Overview:

The Bussa Statue is a monument located in Bridgetown, Barbados on the Bay Street Esplanade which pays tribute to a famous African-Bajan freedom fighter, Bussa. Created in 1985 by the sculptor Karl Broodhagen, the bust is positioned in the middle of Bay Street, commanding pride of place in the capital. It ensures that the story of Bussa, as a man who led the 1816 rebellion against slavery on the island, is never forgotten in Barbadian history. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Barbados
Prominent Features:

The Bussa Statue, located in Bridgetown, is a prominent feature of the city and is considered to be one of the most important historical statues in Barbados. The statue was designed and created by Barbadian sculptor Karl Broodhagen as a tribute to Bussa, one of the most symbolic figures in Barbados' culture and history. He was an enslaved African who played a significant role in the island's Slave Rebellion of 1816. The statue symbolizes freedom, and stands as a reminder of the struggles of freedom fighters and independence fighters who emerged from slavery during the colonial era. It stands 8 feet tall, and features Bussa with a raised arm holding a machete and a broken chain emblematically symbolizing his defiance against slavery and fight for freedom. The statue provides a striking visual, and locals and visitors alike often flock to take photos with the statue and pay tribute to the history of the island behind it. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Barbados.

History:

The Bussa statue in Bridgetown, Barbados was erected in April 1985 by the Barbados Ministry of Education to commemorate the rebellion led by Bussa (known as the Bussa Rebellion) in 1816, which was a major event in the fight for the emancipation of enslaved Africans in Barbados. The statue depicts Bussa riding a horse and stands at the junction of the Spring Garden highway and Errol Barrow Avenue. The Bussa Rebellion began on April 14, 1816, when Bussa and his followers – some of them former enslaved Africans - rose up against the slave-owning colonial rulers of the island. During this uprising, the rebels were unable to overthrow the government, but their actions garnered much attention and increased pressure for the emancipation of enslaved Africans in Barbados. As a result of the rebellion, the British Parliament abolished slavery in the British West Indies in 1834. The Bussa Statue is an important symbol of the fight for freedom in Barbados, and a reminder of the bravery of those who stood up against the brutal enslavement of Africans during colonialism. It serves to honor Bussa’s legacy and the struggle for universal rights and freedom in the Caribbean. Visit one of the famous monuments of Barbados with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Bussa Statue is erected in honour of a slave revolt leader named Bussa. 2. The sculpture was designed and crafted by local artist Karl Broodhagen. 3. The Bussa Statue stands at 8 feet tall and can be found near the clock at the eastern entrance of Bridgetown in Barbados. 4. Prior to the statue's installation in 2015, a bust of Bussa had been installed at the same spot in 1984. 5. The Bussa statue depicts a defiant Bussa on horseback, holding a shield and spear. 6. Bussa was a slave who led what is believed to be the country’s first emancipated slave rebellion in 1816. 7. The battle that ensued between Bussa and British forces resulted in numerous fatalities and eventually forced the British government to implement more fair working and living conditions for slaves in Barbados. 8. The popular legend of Bussa is remembered today through the Bussa Statue and an annual national holiday known as Bussa's Day of Emancipation. One of the historical monuments of Barbados, it tells the story of a bygone era