Low participation in the first Barbados Day

Not many people took part in the first Barbados Day on Friday, with some saying they were unaware that the initiative had begun, while others were unsure they would join the weekly observance.

The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Mia Mottley as part of Barbados’ 60th anniversary of Independence and fifth year as a Republic celebrations. It is being observed every Friday until November 30.

Persons walking wearing national colours

Mottley encouraged Barbadians to wear blue, gold and black, fly the national flag and share their participation as the country prepares for the milestone.

However, Bella White, who said she had not known Friday was Barbados Day, was not immediately convinced by the idea.

“It doesn’t hit home to me as anything significant to just say Barbados Day,” she said. “Independence Day says a lot to me because I’m very patriotic, but Barbados Day… it doesn’t mean anything really to me.

“As a proud Barbadian, it is the culture, not what is being advertised today as our culture,” she said. “Because in growing up, I remember, you know, with the sugar cane mostly, and our Christian value as a Christian society, which to me is sadly eroding today. 

“What I had liked about being a Barbadian is we are a proud people and I find that we are a loving people.” 

While she said she will wear national colours during the Independence season, she did not see herself making Barbados Day a weekly tradition.

“November is the time for me personally to be wearing colours. I wear yellow, blue at any time, but Independence is my day for me, not necessarily Barbados Day,” White said.

Phil Prescod was also unaware of the initiative before being approached.

“I’ve never heard of Barbados Day,” he said.

After hearing that the observance is part of the Independence celebrations for the next 90 days, Prescod said the idea was “Ok”, but he did not plan to take part often.

“It’s Independence Day, but spread over 90 days,” he said. “I mean I like Independence Day, and I would put on [something] for Independence Day, but I don’t really do much else for that day. 

“So to then go to Barbados Day… it’s not something I’ll probably take part in, to be honest.” 

For Prescod, being Barbadian shows up in everyday experiences, including food, home, and the realities of life on the island.

“I am really a young adult, so I don’t have the cultural background of the older generation,” he said. “But for me, being a Barbadian and just the simple things, the food, the location where you live, avoiding a lot of hurricanes, having access to some stuff while not having access to other things, and having to multiply your dollars by two when you’re paying in US. 

“That’s basically what being a Barbadian is to me for now, but may change when I… reach like a more mature age like 40.” 

A resident who only gave his name as Richard said he read about Barbados Day and supported the idea.

“It’s just a normal day for me,” he said. “I just read about it a little bit.”

When asked whether he would continue wearing national colours on Fridays, Richard responded, “Yes, please.”

He also summed up what being Barbadian meant to him in one word.

“A blessing,” he said.

Rachel Power was another person who had not heard about Barbados Day before Friday.

“No idea. Never heard of it,” she said. “Had no clue about it.”

But after learning about it, Power said she would be willing to participate.

“Of course,” she said. “I love our food. I love everything about Barbados. So yes, if I had known that, I would be out big and bold in my blue and yellow too.”

For Power, being Barbadian is about feeling connected to the people and community.

“Being Bajan is just having a sincere love of my people, of my home,” she said. “The sea, the biggest thing for me is the community spirit, where everybody knows everybody.”

Power said that community spirit remains something worth cherishing, despite challenges in some communities.

“I still think even though we have quite a bit of violence and so on… there is still in certain communities, at least I can speak to mine, where people look out for one another,” she said.

“And that is something… I’ve lived overseas already, and I can tell you it is something to cherish, having a community that will pull together when needs be.”  

Upcoming events include the national clean-up and beautification campaign, Leh We Paint Barbados, the My Voice My Barbados oration competition, a lecture series and a national concert.

Traditional Independence activities will continue, including NIFCA, the City lighting ceremony, Spirit of the Nation, the Food and Rum Festival, the National Parade and Ecumenical Service.

The celebrations will end with the Prime Minister’s Cup football competition.

(LE)