Barbados Makes History with The SUCOTETO Wreath: A New Chapter of Remembrance and Justice

Barbados has made history as the first of the 15 CARICOM Member States and 6 Associate Members to lay The SUCOTETO Wreath at the Emancipation Statue – a profound act of remembrance, resilience, and hope. This unprecedented ceremony honoured the generations of enslaved African ancestors who endured centuries of inhumanity, and it reaffirmed the island’s unwavering commitment to racial justice and the global fight for reparations.

The SUCOTETO Wreath, endorsed by the Prime Minister of Barbados herself – a trailblazer on the world stage – carries a message of remembrance, healing, and unity. In a profoundly symbolic gesture, the Prime Minister will display the wreath in her office, ensuring its spirit of ancestral recognition lives at the heart of national leadership.

The SUCOTETO wreath’s creator, Ruth South, was both humbled and honoured to witness this momentous occasion. Her creation is no ordinary design – it is a living emblem of remembrance, hope, and healing. For over 400 years, the voices of our enslaved ancestors have cried out to be remembered, and now, through this act and through The SUCOTETO, they finally are.

The laying of the wreath at the Emancipation Statue – popularly known as the “Bussa Statue” – represents not only a commemoration of the past but also a clear vision for the future. It serves as a reminder that emancipation is not a single moment frozen in time, but rather an ongoing struggle for dignity, equality, and justice.

This historic act by Barbados reverberates beyond its shores. It signals to the entire Caribbean, and indeed to the world, that the journey towards reparations and racial justice is not a question of if, but when. The SUCOTETO Wreath now stands as a symbol of collective memory and shared healing – a promise that the sacrifices of our ancestors will never be forgotten again, and that their legacy will continue to inspire generations yet to come.