Beautiful Barbados

Barbados Emancipation Day Date: August 4, 2009

Emancipation Day is a public holiday in Barbados.

In Barbados, emancipation day is celebrated every year on August 4. This event marks the abolition of the inhuman tradition of slavery. A slave named Bussa led the slave revolt of the island. He is still regarded as a national hero. In honor of him, a statue of him stands on the Emancipation Roundabout in Hagget Hall, St Michael. This day is celebrated all over the island, particularly at the Bussa roundabout. On this spot a grand function is organized every year to commemorate the abolition of slavery. The celebrations include parades, educational displays, speeches and performances.

In the Bahamas, Emancipation Day is more commonly referred to as August Monday because it is celebrated on the first Monday of August. Mostly the celebrations take place at Fox Hill village, Nassau. It is a former slave village. According to folklore, the inhabitants of this village got to know about their freedom a week after others on the island.

History of Barbados Emancipation Day

Now, we come to the history of this event. Bussa is also known as Busso or Bussoe. Not much is known about his date of birth but it is known that he was born in Africa and was brought to Barbados to work as a slave. He worked as a slave at Bayleys Plantation in the southern parish of St Philip. Even today, the plantation’s “Great House” stands and is now home to the famous musician Eddy Grant. He uses the house as his residence as wall as recording studio.

Bussa worked as a domestic slave on the plantation. Domestic slaves did not have to experience the hardships of field slaves. So, domestic slaves thought themselves above the field slaves. They revealed to their masters the plans of slave rebellions to gain favor. Bussa had a privileged position but he helped to plan in advance. Plans of rebellion started after the House of Assembly rejected the Imperial Registry Bill in November 1815. The slave rebellion was a result of the strong desire to uproot the oppressive white aristocracy, and to claim their rightful freedom. On the night of Good Friday, April 12, 1816, the rebellion was given the final touch and a mulatto slave, Washington Franklyn, was declared the governor of the island.

Two days later, Bussa led around 400 slaves and set on fire several cane fields. The revolt spread from Bayleys Plantation in St Philip to Christ Church, St George, St Thomas, and St Lucy. The white plantation owners had a tremendous blow. It took about four days for the authorities to curb the revolt and to regain control. Bussa was killed in the battle, and the ringleaders were executed. It is true that the rebellion was a failure but it was successful in leaving its mark. More than a century later, the Emancipation Statue was erected at the roundabout in Hagget Hall, St Michael. In 1999, Bussa was declared one of the national heroes of Barbados.

Barbados Emancipation Day Traditions and Activities

On this gala day (August 4), grand celebrations happen at the island of Barbados. This includes Emancipation Day Walk, Village and Beach Fest. The crowd walks from Independence Square to Bay Street Esplanade early in the morning. There is a Rhythm Section. After that, various renowned artists organize a cultural rally with performances by them. Delicious African cuisine can be tried and one can opt for some serious shopping too

From http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/barbados-emancipation-day/

Barbados Kadooment Day Date: August 3, 2009

Kadooment Day is a public holiday in Barbados.

Kadooment Day is a crop over day and the people of Barbados celebrate this day with great vigor and joy. It is a day when the people or the Bajans (as they are more properly known), undertake a total cut of their grown crop. Thus, this day, as according to their culture, is of importance and should be celebrated on a massive scale. Thus, the people of Barbados have a cultural as well as emotional attachment to the celebration of the Kadooment Day. Furthermore, the people celebrate this day with sheer enthusiasm and madness. They dance in the streets and sing their traditional folk songs.

Barbados Kadooment Day History

The celebration of Kadooment Day in Barbados has an ancient history. Masquerading was an old African tradition in which the people of the province used to roam all over the village in their traditional attire made of natural materials such as feathers, bones and grasses. They used to give the firstly grown crops to the Gods in the hope that “They will be happy and provide good luck”. Again, they also hoped that the evil spirits will be removed from the villages. Since those days, the celebration of modern Kadooment Day is observed.

Barbados Kadooment Day Traditions and Activities

The Grand Kadooment Day is also a major event in other parts of the African Continents. The countries also celebrate the carnival with the same enthusiasm. The honorable President of the respective countries is also invited as the chief guests at the carnivals. However, the security of the carnivals is maintained low, as it is thought that there is a marked low evil spirit in the area. Thus, in order to celebrate that thought, this step is taken. The Kaddoment Day celebrations attracts participants from various countries and the aura of this event makes everyone a part of the event.

There are strict laws governing the celebration of Kadooment Day. According to that, the people involved in celebration have to be registered in the costume band to intrude into registered revelers. A person found not undertaking such act can be charged a amount of BDS $15,000 or a two years imprisonment or in some cases both. People have great enthusiasm to celebrate this event and have been known to celebrate this event for two straight day’s non-stop. The crops are then sold out in the market or taken up by the families themselves. The festival is considered as a carnival in some cases. People, who are not registered as the carnival band, can view the spectacular event along the route, through which the carnivals passes by.

From http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/barbados-kadooment-day/