Bussa, Leader With Heart

In the history of Barbados there may not have been a more dominant voice of freedom then the Barbados captive (formerly of Africa) Bussa. Bussa was captured and brought to the island of Barbados by force where he was enslaved in the 18th century on the Barleys plantation. Bussa was the leader of one of the first slave revolts of Barbados in years. He literally fought for the slaves as leader of the revolt back in 1816. The revolt pitted imprisoned slaves against the bigots and plantation owners of Barbados. Bussa’s drive, fight and determination lead him to derive a great plan for freedom. Bussa's great involvement in the harsh defiance of authority led the Barbados revolt, later to be known as Bussa's Rebellion.

Perhaps a man of mystery in Barbados lore, as not much surrounds his past, besides his leadership in the revolt. He was known to be a precise leader on the plantation and in a strange way kept the other slaves motivated, it is apparent that his leadership led to the revolt and him at the forefront. The uprising took estate owners by surprise. The slaves were ready and wanted their freedom on this day and for years to come. This was not meant to be a fly by night operation, but a monumental change.

Bussa and an estimated four hundred slaves battled relentlessly for their respective freedom, but failed. Bussa himself was killed in battle, as well as many of his “Freedom Fighters”. The slaves were out manned and out powered, especially where weapons were concerned. The slaves simply could not match the firepower of those from the estates. Rumor has it that the fighters went down shouting their leaders name, no doubt knowing what his significance was to be for the future of Barbados.

In the history of Barbados there may not have been a more dominant voice of freedom then the Barbados captive (formerly of Africa) Bussa. Bussa was captured and brought to the island of Barbados by force where he was enslaved in the 18th century on the Barleys plantation. Bussa was the leader of one of the first slave revolts of Barbados in years. He literally fought for the slaves as leader of the revolt back in 1816. The revolt pitted imprisoned slaves against the bigots and plantation owners of Barbados. Bussa's drive, fight and determination lead him to derive a great plan for freedom. Bussa's great involvement in the harsh defiance of authority led the Barbados revolt, later to be known as Bussa's Rebellion.

Perhaps a man of mystery in Barbados lore, as not much surrounds his past, besides his leadership in the revolt. He was known to be a precise leader on the plantation and in a strange way kept the other slaves motivated, it is apparent that his leadership led to the revolt and him at the forefront. The uprising took estate owners by surprise. The slaves were ready and wanted their freedom on this day and for years to come. This was not meant to be a fly by night operation, but a monumental change.

Bussa and an estimated four hundred slaves battled relentlessly for their respective freedom, but failed. Bussa himself was killed in battle, as well as many of his "Freedom Fighters". The slaves were out manned and out powered, especially where weapons were concerned. The slaves simply could not match the firepower of those from the estates. Rumor has it that the fighters went down shouting their leaders name, no doubt knowing what his significance was to be for the future of Barbados.

Although Bussa derived a great plan, he was not alone. Washinton Franklin and Nanny Grigg assisted Bussa. Washington was a mulatto who has been credited with the plan to surprise the estate owners. Grigg was an elder slave and fought for reform. The people of Barbados are still grateful today. A local sculptor in the late 80's constructed a large statue of Bussa, which was erected in his honor, thus keeping his memory alive. Thousands of marchers took to the streets and sang a folk song known to those in Barbados, in his honor.

The lyrics to the folk song can be seen on the side of the statue and read as follows:

"De Ting Come From England
To Set We Free now Lick
and Lock-Up Done Wid
Hurrah Fuh Jin-Jin..."

It is clear that Bussa was a man who commanded great respect, but never asked for it. It may have been his natural leadership that led him to gain the respect of the people of Barbados. Unlike other activist or leaders Bussa did not just talk about what needed to be done, he literally went out and fought for it. That is why a man so little is known about, still lives on today on the island of Barbados.