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Antigua and Barbuda | HearLore
Antigua and Barbuda
The first human footsteps on these islands were not taken by Europeans, but by hunter-gatherers arriving on canoes from Central and South America around 3100 BC. These early settlers, known as the Ciboney, established the first permanent communities on what is now Antigua and Barbuda, leaving behind carbon-dated evidence of their presence that predates the arrival of Christopher Columbus by over five thousand years. They were eventually succeeded by the Saladoid people, an Arawak-speaking culture that migrated from the lower Orinoco River and introduced agriculture to the islands. These early farmers cultivated crops such as the Antigua black pineapple, corn, sweet potatoes, and tobacco, creating a society that thrived for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish. The Caribs later settled the island, adding another layer to the complex indigenous history that would be erased by European colonization. The Spanish did not colonize Antigua until after a combination of European and African diseases, malnutrition, and slavery had already decimated the native population, with smallpox serving as the greatest killer of the era. The islands remained largely uncolonized until 1632, when Edward Warner and his small party established the first successful British colony, marking the beginning of a new and brutal chapter in the islands' history.
The Sugar and Slave Economy
The English settlement of Antigua in 1632 and the subsequent colonization of Barbuda by the Codrington family in 1685 transformed the islands into a brutal engine of sugar production driven by enslaved labor. Tobacco was the initial crop, but it was quickly replaced by sugar, which required a massive workforce to cultivate and process. This demand led to the transport of a large population of slaves from West Africa, who soon vastly outnumbered the European settlers. The conditions endured by these enslaved people were so brutal that they sparked revolts in 1701 and 1729, and a planned revolt in 1736 led by Prince Klaas, which was discovered before it began and resulted in the execution of the ringleaders. The abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833 fundamentally altered the economy, but the islands continued to struggle with natural disasters such as the 1843 earthquake and the 1847 hurricane. Mining occurred on the isle of Redonda, but this ceased in 1929, and the island has since remained uninhabited. The legacy of this period is deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of the country, with the majority of the population today being of African descent. The history of slavery and the subsequent struggle for autonomy shaped the political landscape of the islands, leading to the first democratic elections in 1951 and eventual independence in 1981.
When did the first humans arrive on Antigua and Barbuda?
The first human footsteps on these islands were taken by hunter-gatherers arriving on canoes from Central and South America around 3100 BC. These early settlers, known as the Ciboney, established the first permanent communities on what is now Antigua and Barbuda, leaving behind carbon-dated evidence of their presence that predates the arrival of Christopher Columbus by over five thousand years.
When did the British establish the first colony in Antigua and Barbuda?
The islands remained largely uncolonized until 1632, when Edward Warner and his small party established the first successful British colony. This event marked the beginning of a new and brutal chapter in the islands' history that transformed the islands into a brutal engine of sugar production driven by enslaved labor.
When did Antigua and Barbuda gain independence from the British Empire?
The history of slavery and the subsequent struggle for autonomy shaped the political landscape of the islands, leading to the first democratic elections in 1951 and eventual independence in 1981. Vere Bird became the first Prime Minister of independent Antigua and Barbuda in 1981, ruling until 1994.
When did Hurricane Irma devastate the island of Barbuda?
In early September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Barbuda, bringing winds with speeds reaching 295 kilometers per hour and damaging or destroying 95% of the island's buildings and infrastructure. The storm left Barbuda barely habitable, and nearly everyone on the island was evacuated to Antigua.
When was personal income tax abolished in Antigua and Barbuda?
The nation has enacted policies to attract high-net-worth citizens and residents, such as abolishing personal income tax in 2016. This policy change is part of the country's strategy to boost its economy, which is dominated by tourism and accounts for more than half of the gross domestic product.
For over four decades, from 1960 until 2004, the Bird family dominated the archipelago's politics with only one interruption, creating a political dynasty that shaped the nation's destiny. Vere Bird, who served as Premier from 1967 to 1971 and 176 to 1981, became the first Prime Minister of independent Antigua and Barbuda in 1981, ruling until 1994. His son, Lester Bird, succeeded him, serving from 1994 to 2004, and later returned to power as Prime Minister in 2014. The Bird governments provided a degree of political stability and boosted tourism to the country, but they were frequently accused of corruption, cronyism, and financial malfeasance. Vere Bird Jr., the elder son, was forced to leave the cabinet in 1990 following a scandal in which he was accused of smuggling Israeli weapons to Colombian drug-traffickers. Another son, Ivor Bird, was convicted of possessing cocaine in 1995. The dominance of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party ended with the 2004 Antiguan general election, which was won by Winston Baldwin Spencer's United Progressive Party. However, the Labour Party returned to power in 2014 under Gaston Browne, winning 15 of the 17 seats in the 2018 snap election. The Bird family's influence on the nation's politics and economy remains a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.
The Hurricane and the Rebuilding
In early September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Barbuda, bringing winds with speeds reaching 295 kilometers per hour and damaging or destroying 95% of the island's buildings and infrastructure. The storm left Barbuda barely habitable, and nearly everyone on the island was evacuated to Antigua. Philmore Mullin, Director of Barbuda's National Office of Disaster Services, stated that all critical infrastructure and utilities were non-existent, including food supply, medicine, shelter, electricity, water, communications, and waste management. The rebuilding efforts were estimated to cost at least $100 million, and the government announced plans to revoke a century-old law of communal land ownership by allowing residents to buy land, a move that has been criticized as promoting disaster capitalism. The storm highlighted the vulnerability of the islands to climate change and the challenges of rebuilding a nation in the face of such destruction. The aftermath of Hurricane Irma has also led to a deterioration of the relationship between the two main islands, with the central government repeatedly threatening to abolish the communal land system and allow non-Barbudans to purchase land on the island. The event has become a defining moment in the modern history of Antigua and Barbuda, shaping the political and social landscape of the country.
The Modern Economy and Culture
Tourism dominates the economy of Antigua and Barbuda, accounting for more than half of the gross domestic product, and the country is well known for its extensive collection of five-star resorts. However, weaker tourist activity in lower and middle market segments since the beginning of the year 2000 has slowed the economy and put the government into a tight fiscal corner. The nation has enacted policies to attract high-net-worth citizens and residents, such as abolishing personal income tax in 2016. The provision of investment banking and financial services also constitutes a significant portion of the economy, with major international financial institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank maintaining offices in Antigua. The country has also been involved in significant financial scandals, such as the Stanford International Bank fraud in 2009, which resulted in the theft of approximately $8 billion from investors. The culture of Antigua and Barbuda is a blend of African, European, and indigenous influences, with music, art, and cuisine playing a central role in the national identity. The Antigua Carnival, modeled after European pre-Lent Carnival, is a major annual event that celebrates freedom from slavery and features brightly colored costumes, talent events, beauty pageants, and music. The country's cuisine is mostly of European origin with regional ingredients, and the national dishes include Fungee and pepperpot. The islands are also known for their rich history of cricket, with Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards representing the West Indies cricket team between 1974 and 1991.