Barbuda's Inner Workings: A Comprehensive Overview

Barbuda is a small, flat island in the Caribbean, which is part of a three-island state with Antigua and uninhabited Redonda. It has a population of around 1,500 people, who mostly live in the village of Codrington. The island is known for its natural beauty, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters, attracting tourists from all over the world. The Barbudan economy relies heavily on tourism, with the central and local governments being the largest employers on the island. In recent years, however, the island has faced challenges due to the impact of Hurricane Irma in 2017, which left the island uninhabitable and caused a temporary evacuation of its residents.

Barbuda's flat geography and vulnerability to hurricanes

Barbuda is a flat island with a maximum elevation of 38 metres (125 feet) and is therefore vulnerable to hurricanes. The island is located in the Caribbean, where hurricanes are common. In fact, between August and October, the island is at risk of being hit by hurricanes.

In September 2017, the Category 5 Hurricane Irma destroyed more than 90% of Barbuda's buildings, and the entire population was evacuated to Antigua. Hurricane Irma caused such devastation that in 2023, a bill was proposed and passed that would end Barbudan communal land ownership.

The island's flat geography means that there are few barriers to protect it from hurricanes. The western portion of the island is dominated by the Codrington Lagoon, while the eastern portion is dominated by an elevated plateau, with salty ponds and scrubland spread throughout. The island's low-lying areas, such as the Codrington Lagoon, are particularly vulnerable to flooding during hurricanes.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda was significant due to high wind speeds and torrential rains that produced flooding and storm surges. The storm also caused damage to roofs, windows, and doors, as well as internal partitions. The hurricane also resulted in a loss of power and communication services, disrupted transportation, and contaminated water supplies.

To reduce the vulnerability of buildings to hurricanes, it is recommended to protect glass windows and doors with approved shutters, improve roof framing connections, and provide additional screws in vulnerable roof areas. It is also important to improve the water tightness of aluminium louver windows and secure timber shutters.

The island's history of slavery and communal land ownership

The island of Barbuda has a long history of slavery and communal land ownership. The first inhabitants of Barbuda were hunter-gatherers who arrived by canoe around 3,000-4,000 years ago. The island was subsequently inhabited by the Arawak and Kalinago people.

In 1666, the Spanish, French and English colonised Barbuda, with the island being leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington in 1685. The Codringtons were absentee owners, represented on the island by resident managers. The slave population grew naturally from 172 in 1746 to 503 in 1831. During this period, several slave rebellions took place, with the most serious occurring in 1834-5.

In 1834, slavery was abolished in Barbuda per the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. As the entire island had been covered by a single land grant, the Barbudans continued autonomous cultivation on communal property after slavery's abolition. This communal land ownership was codified in 2007 with the Barbuda Land Act, which states that "All land in Barbuda shall be owned in common by the people of Barbuda" and "No land in Barbuda shall be sold".

In recent years, there have been attempts to repeal the Barbuda Land Act and transition to a privatised land system. In 2017, a set of amendments were passed that weakened protections related to communal ownership. In 2018, the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the Barbuda Land Act, which is currently before the Senate. These attempts have been met with opposition from Barbudans, who have retained a law firm to challenge the repeal in court if it is passed.

The impact of Hurricane Irma and subsequent evacuation

Hurricane Irma was a devastating tropical cyclone that wreaked havoc on the Leeward Islands in September 2017. As the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the region, it brought catastrophic damage to Barbuda, destroying or severely damaging 81% to 95% of the island's structures, including its hospital, schools, and hotels. The storm's impact rendered the island uninhabitable, with essential services such as water and telecommunications severely disrupted. The lone airport was also damaged and closed, hindering relief efforts.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the government of Antigua and Barbuda evacuated all inhabitants of Barbuda to the neighbouring island of Antigua. This evacuation was necessary due to the extensive damage inflicted on Barbuda's infrastructure and the approaching Hurricane Jose, which threatened further devastation. The urgency to find shelter was heightened as Jose was following a similar path to Irma.

The evacuation process was challenging, as the damaged airport remained closed. However, vessels like the Excellee, a pleasure craft, answered the call, transporting residents from Barbuda to Antigua. By the end of the week, up to two-thirds of Barbuda's 1,500 residents were expected to have made the one-hour voyage to Antigua, where they could begin rebuilding their lives.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda was profound, and the island was left in a state of devastation. The storm claimed the life of a two-year-old child and left deep emotional scars on the residents, who lost their homes, possessions, and sense of security. The destruction of infrastructure and basic services disrupted the lives of Barbudans, and the evacuation to Antigua became a necessary step toward recovery.

The subsequent evacuation to Antigua was a significant undertaking, and most residents of Barbuda sought shelter in government-run collective centres or with relatives. The impact of Irma on Barbuda's population was long-lasting, and the island's recovery has been a gradual process. It was not until February 2019 that most residents were able to return to the island, slowly rebuilding their homes and communities.

The economy, including tourism, fishing and exports

The economy of Barbuda is closely tied to that of its sister island Antigua, with which it forms a three-island state alongside the uninhabited island of Redonda. Together, Antigua and Barbuda have a service-based economy, with tourism and government services being the key sources of employment and income.

Tourism is a major driver of the economy in Barbuda, with the island attracting visitors with its natural beaches, crystal-clear waters, and peaceful way of life. The island is particularly known for its pink and white sandy beaches and its opportunities for snorkelling and observing wildlife in their natural habitat. While Barbuda typically sees an influx of tourists arriving on day tours from Antigua, longer stays on the island are encouraged to truly experience all that it has to offer. The island's accommodation options include great-value guest houses, beachfront rooms, and glamping sites.

Fishing is another important economic activity in Barbuda, with the island being well-known for its abundant lobster, conch, and other seafood caught using traditional, sustainable methods. Barbudans also fish for larger fish such as kingfish, dolphin or mahi mahi, tuna, and barracuda, which are sold to hotels during the season. The Fisheries complex on the edge of Codrington Lagoon supports local fishers by providing infrastructure for storing their catch and equipment, facilitating the potential for larger exports throughout the Caribbean.

In addition to tourism and fishing, exports also contribute to Barbuda's economy. While specific data for Barbuda is limited, the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda had a total export value of 37,400.12 thousand US dollars. The exports include a range of products, such as petroleum products, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, food and live animals, and other commodities.

The political system and relationship with Antigua

Barbuda is an autonomous dependency of Antigua, with which it forms a twin-island state. Barbuda has a degree of autonomy, with its own local government, the Barbuda Council, which regulates public works, finance, agriculture, and other areas. The Barbuda Council elects a chairperson and vice-chairperson annually, and its members are either directly elected or are ex officio Barbuda representatives in the national Parliament.

However, the political power dynamic between the two islands is unequal, with only one out of 17 parliamentary members representing Barbuda. This has contributed to a tense relationship between the two islands since their unification in 1981, following independence from the UK.

While Antigua gained full self-government in 1967, Barbuda has made attempts to obtain independence from Antigua, but these have failed. The relationship has been further strained by the Antiguan government's push for economic development, which many Barbudans see as a threat to their traditional way of life and communal land ownership rights.

The issue of land ownership has been a significant source of conflict between the two islands. Since emancipation from slavery in 1834, Barbudans have governed their land communally, without private ownership. However, the Antiguan government has sought to revoke this system, arguing that freehold tenure will enable Barbudans to secure bank loans to rebuild their houses. Barbudans, on the other hand, argue that the push for freehold tenure is motivated by a desire to open up the island for purchase by international interests for mass tourism development, as has happened in Antigua.

The conflict over land ownership came to a head in 2017, when Hurricane Irma devastated Barbuda, leaving it uninhabitable and forcing the evacuation of its entire population to Antigua. The recovery process has been slow, and Barbudans continue to face challenges such as limited access to banking and postal services. The Antiguan government has been accused of exploiting the crisis to further its economic agenda, a situation described as an example of "disaster capitalism". Despite the difficult living conditions and pressure to migrate, Barbudans have remained on the island, defending their traditional land rights and way of life.

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