The Ape King of Gibraltar
The legend of the Rock’s largest and most revered inhabitant.
The legend of Barabbas
Discover the captivating story of 'Barabbas,' Gibraltar's largest primate, in this intriguing historical saga. 'Barabbas,' an abnormally large ape, dwelled on the upper rock of Gibraltar alongside a troop of Barbary macaques in the early 19th century.
Barabbas's immense size initially frightened the townsfolk, and with limited food in the upper rock, he and his apes would resort to nighttime scavenging, sneaking into local markets for fruit. This behavior earned Barabbas a notorious reputation, making both townspeople and merchants uneasy.
Local authorities struggled to capture Barabbas and his troop. Their repeated evasions turned the situation into a comical spectacle. News even reached the King of Spain, who humorously commented that the "Monkey is the one running the show," not the British.
The Royal Exhibit - Spain’s King Ferdinand VII invites the public to see his prize capture.
Amidst these initial tensions, the British Military stationed on Gibraltar found an unexpected ally in 'Barabbas' and his macaque troop, as they assisted in defending against frequent attacks and incursions by Spanish troops.
These events evolved from local gossip into folklore, with tales spreading far and wide of the giant ape protector reigning over the upper rock. The phrase "The Ape King of Gibraltar" was coined, sparking widespread interest across the continent.
However, the narrative took an unfortunate turn when the King of Spain's ambition to reclaim Gibraltar led to an unusual demand, that the ape be captured and imprisoned as a trophy. A trophy labelled ‘The true King of Gibraltar”.
The poignant narrative of an extraordinary primate, his alliances, and his tragic destiny had largely faded into obscurity. However, recent discoveries in the past few months have unveiled fresh insights, bestowing upon 'Barabbas' a renewed and lasting legacy within the annals of Gibraltar's history.
Legend & Origins
Origins
The origins of this species of ape comes from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa.
The Barbary Macaque population in Gibraltar remains the sole wild monkey population on the European Continent. The term 'Barbary' is a reference to the Berber People of North Africa, who have had historical connections with these primates since ancient times.
Myth
Many aspects of Barabbas's tale remain a topic of conversation today.
Species
It is thought that Barabbas would have been a Barbary Macaque.
The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), also known as Barbary ape, is a macaque species native to the Atlas Mountains of Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco, along with a small introduced population in Gibraltar. It is the type species of the genus Macaca.
Gibraltar
The Rock has been a home for Barbary Apes for hundreds of years.
The macaque population is known to have been present on the Rock long before Gibraltar was captured by the British in 1704 and according to records, since prior to reconquest of Gibraltar from the Muslims.
The most widely recognised legend of Barabbas recounts the tale of a colossal ape who came to the rescue of a British military unit under Spanish attack during the 19th century. Earning him the moniker ‘The Ape King of Gibraltar”.
The Early Years
Artists Impression: A family of giant Barbary Macaques
Origins
Barbary Macaques have inhabited Gibraltar's rocky terrain for centuries, becoming a common sight for the 19th-century inhabitants. However, in 1804, rumors began circulating about a gigantic ape in Gibraltar, initially instilling fear and unease among the townspeople.
Streets of Gibraltar 1803-1805
Artists Impression: Hungry apes scavenge for food
Before long, confirmed sightings revealed that this majestic giant was, in fact, the alpha male of Gibraltar, leading a troop of 20 to 30 other apes. Curious locals flocked to the highest point of the rock to witness this extraordinary spectacle, inadvertently making the apes anxious.
Struggling to find enough food for their group, the largest male ape started venturing to the outskirts of the town in search of fruit to sustain his family. These actions alarmed the townsfolk, who began living in fear. Local merchants implored the town's mayor to declare the apes a public nuisance, urging that something be done.
Interestingly, these events became a source of amusement for neighboring Spaniards, who humorously quipped, "The monkey commands over the rock, not the people," poking fun at their Gibraltar counterparts.
However, a surprising twist occurred when the British Military, stationed in Gibraltar, stepped in to protect the primates. Soldiers camped in the upper rock area had interactions with the apes, fostering a mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. While the apes maintained their distance, they acknowledged each other's territories, leading to a unique and intriguing relationship that senior soldiers documented in their journals.
Shortly thereafter, in a surprising and pivotal moment, a small contingent of British Military found themselves vastly outnumbered during an unexpected attack by Spanish troops. In a remarkable turn of events, it is said that a cadre of apes, led by none other than Barabbas, rushed to the aid of the British soldiers, bravely defending them against their assailants.
This extraordinary act of heroism reverberated throughout the region, and thus, the legend of 'Barabbas - The Ape King of Gibraltar,' the valiant protector of Gibraltar, was born.
Ape Protector
Kidnapped for the King
The Spanish Obsession over Gibraltar
King Ferdinand of Spain, upon learning of the existence of the enigmatic "King Ape" of Gibraltar, became deeply intrigued. He possessed a superstitious nature, firmly placing his faith in the age-old legend surrounding the Barbary Macaques and the fate of Gibraltar. According to this enduring tale, as long as the Barbary macaques, a particular species of primates, dwelled upon the Rock of Gibraltar, the dominion of the territory would remain firmly in British hands. Any departure of these monkeys, it was believed, would foreshadow the eventual end of British sovereignty over Gibraltar.
In a desperate bid to reclaim Gibraltar for Spain, King Ferdinand devised an audacious scheme to capture Barabbas, convinced that this act would serve as the catalyst for a chain of events leading to the recapture of the Rock.
As the Battle of Trafalgar loomed on the horizon, the British Military's focus naturally shifted away from Gibraltar as they prepared for this pivotal conflict. Seizing this opportune moment, the King of Spain, through a network of trusted confidants, established clandestine contact with local merchants who harbored sympathies for the king's ambitions regarding Gibraltar.
A clandestine scheme was intricately devised to ensnare Barabbas, and once successfully captured, he was surreptitiously smuggled out of Gibraltar by ship. His intended destination: the foreboding dungeons of the Royal Palace in Granada, Spain.
Held Captive
The King of Spain
King Ferdinand of Spain orchestrated the plan to capture Gibraltar's symbol of rebellion, aiming to use it for propaganda and to gain favor among his people.
Capture & Trade
Merchants and mercenaries laid the trap, capturing the prized animal to exchange for a substantial reward paid in gold and land.
Confined in a cage, Barabbas the giant ape became the prized possession of Spanish royalty, symbolizing defiance against the British in response to the cession of Gibraltar.
A Royal Exhibit
The beast was paraded through the streets of Spain's largest cities. Lithographs from that era depict a massive structure of timber, ropes, and metal used to restrain and display the prized captive.
The Beast
The Protector
The Captive
The Trophy
Historic tales often brim with drama and tragedy. While there is no confirmed historical data to support this legend, a wealth of material in folklore and art has kept this story alive through the ages, albeit in a modest form.
Uncovering the Evidence
Historic Records
There are only two known records acknowledging 'Barabbas,' an unusually large primate in Gibraltar's upper rock and cave areas. Literary references about 'Barabbas' are rare and provide limited detail.
In one account, the ape is labeled a 'public nuisance,' while another account intriguingly mentions the enigmatic disappearance of the rock's 'beloved colossus.'
The Cage Design
In the Royal Archives of Granada University, a 19th-century cage designed by Spanish architect Leopoldo Arranjuez el Cordobes, intended for confining a large animal, has been unearthed.
Although the schematic drawing does not explicitly mention the intended occupant of the enclosure, it does feature sketches of gorillas embellishing the metal structure's design.
Footprints
In a secluded corner of Gibraltar's Nature Reserve, researchers stumbled upon three partial footprints believed to belong to an "unusually large primate." These prints have prompted experts to hypothesize that, if authentic, the creature in question would have been a primate capable of walking upright on its legs, with an estimated height ranging from 5 to 7 feet when standing.
The Soldier’s Diary
A key piece of evidence is a first-hand account from 1804 by Lieutenant George Delaney, a British soldier stationed in Gibraltar's Upper Rock. His diaries, still held by his family, recount close encounters with the giant apes, revealing them to be non-threatening.
Lt. Delaney's diary also includes a hand-drawn sketch of Barabbas, adding weight to his account.
The Skull
In a closer proximity to Gibraltar, another item rumored to be associated with Barabbas is housed in the National Museum of Anthropology in Madrid, recognized as Spain's oldest anthropology museum, inaugurated on April 29, 1875, during the reign of Alfonso XII. Within the museum's primate collection resides 'The Skull of the Monster,' a substantial skull from an unidentified humanoid creature dating back to the early 19th century.
This intriguing artifact was acquired from a private collection, although the remainder of the skeleton has yet to be located or recovered.
The Monk’s Tale
During archaeological research of the catacombs at the Monastery of Santa María de Óvila in Spain, a fable emerged, recounting the tale of a 'giant monkey-like man' who roamed the mountains. Initially believed to be an ancient story, it was later categorized as a 'children's story' with certain resemblances to the legend of Barabbas.
An update to this discovery reveals that carbon dating tests have pinpointed the manuscripts' origin to the 20th century. Consequently, it is now suggested that this fable may be a derivative narrative directly inspired by the legend of Barabbas, rather than a separate, ancient account.
Skeleton
Enthusiasts speculate that the remains of 'Gigantopithecus blacki,' the largest ape fossil ever discovered, could be those of Barabbas.
This theory links the almost complete skeleton of "Gigantopithecus blacki" displayed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Ohio to Barabbas, although it lacks verification due to the exhibit's absence of supporting information regarding origin and acquisition.
Stone Plaque
In the foothills near the Alhambra Palace in Granada, a perplexing plaque was discovered amidst the foliage. While it is suspected that the 'Royal Showcase' may have toured Spain, parading the giant ape as a trophy, there exists no documentation indicating Barabbas' death or burial in this southern Spanish region.
Regrettably, the plaque is no longer in its original location, having been removed, stolen, or misplaced. To compound the mystery, experts have encountered challenges in carbon dating or conducting further examinations of the plaque
Dr Sergio F. Quijano - University of Granada
“The investigation into 'the legend of Barabbas' presents a multifaceted endeavor within the realm of biology. It involves the intricate integration of historical, political, anthropomorphic, and biological components. Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to construct a holistic matrix that not only illuminates the life and times of the ape but also unveils insights into the era and its human inhabitants. ”
Dr Leanne O’Connor - Project Barabbas - Head of Research
“My involvement in this project commenced a little over three years ago, and during this relatively short span, I've witnessed the emergence of compelling new evidence that challenges our existing knowledge. The notion of a colossal macaque species once inhabiting Gibraltar is not beyond the realm of possibility. Intriguing parallels have surfaced when comparing these findings to primates residing in close proximity in Algeria and Morocco.”
Prof Roger Graham Smart - Institute of Primate Research
“The progression of this narrative mirrors the very essence of evolutionary processes. The likelihood of definitively confirming and validating this legend as factual remains remote, approaching the realm of impossibility. Nonetheless, the tantalizing possibility, even if it's just a 1% chance, serves as the driving force propelling our pursuit of understanding and discovery. ”
The Legacy Lives On
Folklore
There are minimal literary references to 'Barabbas' with only two accounts acknowledging the presence of a large primate in Gibraltar's upper rock and cave areas.
One account describes the ape as a 'public nuisance,' while another raises the mystery of the rock's 'beloved colossus' vanishing.
Effigy
A commemorative statue once graced the sea port that 'Barabbas' was rumored to have arrived at following his capture.
Sadly, in 1923, the statue fell victim to vandalism, and by 1929, it met its demise, leaving only the plinth in its place, devoid of any markings.
Descendants
During the 20th century, a series of unverified photographs emerged, purportedly featuring images of a direct descendant of Barabbas perched atop the Rock of Gibraltar.
Among these photographs, one from 1962 stands out, depicting a robust, ape-like figure donned in clothing.
Sightings
In the years following Barabbas's disappearance from Gibraltar, tales of his capture and escape became legendary. Reports of sightings, both of the ape and his handler, were common, yet many were based on hearsay or wishful thinking. Furthermore, 'old' photographs emerged, seemingly depicting the ape in his later years. However, these photographs are currently regarded as modern-day hoaxes.
Tradition
Each year, on September 10th, Gibraltar observes its National Day, a joyous occasion marked by reflection, enjoyment, and communal celebrations. During this festive day, Gibraltarians, along with their cherished pets, don the national colors of red and white and gather in the streets to share precious moments with family and friends.
Modern Art
The enigmatic artist 'Banksy,' renowned for his provocative and politically charged artworks, is rumored to be the creator of an oil painting titled 'The Real King of Spain.' As with many aspects of his work, the authenticity of this claim remains unverified.
Celebration
During the vibrant sixties, an unexpected party favorite emerged on the scene. Costumes depicting 'Barabbas' the red and white ape, a playful nod to Gibraltar's flag colors, became surprisingly popular among the tallest of partygoers, captivating the imagination and becoming a colossal hit at gatherings.
Popular Culture
The enduring tale of Barabbas has spawned numerous derivative stories across generations. In today's literature, music, and cinema, you can find indirect references to this original legend. Iconic Hollywood titles like 'Kong' and the American legend of 'Bigfoot' are believed to have been influenced by the story of Gibraltar's giant ape.