Tomorrow is Barbados’ 46th Independence anniversary and Barbadians home and abroad will observe the occasion in various ways.
One of the highlights will be the grand annual Independence Day Parade at the Garrison Savannah where the island’s National Flag was raised for the first time on the night of November 30, 1966.
Celebrations started from the beginning of the month, as schools and community groups staged various cultural activities with the focus on things Barbadian.
Yesterday, a WEEKEND NATION team visited some of the schools to take in some of their celebrations and also to chat with students about their understanding of the meaning of Independence Day.
The colours ultramarine, yellow and black created a beautiful scene at Ellerton Primary as the students and teachers participated in De Bajan Dooflicky show.
Students from nursery to Class 4, sang songs, recited poems and even danced as they demonstrated their understanding of what it means to be Bajan.
Principal Donna Allman told the students that a feeling of pride and industry at a personal, community and national level, should be expressed individually and as a nation.
“When we wear our national colours, it evokes a sense of nationalism which simply means how you feel about your country,” said Allman.
Lloyd Smith, ten, told of what Independence meant to him: “Independence is when Barbados broke away from the country that took us in slavery. It means that we were broken from chains,” he said.
His classmate Keshiona Perch said: “I feel good because Barbadians are independent and some Barbadians were never ashamed to be Barbadians.”
Book work seemed to be have been placed on the backburner at Milton Lynch Primary for the week as Independence activities reigned supreme. The students of the all-boys school toured various historical sites.
They were treated to a performance from the Barbados Landship Association and took part in an Independence quiz and sampled delicious Bajan delicacies.
When the WEEKEND NATION team visited the Christ Church school, the students were having a grand time dancing to songs sung by prominent calypsonians Red Plastic Bag and Blood.
Part two of that cultural session will be held today when Li’l Rick visits.
“I feel very good about Independence because my birthday is on it,” headboy Daniel Rowe said. “And if it wasn’t for Independence we would still be in slavery.
“It feels good because you get to do what you want, when you want. Of course it depends on if what you are doing is the right or wrong thing, because you can get beat sometimes if you do the wrong thing.”
At Wills Primary, there was a re-enactment of the human chain link which was formed in Barbados in 1979, as a show of national togetherness.
The more than 200 students at the Top Rock, Christ Church school, as well as staff and parents joined hands and also created a chain of dollars.
That activity was organised by the school’s Helping Hands outreach programme which focused on promoting cultural, social and charitable aspects of society.
Director of the programme, Alice George, revealed that the money collected through the human chain link would go towards “making shoe boxes filled with toys and foodstuff for the less fortunate in the country.” (AH)