The Bitter Legacy of Sweetness, Sugars’ Boiling Truth
The Hidden Side of Sugar
The Rise of Sugar in Barbados.
Sugarcane cultivation began in Barbados in the early
1640s, when the Dutch came to
help with sugar cane harvesting. The island's soil and
favourable climate made it an ideal location for harvesting sugar. By
the mid-17th century, Barbados had become one of the wealthiest colonies
in the British Empire, earning the nickname "Little England."By the
mid-17th century, Barbados had turned into
one of the wealthiest nests in the British
Empire, earning the nickname "Little England." But all
was not sweetness in the land of Sugar as we discover next:
The Boiling Process: A Grueling Job
Making sugar in the days of colonial slavery was a highly
dangerous procedure. After
collecting and crushing the
sugarcane, its juice was boiled in huge cast iron
kettles until it took shape as sugar. These pots, typically
set up in a series called a"" train"" were
heated by blazing fires that workers had to stir
continually. The heat was
extreme, and the work
unrelenting. Enslaved employees endured
long hours, often standing near the inferno, running the risk of burns and
fatigue. Splashes of the boiling liquid were not
unusual and could trigger
extreme, even fatal, injuries.
The Bitter History of Sugar
The
sugar market's success came at an
extreme human expense. Enslaved Africans lived
under brutal conditions, subjected to physical
penalty, poor nutrition, and
ruthless work. Yet, they
showed extraordinary
resilience. Lots of
discovered ways to protect their
cultural heritage, giving songs, stories, and
skills that sustained their communities
even in the face of unthinkable
challenges.
By
acknowledging the dangerous labour of
enslaved Africans, we honour their contributions and sacrifices.
Barbados" sugar industry, built on their backs, formed
the island's history and economy. As we appreciate the
antiques of this period, we should
likewise remember the people whose
work and strength made it
possible. Their story is an important
part of understanding not just the history of
Barbados however the broader history of
the Caribbean and the global impact
of the sugar trade.
HISTORICAL RECORDS!
Abolitionist literature on The Threats of the Boiling House
Abolitionist
literature, consisting of James Ramsay's works,
information the horrific threats
faced by enslaved employees in sugar plantations.
The boiling house, with its
precariously hot barrels, was a lethal workplace where
fatigue and severe heat led to tragic accidents.
{
Boiling
Sugar: The Bitter Side of Sweet |The Dark Side of
Sugar: A History in Iron |Sweet Taste Forged in Fire |
Molten Memories: The Iron Pots of Sugar |
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