The first inhabitants of Barbados were Amerindians of the Arawak tribe. They were displaced by the Carib Indians who abandoned it some time after and it remained uninhabited until 1625.

Barbados was subsequently discovered by the Portuguese explorer, Pedro a Campos in 1536 whilst on his way to Brazil and he named it Los Barbados ‘bearded one’ because he thought the long tendril-like roots of the fig trees had a resemblance to a man’s beard. He passed and did not land.

It was not until 1625 that a Captain John Powel landed on the uninhabited island and claimed it for the British Empire in whose hands it remained, until it was given full independence in 1966. In 1627 his brother arrived with eighty people and ten slaves with the initial intention of growing cotton and tobacco for the empire. Whilst in Europe, the demand for sugar was growing. In 1640 sugar was the crop which yielded the greatest profits and so production was switched to fulfil the new and more profitable market.

In an effort to meet their production targets more manpower was needed to fill the labour gap. African slaves were brought in by the thousands to work in the cane fields, produce the sugar and make the rum. The descendants of these slaves now form the majority population on the island.

After the end of the 2nd world war the sugar industry began to decline so the government turned its attention to the development of their tourism industry which is now a major employer and main stay of the island’s economy, with an estimated 500,000 visitors each year. Second to the tourism industry is the production of sugar, rum and molasses. Mount Gay rum has been produced and exported for over three hundred years and today it still remains an essential part of the island’s economy.

The Barbadian dollar is fixed against the American dollar at the current exchange rate of $1USD to $1.98 Barbadian dollars. However, the American currency is accepted everywhere on the island as legal tender.

Barbados is the most eastwardly of the Caribbean islands, with approximately 70 miles of white powdery sandy beach and numerous little secluded coves dotted along its coast line. It is a democracy with a dual identity, African and English.

Africa is reflected on the faces of the majority population, together with the music, food and folklores. Whilst their Englishness is reflected in its architecture, language, statues of British heroes, the Anglican religion and the way in which they conduct their daily lives in general, to the extent that it is often referred to as little England.

Barbados is 14 x 21 miles with a population of 265,000. The island is divided into eleven different parishes most of which are named after English saints. Bridgetown, the capital is in the parish of St Michael situated at the south-western end of the island, on Carlisle bay. The bay is around a sea inlet which forms a natural harbour, lined with catamarans, fishing boats and yachts. In independence square stands the original Nelsons column, a larger replica of which also hold centre stage in Trafalgar Square in the heart of London, England.

They are a prosperous nation and the island has good infrastructure, a welfare system and a National Health Service. The schools are of high educational standards from primary through to secondary education, with the opportunity for the more able student to attend university.

Most people live in houses that are generally built to international standards. However, there are many so called Chattel houses, which are virtual relics from the past, still owned and occupied by many working class people. Chattel houses are peculiar wooden houses held together by nails, built on blocks without solid grounding. The lands, upon which these structures are built, are often rented and in the event of a tenant/landlord dispute the house can easily be removed and placed elsewhere.

The national dish is flying fish, it is usually seasoned and cooked with onions, tomatoes, thyme, chives, garlic and spicy peppers then fried and stewed with okra and callolloo (a spinach like vegetable), cooked in a way that is not far removed for the original African recipe and served with Cou Cou (made from grounded maize) or boiled rice and served with any, or a combination of what is commonly known as ground provisions such as yams, sweet potatoes, plantains, green bananas and breadfruit.

The national flower is called ‘The pride of Barbados’, Latin name, Caesalpina pulcherrina which grows all year round in glorious colours of red, yellow and orange.

Like all Caribbean people they love their music. Calypso, Soca, Reggae, and Jazz. A two weeks jazz festival is held annually which is well patronised by the international jazz loving community. Like all the other islands they also hold their yearly carnival which they call Crop-over because it is usually held after all the crops have been harvested. This is where the streets come alive with no holes barred, music, dancing singing, brightly coloured costumes, sideshows, the Crop-over queen contest, revellers, it just party time.

The people of Barbados like to called Bajans, and have a reputation of being very friendly people, always ready for a chat about anything. The most common topics however are sports, mainly cricket with football a close second, also widely discussed are, current affairs or the latest political goings-on, they seem to always have the time to stop and pass the time of day.

Dominoes is a game played with passion in every rum shop on the island, tournaments are organised not only internally between the parishes, but interisland matches are also held. The noise when played is deafening with the slamming of the pieces on the table and the accompanying cheers and excitement of the supporters. But to the Bajans the noise enhances their enjoyment, so the noisier the better.

If you were to visit the island and want to see the real Barbados and the Bajans at play, take a stroll down to the nearest rum shops, situated on almost every down town street corner, away from the hotels, sit a while and simply enjoy the atmosphere, its priceless.