Barbudo's Island: A Resurrected Community

In September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Barbuda, causing the evacuation of its entire population to the neighbouring Caribbean island of Antigua. The storm left the island uninhabitable, with 95% of buildings destroyed and over half of the country's residents left homeless. By February 2019, most residents had returned to the island, but the future of the island's population remains uncertain due to ongoing issues with development and the preservation of Barbudan land rights.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda in 2017

Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, wreaked havoc on the island of Barbuda in September 2017. The storm's eye passed directly over the island, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding. The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda was catastrophic, with 90-95% of the island's buildings being destroyed, including its hospital, schools, and hotels. The hurricane caused three deaths on the island and left it completely uninhabitable.

The destruction rendered Barbuda's infrastructure inoperative, including water and telecommunication services, which further hampered relief efforts. The lone airport on the island also sustained damages and remained closed. As a result, residents had to be evacuated to the nearby island of Antigua, with approximately 1,700 people being evacuated by the government and others leaving on their own. The government of Antigua and Barbuda requested support from the World Bank Group to undertake a recovery needs assessment.

The total damages to physical assets in Barbuda due to Hurricane Irma were significant, with the tourism sector accounting for 44% of the total damage costs and housing accounting for 37%. The hurricane also contaminated important water supplies, as all water sources on the island were damaged. In addition, there were concerns about the storm's impact on the island's wildlife, particularly the Barbuda warbler, an endemic bird species.

The government of Barbuda intended to rebuild the island, but it was a daunting task that required international humanitarian assistance. By February 2019, most of the residents had returned to the island.

The Barbudan way of life

Barbudans are proud of their strong sense of community and their unique history and culture. They are descended from West Africa and Africans from the British Isles, and many can trace their lineage back nine generations. The Barbudan people have a long history of self-governance and communal land ownership, with a strong commitment to preserving their land and maintaining an ecologically sound and sustainable way of life. This includes traditional knowledge of fishing, hunting, and farming for food security, as well as a freedom for children to play and families to camp and cook together on the coastal shore during the summer months.

Barbudans have also faced challenges, including the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma in 2017, which destroyed much of the island's infrastructure and led to a mandatory evacuation. In the aftermath of the hurricane, the Barbudan community faced threats to their communal land rights and way of life due to development interests. Despite these challenges, Barbudans remain committed to preserving their unique culture and passing it on to future generations.

The Barbudan community is also known for its warm hospitality and welcoming attitude towards visitors. The island attracts tourists with its pristine beaches, natural beauty, and peaceful way of life. Barbudans are happy to share their local knowledge and traditions with visitors, creating a unique and immersive travel experience.

The history of settlement on Barbuda

The first inhabitants of Barbuda were hunter-gatherers who arrived by canoe around 3,000–4,000 years ago. Some sources refer to these first settlers as Ciboney or Siboney, though others dispute this. Artifacts from this Archaic period include cutting blades made from gastropods, as well as tools made from conch, trumpet, and whelk shells.

The successors of the Ciboney were the Arawaks, who were present on Barbuda from at least 1,000 BC. They likely arrived from present-day Venezuela and Guyana, and used the island for brief stays or seasonal supplies. They introduced agriculture to the island, growing sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, cotton, tobacco, and various fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. They also made intricate pottery, known as Saladoid. The Arawaks were followed by the Kalinago people, who visited Barbuda to harvest seafood and crops.

In the 15th century, Christopher Columbus sailed through the eastern Caribbean, though it is unclear if he sighted Barbuda. Early attempts by Europeans to settle the island failed due to resistance from the Kalinago. In 1625, Captain Smith and John Littleton attempted to colonize Barbuda from St. Kitts, but this was also unsuccessful. In 1632, the English settled on Antigua, and in 1678, Barbuda was colonized by the English. In 1685, Barbuda was leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington, and the village of Codrington became the primary residential area. The Codringtons attempted to establish a slave breeding colony, but this never went through. Instead, the island became a source of slaves for other locations.

In 1834, slavery was abolished in Barbuda, and the Barbudans continued to cultivate the land autonomously. In 1859, Barbuda was annexed as a dependency of Antigua. In 1976, Barbuda was granted a status of autonomy, and the Barbuda Council was established. In 1981, the island gained its independence from the United Kingdom as part of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused widespread devastation on Barbuda, destroying more than 90% of the island's buildings, and leading to the evacuation of the entire population to Antigua. As of 2019, most residents had returned to the island.

The population of Barbuda

The island of Barbuda is part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda, located in the eastern Caribbean. Barbuda is a dependency of Antigua, situated approximately 30 miles (48 km) to the north. Barbuda has a population of around 1,634 people, while the overall population of Antigua and Barbuda is estimated to be around 93,772 as of mid-2024.

Barbuda is one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Caribbean, with a significantly lower population density than Antigua. The island's only settlement is Codrington, which is home to approximately 1,300 people as of 2011. The population of Barbuda was evacuated to Antigua in September 2017 due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, which destroyed more than 90% of the island's buildings. By February 2019, most residents had returned to the island.

The Barbudan community is known for its hospitality and welcoming nature, making visitors feel like a part of the local community. The island has a strong sense of independence and a rich history, making it a unique and captivating destination for tourists seeking an authentic Caribbean experience beyond just its famous pink sand beaches.

The economy of Barbuda

Tourism is a key source of income for Barbuda, with the island's pristine beaches, tropical climate, and natural beauty attracting visitors from all over the world. The industry accounts for a significant portion of the island's GDP, providing jobs and foreign exchange. In addition to tourism, the government is also a major source of employment on the island.

The agricultural sector in Barbuda is mainly focused on the domestic market due to limited water supply and labour shortages. The sector includes livestock farming and the production of crops such as cotton, fruits, and vegetables.

Barbuda also has a growing export industry, primarily focused on bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. The island has a significant lobster-catching industry, with exports going to the United States, and a smaller amount of fish being exported to Guadeloupe and Martinique.

The island has a small-scale manufacturing sector that produces rum, refined petroleum, paints, garments, furniture, and electrical components.

In terms of natural resources, Barbuda has mineral resources such as limestone, building stone, clay, and barite, but these are not extensively exploited.

Overall, the economy of Barbuda is service-based, with tourism and government services being the primary sources of income and employment for the island's residents.

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