Berbice Slave Uprising

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The Berbice Slave Uprising is the most famous slave revolt in Guyana. It began in February 1763 and lasted into 1764.

The uprising began on Plantation Magdalenenberg on the Canje River in Berbice. The slaves rebelled, protesting harsh and inhumane treatment, and took control of the region. As plantation after plantation fell to the slaves, the European population fled. Eventually only half of the whites who had lived in the colony remained.

Led by Cuffy (now the national hero of Guyana), the rebels came to number about 3,000 and threatened European control over the Guianas. The insurgents were defeated with the assistance of troops from neighboring French and British colonies and from Europe.