Barbados is the eastern-most Caribbean island. The island, which is less than one million years old,  was created by the collision of the Atlantic crustal and Caribbean plates, along with a volcanic eruption. Later, coral formed, rising to approximately 300 feet. It is geologically unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years.

 

The first indigenous people were Amerindians who arrived here from Venezuela. Paddling long dugout canoes, they crossed oceans and currents that challenge modern sailing vessels. Also landing on the island in these early years were the Arawaks, a  short, olive-skinned people.  In 1200, the Arawaks were conquered by the Caribs, a taller and stronger Amerindian tribe.  Next were the Portuguese who came to Barbados en route to Brazil, and in the process giving the island the name, “Los Barbados” (“the bearded one”) due to the fig trees they encountered having a beard-like appearance. On May 14,  1625, the island was claimed on behalf of King James I when the first English ship touched the island under the command of Captain John Powell. In 1639, the English colonists established a House of Assembly, the third such parliamentary democracy in the world.

 

Within a few years, much of the island had been deforested to make way for tobacco and cotton plantations and sugar cane was introduced as a commercial crop. To meet the labour demands, servants were also derived from kidnapping, and convicted criminals, primarily of Scottish and Irish descent, were shipped to Barbados. Descendants of the white slaves and indentured labourers were referred to as “Redlegs”, and lived amongst the black population in various east coast settlements and caves.  Many people were drawn to Barbados because of the climate and slow pace of life. Even Major George Washington, who would later become the first U.S. President, visited the island in 1751 with his tuberculosis-stricken half-brother in the hope of ameliorating his illness.

 

Slavery was abolished in 1834 and replaced by a four-year apprenticeship period during which free men continued to work a 45-hour week without pay in exchange for living in the tiny huts provided by the plantation owners. Many of the new citizens benefitted from the education that was now available to them.  At the end of the apprenticeship period in 1838, freedom from slavery was celebrated with over 70,000 jubilant Barbadians of African descent taking to the streets.

 

The Island gained full independence in 1966, and the first to lead Barbados as a free nation was the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, of the Democratic Labour Party.  Barbados marked the 55th anniversary of its independence from the United Kingdom when it officially became a parliamentary republic on November 30, 2021, eliminating Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. 

 

The prime minister of Barbados is The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, who was first elected to office on May 25, 2018 and is presently serving her third term.  She was the nation’s first female prime minister. The current President is His Excellency, Lieutenant Colonel, The Most Honourable, Jeffrey Bostic F.B., M.V.O.