion and to explain our call for reparations from Richard Drax and other persons who would have benefited from slavery,” Denny said referring to the British MP whose ancestors owned the Drax Hall Plantation here. (AH)