Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.
COMMEMORATING THE “CUFFY SLAVE REBELLION” OF 1675
By David Comissiong
Please permit me to take you back to Barbados in the year of 1675.
In what was then the world’s first out-and-out slave society, 33 000 Black or African Barbadians were held in miserable and evil slavery by the combined military might of the local white Barbadian and British power structure.
In response to this state of intolerable suffering, a network of enslaved African Bajans developed a plan to rise up, over-power and destroy the white slave-master class, take over the Island, create an Akan-type polity and install an elderly “Gold Coast African” by the name of CUFFY as King of Barbados.
Unfortunately, the plot was discovered; martial law was declared; and more than 100 African Barbadians were arrested and subjected to a process of interrogation, torture, trial, and execution – by being either beheaded or burnt alive.
One of those arrested and being held was TONY – described in a contemporary document as a “sturdy Negro”.
Tony was in the presence of another rebel who was being interrogated, tortured, and urged to confess and give up the names of other conspirators.
It is reported that Tony overheard this terrorised rebel asking his tormentors for water – a sure sign that he was about to break and to speak and divulge information.
Thereupon, Tony immediately spoke up and admonished him as follows:
“Thou Fool, art there not enough of our countrymen killed already? Art thou minded to kill them all?”
This rebuke caused the terrorised black man to remain silent. And in obvious resentment one of the white torturers shouted to Tony:
“Tony, sirrah, we shall see you fry bravely by and by!”
Tony’s response to this threat of the most horrible death imaginable was to declare proudly and defiantly:
“If you roast me today, you cannot roast me tomorrow!”
Tony was burnt to death – one of 42 heroes/martyrs who had the audacity to claim their freedom and dignity.
In doing what he did – in courageously speaking up and admonishing his fellow rebel not to divulge any names – Tony undoubtedly saved the lives of several of his compatriots.
What magnificent and exemplary courage, dignity, brotherhood, and solidarity!
We Barbadians of this era should be ever conscious of our great heritage and should conduct ourselves with such dignity, courage and self respect that we demonstrate at all times that we are worthy sons and daughters of our magnificent Tony and King Cuffy.
Let us therefore proudly commemorate the 348th anniversary of the “Cuffy Slave Rebellion” on Monday 12th June 2023, and in so doing, let us ensure that we invoke and lift up the names and imperishable examples of King Cuffy and Tony.
David Comissiong is Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM and the Association of Caribbean States.
