The Emancipation Statue seen here is the work of Barbados' best
known sculptor Karl Broodhagen and symbolises the breaking of the chains of
slavery at Emancipation.
The Emancipation Statue seen here is the work of Barbados' best
known sculptor Karl Broodhagen and symbolises the breaking of the chains of
slavery at Emancipation.
Slavery, abolished in 1834,
was followed by a 4-year apprenticeship period where free men continued to work
a 45-hour week without pay in exchange for living in the tiny huts provided
by the plantation owners.
Freedom from slavery was
celebrated in 1838 at the end of the apprentice period with over 70,000 Barbadians
of African descent taking to the streets with the Barbados folk song:
"Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin (Queen Victoria).
De Queen come from England to set we free
Now Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin "
Many Barbadians refer to the statue as Bussa, the name of a slave who helped inspire a revolt against slavery in Barbados in 1816.
Related links:
Take an island tour to discover other places
of interest.
Find out more about Barbados' history.
