AJA’s apology

AS a descendant of Robert Downes, one of the founders of Rock Hall, Adisa ‘AJA’ Andwele is publicly apologising.

He is sorry for the actions of the enslaved at Mount Wilton Plantation, who acted against the 1816 Bussa Rebellion, and were given money for doing so, and used it to purchase land to create the first free black village in Barbados at Rock Hall, St. Thomas.

“History shows that the enslaved at Mount Wilton Plantation, during the 1816 rebellion, did not participate in the rebellion, and in fact, they also sort of ‘blocked the way’ for the enslaved from the North who were coming to join in that rebellion… Years afterwards, the owner of Mount Wilton Plantation, as a gift to his enslaved for not participating in the rebellion, gave them money.

“The enslaved at Mount Wilton did not participate in the rebellion to get money to buy land. For whatever reason they did not participate, maybe they were threatened, like most of the slaves were... But, some of them took the money and came down to Rock Hall and purchased land, creating the first free village in Barbados. Two of those persons who would have done so, would have been my great, great, great-grandmother and grandfather – Hagar Jane and Robert Downes,” he revealed.

AJA shared this during a recent press briefing and site visit for the Bussa Lives concert, which takes place on Saturday, April 15, at the Freedom Monument, Rock Hall Freedom Village, St. Thomas, at 7 p.m.

This free family event, which is part of AJA’s apology, is being held by AJA Productions in association with the Commission for Pan African Affairs Barbados, featuring AJA & the ReEmergence Band, and performances by Riddim Tribe, Dancin’ Africa, the Israel Lovell Foundation, and the Haynesville Drummers.

Already, AJA has released an apology in the form of a poem, “De apology – Bussa I’m Sorry”, which refers to the fact that despite the reasons why or how Rock Hall Freedom Village came into being, its purpose should not be diminished.

“On Saturday will be more than a performance. It is about the healing process, transforming the monument into a symbol of consciousness, of Barbadians becoming conscious and aware of their history and talking about it,” he expressed.

Dr. Deryck Murray, Director of the Commission for Pan African Affairs, said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth considers the ‘Bussa Lives concert’ to be a tremendous effort by AJA. He noted that it falls within the season of Emancipation, which starts on April 14 until August 23.

“We consider the work that AJA has put into this apology to be extremely significant. You may be aware that every time the black community seeks to do something about our own self-healing, our own emancipation, there are always voices that are eager to point out the historical divisions that we as a people have amongst ourselves.

“There has been some discussion about the betrayal of the Bussa rebellion by the people who formed the first freedom village, and that is a historical division that we need to heal. So, it is extremely important and courageous for AJA to take on this project, where we are seeking to first have unity and heal ourselves while we take on the other emancipatory projects,” Dr. Murray pointed out.

Parking for the concert will be available at St. Thomas Parish Church yard, with a shuttle service in effect. (TL)