October 20: Barbados Elects Its First President (2021)
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Barbados.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com.
History Note
Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean, part of a group of islands known as the Lesser Antilles. Spanish raids during the colonial period forced its Indigenous population into slavery and removed them from the island.
British settlers arrived in the island in the 1600s and tried to establish plantations. The settlers had divided loyalties during the English Civil Wars, which led to tension. Barbados eventually became a major producer of sugar, with labor provided by indentured servants and enslaved workers.
Barbados gained independence in 1966, but the country still recognized Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. In 2020 the people of Barbados began the process of becoming a republic, and in 2021 they elected Sandra Mason as the country’s first president.
Sandra Mason, born in 1949, became an attorney and worked as a teacher, banker, ambassador, and judge, serving in Barbados and with international organizations. She was the final Governor-General of Barbados. Her hobbies include reading, playing Scrabble, watching cricket, and traveling.
Barbados has a population of 300,000. About 95% have African ancestry. English is the official language, though many people speak Bajan, an English-based creole, in informal settings. About 75% of the people belong to one of several Christian denominations.
Sunbury Plantation Great House, built in 1660, features antiques and collections from the island’s history. This room features photos of the Governors-General of Barbados. Sandra Mason’s photo is located beside the doorway on the right.
Learn More
President Sandra Mason recorded this video after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
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