Barbados’s story is a tapestry woven with tales of resilience, triumph, and cultural richness. From its indigenous Amerindian roots to the arrival of European settlers in the 16th century, including the English and Portuguese, the island’s history is marked by periods of colonization and struggle. Barbados became a British colony in the 17th century and played a pivotal role in the transatlantic slave trade. Despite this dark chapter, the island’s people emerged with a spirit of endurance and a vibrant cultural identity. Today, remnants of its colonial past stand alongside vibrant local traditions, creating a unique blend of old-world charm and Caribbean vibrancy.
Barbados boasts a rich musical heritage with styles such as Soca, Calypso, jazz, spouge, reggae, and dancehall, reflecting the island’s colonial history and Afro-based beats. Music Styles and Cultural Significance Soca and Calypso: – Crucial to the Crop Over festival, these genres mix classical and Afro-based rhythms. – Soca: Fast-paced, energetic party music...
Read MoreBarbados boasts a rich natural heritage with diverse coastal features including beaches, coral reefs, cliffs, and caves. The island’s relatively flat terrain and few rivers distinguish it from its mountainous Caribbean neighbors. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including the endangered green turtles. Visitors can explore the island through walking tours, cycling,...
Read MoreThe marine environment plays a crucial economic role for small islands like Barbados, although this is not always reflected in GDP. Despite low seafood exports, fishing is vital for local food security, especially in seaside communities such as Oistins, Six Men’s, and Skeete’s Bay. These communities have long relied on fishing for sustenance...
Read MoreSIZE & LOCATION Barbados is the easternmost Caribbean island located at 13˚ North; 59˚ West. 166.4 m2 and is divided into 11 parishes; four of which consist of four of the four towns on the island; Speightstown, Holetown, Oistins and the Capital Bridgetown. CLIMATE With over 3000 hours of sunshine yearly, the weather is...
Read MoreThe unique cultural and historical significance of rum shops in Barbados, the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles; these establishments, which combine a grocery store with a bar, are integral to the island’s social fabric and can be found in abundance across its eleven parishes. Originating from the 17th century tippling houses introduced by...
Read MoreHarrison’s Cave, located in the parish of St. Thomas in Barbados, is a natural wonder and a popular tourist attraction. Named after Thomas Harrison, who owned the land in the 1700s, the cave remained mostly unexplored until the 1970s. It was mapped out in 1974 and opened to the public in 1981. Recently renovated,...
Read MoreBussa, an enslaved African ranger at the Bayley plantation in Barbados, led a rebellion in an attempt to change society and gain freedom from plantation owners. Planning with others from different estates, including Jackey, King Wiltshire, and Nanny Grigg, Bussa commanded around 400 men and women against British troops, including the West India Regiment....
Read MoreThe area between Ragged Point and the Airport in Barbados is characterized by flat coral rock with little soil covering, known as the East Point Shelf. This land was once underwater, evidenced by coral fossils embedded in rocks. One notable feature is a large boulder resting on the flat coral base near the cliff...
Read MoreBarbados, an island in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean, has a rich history dating back to around 1600 BC when humans first settled there. ItVarious European powers claimed itefore becoming an English/British colony. The introduction of sugar cane in the 17th century led to a significant transformation of the island’s society and economy,...
Read MoreThis is our story – a whirlwind introduction to our island. Giving you a flavour of who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. Read More>
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