Map of the Dutch colonies Guayana Esequiba, Demerara and Berbice as they were in 1800.
Berbice is an ancient region of Guyana, sometimes referred to as the ancient country. The Berbice River runs through it. It was an old Dutch colony, as evidenced by the existence of an almost extinct Dutch Creole dialect based on West African languages, especially the Ijo.
HistoryBerbice was settled in 1627 by the Dutchman Abraham van Peere. A few years later Lawrence Hyde, under the grant of King Charles II of England, founded Suriname.
In November 1712 Berbice was briefly occupied by the French led by the Baron de Mouans. From 27 February 1781 to February 1782 British forces occupied Demerara, the Essequibo and Berbice, subordinating them to Barbados. From February 1782 to 1784 the occupation of the three Dutch colonies returned to the French, but in 1784 Berbice was returned to Holland.
On April 22, 1796, the British returned to occupy their territory. The 27 of March of 1802 is returned to the Bátava Republic, as Holland was then known. The colony was ceded to Great Britain on November 20, 1815. On July 21, 1831 Berbice was attached to Demerara-Essequibo as English Guiana. Rebellion of the Berbice slaves Main article: Uprising of Berbice Slaves
The ill-treatment of slaves in Berbice soon attracted the spirit of rebellion that erupted in 1762 when Cuffy managed to reunite more than 2,500 slaves against Dutch settlers.
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