Emancipation Statue (Bridgetown, Barbados)

Emancipation Statue (Bridgetown, Barbados)

Subject (Topic)
Barbados--Bridgetown
Enslaved persons--Emancipation--Barbados
Freedom
Public art
Public sculpture
Resistance
Slave insurrections--Barbados
Slavery--Bardados
Slavery--England
Transatlantic slave trade

Subject (Name)
Bussa (dates unknown)

Subject (Object Type)
Commemorative sculpture

The monumental bronze statue depicts a semi-nude figure, dressed only in shorts. He raises his arms in a triumphant gesture, which accentuates the broken chains around his wrists. The identity of the figure is thought to be the leader of the April 1816 slave revolt, General Bussa. Although ultimately unsuccessful, it was the largest revolt in Barbadian history, General Bussa commanded nearly 400 freedom fighters.

Broodhagen, Karl, 1909–2002

Photograph: Daniel Berek, Flickr

March 28, 1985

Government of Barbados

Division of Culture, Prime Minister's Office, Turners Hall, Saint Andrew, Barbados

JPEG

English

Visual Arts-Sculpture

J. T. C. Ramsey Roundabout, ABC Highway and Highway 5, Bridgetown, Barbados

Inscription on front of monument,an excerpt from the Abolition Act of 1833:
...Be therefore enacted…that from and after the first day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four all persons who in conformity with the laws now in forces in the said colonies respectively shall on or before (August 1, 1834) have been duly registered as slaves in and such colony and who on (August 1, 1834) shall be actually within any such colony and who shall by such registries appear to be (August 1, 1834) of the full age of six years and upwards shall by force and virtue of this act...become and be apprenticed laborers...' The Abolition Slavery Act (1883)

This statue was erected by the government and people of Barbados to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of Barbadians from the institution of slavery

This statue was unveiled by the Prime Minster The Hon. H. B. St. John O. C. M. P. on 28 March 1984

Inscription on side of monument:
"De Ting Come from England
To Set We Free Now Lick
And Lock-Up Done Wid
Hurrah Fuh Jin-Jin. . ."
Barbados Folk Song

Bronze

Renée Ater

Sculpture