In Guyana there are few national symbols. Cuffy specifically, is a forefather of emancipation. After the abolition of slavery in 1834, and then have full emancipation in 1838, the country recognized their struggle and appreciation to their only national hero, “Cuffy.” Kofi Badu, “Cuffy,” was from Ghana, West Africa, and brought to the Dutch colony of Berbice to work as a house slave a barrel maker on the plantation of Magdalenburg. Unfortunately, after working on the plantation, Cuffy became a victim and observer of the ill treatment slaves received through their years laboring.
In this time, the African slave population grew as plantations expanded. The main concern of the white plantation owners was to extract the greatest amount of labor …show more content…
Van Hoogenheim tried to warn the Europeans who lived near the plantations where Cuffy and his troops about his activities. While Cuffy continued to take over plantation after plantation sometimes the Europeans would try to defend themselves, but because of the growing size of his rebels it was difficult for them once Cuffy and his troops came to capture them. Continuing his journey to the different plantation around Berbice, Cuffy began to encounter difficulties with his troops since some sections felt that by defeating the Europeans meant that they can also now act as they pleased. While small groups roamed across the countryside plundering abandoned estates, others spent most of their time drinking rum and dressing up in European clothing while plundered from the plantations. Despite these slight actions, Cuffy always tried to carry out his rebellion avoiding bloodshed by writing to the governor proposing a partition of Berbice where the Dutch would get the coastlands and the rebels would occupy the interior. Cuffy wrote many letters to Van Hoogenheim, but the governor was very strategic and kept writing back and forth to Cuffy in order to stall him until enough reinforcement arrived. Cuffy thought that by encouraging and potentially building a relationship with Van Hoogenheim would prove beneficial for him and his rebels so that he can have a much resources as possible from the Dutch government. Unfortunately, Cuffy did not recognize in time that Van Hoogenheim was only engaging with him to be aware of what his plans were for each plantation that he intended to take over. When Cuffy got a sense of this it was too late when he did decided to attack. Van Hoogenheim and his forces grained control of a specific area Cuffy and his rebels patrolled and many died in attempts to protect the plantation. This defeat brought disunity in the ranks and most
In this time, the African slave population grew as plantations expanded. The main concern of the white plantation owners was to extract the greatest amount of labor …show more content…
Van Hoogenheim tried to warn the Europeans who lived near the plantations where Cuffy and his troops about his activities. While Cuffy continued to take over plantation after plantation sometimes the Europeans would try to defend themselves, but because of the growing size of his rebels it was difficult for them once Cuffy and his troops came to capture them. Continuing his journey to the different plantation around Berbice, Cuffy began to encounter difficulties with his troops since some sections felt that by defeating the Europeans meant that they can also now act as they pleased. While small groups roamed across the countryside plundering abandoned estates, others spent most of their time drinking rum and dressing up in European clothing while plundered from the plantations. Despite these slight actions, Cuffy always tried to carry out his rebellion avoiding bloodshed by writing to the governor proposing a partition of Berbice where the Dutch would get the coastlands and the rebels would occupy the interior. Cuffy wrote many letters to Van Hoogenheim, but the governor was very strategic and kept writing back and forth to Cuffy in order to stall him until enough reinforcement arrived. Cuffy thought that by encouraging and potentially building a relationship with Van Hoogenheim would prove beneficial for him and his rebels so that he can have a much resources as possible from the Dutch government. Unfortunately, Cuffy did not recognize in time that Van Hoogenheim was only engaging with him to be aware of what his plans were for each plantation that he intended to take over. When Cuffy got a sense of this it was too late when he did decided to attack. Van Hoogenheim and his forces grained control of a specific area Cuffy and his rebels patrolled and many died in attempts to protect the plantation. This defeat brought disunity in the ranks and most