Pre-colonial heritage education in Barbados

Author(s):
Krijger, E.; Waal, M. de
Published
2025
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

This article details the findings of a study conducted by Leiden University student Emma Krijger, focusing on how public and tourists in Barbados engage with the island’s pre-colonial heritage through formal education, media, and the work of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society (BMHS). A survey of 72 participants revealed limited prior knowledge of indigenous Barbadian history, especially among tourists, and a lack of coverage in school curricula. Despite this, respondents expressed strong interest in learning more, particularly through museums and digital platforms. The findings underscore the BMHS’s vital role in heritage education and suggest that broader, more inclusive efforts are needed to increase public engagement with Barbados’s rich pre-colonial past.

Heritage educationPre-colonial heritageBarbados Museum and Historical SocietyVisitor survey
Date issued
2025-12-01
Language
English
Is part of
Barbados Museum and Historical Society. Journal (2025), Vol. LXXI, p. 1-21
hdl
1887/4296707