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.

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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 |

Barbados Molten Memories


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