06/09/2019
🇬🇭 Story of Ghanaian Slave Woman Who Led the Biggest Slave Revolt in The West Indies In 1733:
When slavery is discussed in the media and is taught in schools, very little is mentioned of the strong and fierce resistance which Africans put up against the slavers and their accomplices. The bravery of African ancestors is often swept under the rug so that the new and coming generations would have a picture of weak and defeated ancestors.
But here at Liberty Writers Africa, we think and act differently. We understand the psychological impact of not teaching the people about the bravery of their ancestors, and so we do our best to tell of the revolts and victories of African ancestors. That way, those in this generation will draw strength from their boldness in the face of draconian encounters with the West.
The revolts by African slaves in the Americas, the West Indies, and Europe, started to increase around the 1700s. The revolt by Breffu and her people happened in 1733. It was a mighty revolt against the Danes who at that time were the European power who owned the West Indies. Although before the Danes ruled and controlled the West Indies, it was first governed and controlled by the Spanish, the British, the French, and the Dutch, all from 1600 to 1718.
It was in 1718 that the Danes had total control of the West Indies and established their government and colony. And after 15 years of their control, the Africans struck, in a rebellion that is recorded in history to be the longest-lasting revolt by African slaves in the Americas.
In November of 1733, Breffu led other enslaved Africans from the Akan ethnic group of the Akwamu Kingdom of Ghana, to attack the Danish army stationed in the West Indies. She was enslaved and owned by Pieter Krøyer in Coral Bay.
She planned the rebellion with another slave called Christian. Both of them who were royalty from Ghana was able to plot the revolt and then gather over 150 of their enslaved kin to join them in taking over the West Indies.
After they had all rehearsed and concluded their plans, they struck on the 23rd of November, 1733. That day, they first went about their normal chores. But their masters and overseers did not realize that they had hidden knives in the woods that they usually delivered to the fort at Coral Bay.
When slavery is discussed in the media and is taught in schools, very little is mentioned of the strong and fierce resistance which Africans put up against the slavers and their accomplices.
