Barbudans

Barbudans
	Flag of Barbuda
Regions with significant populations
	Barbuda, Leicester, Eastern United States
Barbuda	<1,632
Languages
	Barbudan Creole, English
Religion
	Christianity (primarily Protestantism)
Related ethnic groups
	Coromantee, Fante

Last updated January 02, 2025

The Barbudans are an ethnic group native to the island of Barbuda in the eastern Caribbean, primarily of Fante and other Coromantee ancestry. The Barbudans speak Barbudan Creole and the Barbudan dialect of English. The Barbudans make up the majority of the African descendant population in Barbuda, and are also located in various other English-speaking developed countries.

History and origins

The Barbudan people originate from the coasts of Ghana, west of the city of Accra. The Barbudans had been shipped from the port of Cormantin, part of the Fante people inland from the port. Upon arrival in Barbuda, these slaves established a community in the island. The population grew naturally, with only eight new slaves arriving after the initial shipment. During slavery, the Barbudans enjoyed relatively good conditions according to Michael Wood. Except for a brief period in the 1780s, families were rarely broken apart, and were never involved in sugar production due to the island's dry climate. The slaves were also granted provision grounds of about 2–10 acres each. Because of this, the Barbudans had high life expectancies and were stronger and healthier than most other islanders in the region. After emancipation in 1834, the Barbudans worked as waged laborers for the Codringtons until the 1870s.^[1] Some Barbudans later moved to Leicester in the United Kingdom, while others followed the general Antiguan and Barbudan immigration patterns, moving to Canada and the United States. The amount of Barbudans living abroad is significantly larger than those living on-island,^[2] with the population of Barbuda in 2011 being only 1,634.^[3] In addition to predominant African ancestry, the Barbudans also have a small amount of indigenous admixture.^[4]

Barbudan families

All Barbudans are descended from several families, being the origins of the majority of surnames on the island.^[1] Most surnames were decided by the slaves themselves or assigned to them by the island's overseers. For much of the island's history, there would only be a few white people on the island at a time.^[2]

Culture

The traditional occupations of the Barbudans are hunting and fishing.^[5]^[6] Many Barbudans are also engaged in horse-racing.^[7] Barbuda has a large population of European fallow deer, and thus the consumption of deer meat is common on the island. Shellfish, mostly lobster, crab, and conch is also eaten, along with barracuda, dolphin, lamb, goat, and beef.^[8]^[2]

Land

After the end of Codrington rule in the 1800s, Barbudans deem the island to be part of their inheritance.^[1] For hundreds of years, the Barbudans have maintained a system of communal land ownership, with this being recognised in 2007 by the Barbuda Land Act.^[9] The act states that anyone with a Barbudan parent or grandparent, regardless of citizenship or residence, may be granted right of occupancy to a portion of Barbuda's land free of charge.^[10]

Related Research Articles

Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign archipelagic country in the Caribbean. It lies at the conjuncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles.

The history of Antigua and Barbuda covers the period from the arrival of the Archaic peoples thousands of years ago to the present day. Prior to European colonization, the lands encompassing present-day Antigua and Barbuda were inhabited by three successive Amerindian societies. The island was claimed by England, who settled the islands in 1632. Under English/British control, the islands witnessed an influx of both Britons and African slaves migrate to the island. In 1981, the islands were granted independence as the modern state of Antigua and Barbuda.

Barbuda is an island and dependency located in the eastern Caribbean forming part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda as an autonomous entity. Barbuda is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Antigua. The only settlements on the island are Codrington and its surrounding localities. Barbuda is a flat island with the western portion being dominated by Codrington Lagoon, and the eastern portion being dominated by the elevated plateau of the Barbuda Highlands, with salty ponds and scrubland spread throughout the island. The climate is classified as tropical marine.

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The music of Antigua and Barbuda is largely African in character, and has only felt a limited influence from European styles due to the population of Antigua and Barbuda descending mostly from West Africans who were made slaves by Europeans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antigua</span> Island in Antigua and Barbuda

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Antiguan and Barbudan Creole is an English-based creole language consisting of several varieties spoken in the Leeward Islands, namely the countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the British territories of Anguilla and Montserrat.

Codrington is the only village on the island of Barbuda, which is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Codrington coincides with the Codrington major division, one of the two major divisions on Barbuda. Situated on the Codrington Lagoon, Codrington is the country's northernmost settlement. The population of Codrington was 796 in 2011.

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Antiguan and Barbudan English (ABE) or Antiguan and Barbudan Standard English is a dialect of English used in Antigua and Barbuda. ABE co-exists with Antiguan and Barbudan Creole.

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This article covers the history of Antigua and Barbuda from emancipation in 1833 until the British Leeward Islands were federalized in the early 1870s. During this era, the economy was significantly reformed, and many Afro-Antiguan villages were established. Antigua was often formally called the Colony of Antigua during this period. This is also when Barbuda began to merge with Antigua, and the communal land system was established.

This is a timeline of Antiguan and Barbudan history, consisting of various important political and historical events. To read about the background to these events, see the History of Antigua and Barbuda.

Discrimination in Antigua and Barbuda refers to all forms and expressions of actions that restrict social participation or deny human rights to specific groups of people in Antiguan and Barbudan society or institutions. Antigua and Barbuda struggles severely with ethnic and gender discrimination, with common issues including the gender pay gap, ethnic discrimination, and discrimination against immigrants.

The Barbudan independence movement is a political movement that seeks the independence of Barbuda from Antigua. Proponents state that Barbudan independence would allow Barbudans to exercise their right to self-determination, especially after the start of the Barbuda land crisis, while opponents state that this movement would set a precedent for other small islands in the region to secede, and would deprive Antigua of critical resources.

The history of Antigua and Barbuda since 2014 began with the election of Gaston Browne as prime minister. Since then, the Barbudan independence movement has resurged and the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party has cemented control over the country. Relations between the two islands have largely deteriorated.

References

1 2 3 Wood, Michael (2000). In search of England: journeys into the English past. Internet Archive. London : Penguin. pp. 292–298. ISBN 978-0-14-024733-6.
1 2 3 Wood, Michael (2000). In search of England: journeys into the English past. Internet Archive. London : Penguin. pp. 300–305. ISBN 978-0-14-024733-6.
↑ "Ethnic" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
↑ "A tight-knit island nation hopes to rebuild while preserving 'the Barbudan way'". History. 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
↑ "The Blue Economy Context in Antigua and Barbuda". Commonwealth. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
↑ "Barbuda is a wildlife paradise". Barbudaful. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
↑ "Horse racing". Barbudaful. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
↑ "Eat & Drink". Barbudaful. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
↑ "Barbuda's Communal Land Ownership". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
↑ "The Barbuda Land Act, 2007" (PDF).

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[:0-1] 1 2 3 Wood, Michael (2000). In search of England: journeys into the English past. Internet Archive. London : Penguin. pp. 292–298. ISBN 978-0-14-024733-6.

[:1-2] 1 2 3 Wood, Michael (2000). In search of England: journeys into the English past. Internet Archive. London : Penguin. pp. 300–305. ISBN 978-0-14-024733-6.

[:12-3] "Ethnic" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.

[4] "A tight-knit island nation hopes to rebuild while preserving 'the Barbudan way'". History. 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2024-12-28.

[5] "The Blue Economy Context in Antigua and Barbuda". Commonwealth. Retrieved 2024-12-28.

[6] "Barbuda is a wildlife paradise". Barbudaful. Retrieved 2024-12-28.

[7] "Horse racing". Barbudaful. Retrieved 2024-12-28.

[8] "Eat & Drink". Barbudaful. Retrieved 2024-12-28.

[9] "Barbuda's Communal Land Ownership". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved 2024-12-28.

[10] "The Barbuda Land Act, 2007" (PDF).

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