| In the history of Barbados there may not have been | | | | concerned. The slaves simply could not match the |
| a more dominant voice of freedom then the | | | | firepower of those from the estates. Rumor has it |
| Barbados captive (formerly of Africa) Bussa. Bussa | | | | that the fighters went down shouting their leaders |
| was captured and brought to the island of Barbados | | | | name, no doubt knowing what his significance was to |
| by force where he was enslaved in the 18th century | | | | be for the future of Barbados. |
| on the Barleys plantation. Bussa was the leader of | | | | Although Bussa derived a great plan, he was not |
| one of the first slave revolts of Barbados in years. | | | | alone. Washinton Franklin and Nanny Grigg assisted |
| He literally fought for the slaves as leader of the | | | | Bussa. Washington was a mulatto who has been |
| revolt back in 1816. The revolt pitted imprisoned | | | | credited with the plan to surprise the estate owners. |
| slaves against the bigots and plantation owners of | | | | Grigg was an elder slave and fought for reform. The |
| Barbados. Bussa's drive, fight and determination lead | | | | people of Barbados are still grateful today. A local |
| him to derive a great plan for freedom. Bussa's great | | | | sculptor in the late 80's constructed a large statue of |
| involvement in the harsh defiance of authority led the | | | | Bussa, which was erected in his honor, thus keeping |
| Barbados revolt, later to be known as Bussa's | | | | his memory alive. Thousands of marchers took to |
| Rebellion. | | | | the streets and sang a folk song known to those in |
| Perhaps a man of mystery in Barbados lore, as not | | | | Barbados, in his honor. |
| much surrounds his past, besides his leadership in the | | | | The lyrics to the folk song can be seen on the side |
| revolt. He was known to be a precise leader on the | | | | of the statue and read as follows: |
| plantation and in a strange way kept the other slaves | | | | "De Ting Come From England |
| motivated, it is apparent that his leadership led to the | | | | To Set We Free now Lick and Lock-Up Done Wid |
| revolt and him at the forefront. The uprising took | | | | Hurrah Fuh Jin-Jin..." |
| estate owners by surprise. The slaves were ready | | | | It is clear that Bussa was a man who commanded |
| and wanted their freedom on this day and for years | | | | great respect, but never asked for it. It may have |
| to come. This was not meant to be a fly by night | | | | been his natural leadership that led him to gain the |
| operation, but a monumental change. | | | | respect of the people of Barbados. Unlike other |
| Bussa and an estimated four hundred slaves battled | | | | activist or leaders Bussa did not just talk about what |
| relentlessly for their respective freedom, but failed. | | | | needed to be done, he literally went out and fought |
| Bussa himself was killed in battle, as well as many of | | | | for it. That is why a man so little is known about, still |
| his "Freedom Fighters". The slaves were out manned | | | | lives on today on the island of Barbados. |
| and out powered, especially where weapons were | | | | |