Barbados, a Caribbean island nation, does not have “tribes” in the traditional sense like some other regions. Its population is largely made up of people of African descent, whose ancestors were brought to the island during the transatlantic slave trade. Here’s a breakdown of the ethnic and cultural groups in Barbados:
- Afro-Barbadians
The largest ethnic group, comprising over 90% of the population.
Descendants of enslaved Africans.
Have a rich cultural heritage that includes music, dance, religion, and food deeply rooted in African traditions blended with British colonial influences.
- Indo-Barbadians
Small minority descended from Indian immigrants.
Some arrived as indentured laborers or through later migration.
- Euro-Barbadians (White Bajans)
Descendants of early British settlers and colonists.
Make up a small percentage of the population but have historically held economic power.
- Mixed-Race Barbadians
People of mixed African, European, and other ancestries.
A common and culturally significant group in Barbadian society.
- Minority Immigrant Groups
Include Chinese, Syrians, Lebanese, and more recent arrivals from other Caribbean islands and countries.
Note on Indigenous People:
The original inhabitants of Barbados were the Arawaks and later the Caribs, indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. However, they were largely displaced or perished after European colonization in the 1600s, and there are no significant indigenous tribes remaining in Barbados today.
