Emancipation Day

Public Holiday · August 1

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Emancipation Day on 1 August is a national public holiday commemorating the formal end of chattel slavery in the British West Indies in 1834 and the subsequent full emancipation in 1838. In Barbados the day is marked with ceremonies at the Emancipation Statue (Bussa) and other heritage sites, cultural performances, drumming and educational events. Together with Kadooment Day on the first Monday in August, it forms part of the wider Emancipation-Kadooment long weekend, combining sombre remembrance with joyful celebration.