Just who “installed” this government Cde Aubrey?
Since the late historian Vere T. .Daly exposed me to the drama, the daring, the revolutionary survivalist spirit of the 1763 Berbice rebels, during my 1964-1966 teacher-training, I’ve remained intrigued by that story. Especially when February comes around. Pity it’s just once per year!
I have also read the research analyses and conclusions regarding our Berbician 1763 revolt by quite a few other historians since my in-person classroom encounters with Mr. Vere T. Daly. So as promised – since this February is hurtling to its end – I’ll share with readers – especially the younger teachers and students – some of my favourite and the more factual but provocatively insightful elements of that daring 1763 Revolt against brutal oppression of Africans by Dutch Europeans. Consider these highlights. And some intricacies.
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1763: Rebellion, irony. 1823: Revolt, religion
No doubt most of the Dutch plantation slave-owners regarded their African-imported slaves, along with their Berbice-born creole serfs – as far–less-than-human property; as akin to savages.
Yet the brutality dished out to reluctant or lazy or disobedient slaves – by the Dutch Europeans – easily characterised them – the Europeans – as inhuman savage-like beings. For, as historian A.R.F. Webber points out, even though African local leaders were often active participants in selling the white slave traders their own tribesmen, “no African owner debauched the wives and daughters of his slaves; breaking bodies on racks; amputating legs and plunging the stumps in boiling tar or oil; burning to death; even branding were practically unknown, unpractised in Africa” even in that era. What irony!
Those were the years-long atrocities which broke bodies but not the slave’s minds. Thus the initial uprising on Plantation Magdalenenburg led by House Slave/ Cooper Kofi on the Canje River on 23rd February 1763; to gain revolutionary momentum along numerous plantations along the river Berbice.
Two other ironies: a Moravian missionary outpost established to dispense Christianity to the Dutch had to be abandoned due to the revolt. And many creole Africans actually helped their masters to escape their brutalised brothers’ wrath. What irony!
These few truncated paragraphs can never do justice to the boldness of spirit, intent and military strategic objectives of 1763’s Berbice revolutionaries.
I trust this episodic, unprecedented aspect of Guyana’s early history is still being taught. Because I’m severely disappointed when I question our young citizens about that remarkable colony-wide insurrection of 259 years ago.
I leave a few highlights to influence teachers. From Canje to Corentyne to Berbice Rivers and divisions, plantations that rose up included Magdalenenburg, Lilienburg, Hollandia, Antonia, Dageraad, Essen-daam, Pereboom and numerous others. Kofi’s warrior lieutenants included Akara, Atta, Cosala, Gousarri and Accabre (H). As plantation battles were being won by the rebels, the Dutch were fleeing to river mouth forts. The Berbice colony’s Dutch governor Van Hoogenheim had been actually petitioning his principals to dispense relief to both slave-holders and slaves. Irony! He abandoned that “goodwill” swiftly and sought military assistance from neighbouring Dutch colony Suriname, the Caribbean and Holland. Many reasons and circumstances caused Kofi’s gallant year-long “revolution” to collapse.
Research would reveal the presence of an epidemic; Hoogenheim’s strategic tactics to deceive Kofi who displayed “moral principles” even in war; then there were dissension and division among his own warriors. No wonder, as custom demanded, Kofi ended his own life as defeat loomed.
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Revolt and religion in 1823
Six decades after Berbice’s 1763 example, the British-owned slaves along the East Coast, Demerara revolted. More irony attended this Demerara uprising.
Firstly the British plantation owners wanted to showcase their pretended humane-ness as slave owners, compared to the Berbice Dutch. Ironically those British had agreed that the London Missionary Society (LMS) should send pastors to Christianise their slaves. So said, so done. Principal actors? Reverends Wray and Smith. Among the insurrection slave leaders were Christians Quamina, Gladstone, Packwood, Bristol, Seaton etc.
In summary, tremendous, sustained overwork, a mis-conception about “emancipation” and the imposition of new pass laws to allow freedom of movement all fomented the Demerara Revolt. More irony as slaves were upset at not being allowed to celebrate their Christianity at Bethel Chapel in Le Resouvenir. Some successful slave attacks were eventually quelled with severity. Beheadings galore by British forces.
But a glorious consequence of the trial and conviction of Rev. John Smith for allegedly assisting his parishioners/rebel slaves, was that a decade later the British moved to abolish slavery in the Demerara colony. Thousands were therefore indebted to Quamina and Rev. Smith for eventual lasting freedom.
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Mashramani mediocrity?
The “coined” description, “Mashramani”, has assumed much more popular usage than the more formal, official designation, “Republic Day” or “Republic Anniversary” since 1970.
I would never want to come off as being “ole and grumpy and jealous” now that I’m in retirement from years-long involvement in the Mash Festivals event. The celebratory aspects of the anniversary.
But a significant number of concerned celebrants have been complaining of mediocrity in organization of the limited public events. Understandable because of COVID? Did not Trinidadian involvement in the steel band competitions improve quality? Are not the private fellows up-to-scratch on behalf of the Culture Ministry? Educate me please – about a privatised Mashramani. Not mediocrity.
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This darned “installed” government!
I met comrade Aubrey Norton when I was an enthusiastic “PNC man” of times past. Linden’s Aubrey can be nothing more or less than “PNC”. And I’m actually proud to know, that after the tenure of another Lindener RHO CORBIN – whom he Aubrey is not too fond of – I was once close to another PNC Leader – Cde Aubrey.
That’s why I feel free to enquire: Comrade Aubrey just who installed this PPP government? The EU, British, Caribbean Leaders, Canadians? Oh! Trump’s Americans!!? All of them? Why? By how many votes did your “coalition” triumph? (I still wish you wise, moderate, informed and successful PNC leadership comrade.)
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Stop! Ponder
● 1) Stop it comrade Hammie (Green)! You know as an “older elder”, you must not mis-inform this “younger elder Allan” and the uninformed young about the usage of “Apaan Jaat” in the fifties/sixties. Apaan Jaat/vote own race originated from one Daniel Debidin not Cheddi Jagan! He might have benefited from ethnic preferences after the big PPP split. But Cheddi never preached that.
● 2) I actually agreed with the daily letter writer…Gabriel H.K.L. Dr Vindhya Persaud should have upbraided her comrade MP, Dharamlall.
‘Til next week!
