The people of Barbados are born into a culture of mixed influences. The Spanish, English and Amerindians have left their indelible footprint here and their customs have been integrated into Caribbean language, crafts and religion. All this history Barbados shares with her Caribbean neighbours, but the people are unique in a number of ways. It is said that they are relaxed, not easily offended, and practical, confident and disciplined. The elderly here are amongst the most lasting of any country in the world, and have a strong sense of religion and belonging. With a definite sense of identity and purpose, many visitors have admired the cohesive social fabric of this land.

There are approximately 260,000 natives on this island. Over 70 per cent are black and the literacy rate is very high. Barbados has a progressive educational strategy with college freely offered to inhabitants. The Bajan people speak English, but they have developed a colourful dialect strongly influenced by West African languages. Here are a few phrases you might come across in your visit: “goat heaven” – a state of bliss; “below” – on the left; “shagger” – sea crab.