Barbados Sugar’s Unseen History

The Dire Side of Sugar: A History in Iron



Barbados Sugar Wealth. Sugarcane cultivation started in Barbados in the early 1640s, when the Dutch introduced crop. 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 actually become one of the wealthiest colonies in the British Empire, making the label "Little England." But all was not sweetness in the land of Sugar as we discover next:

The Hidden Dangers Of Sugar

In the shadow of Barbados' sun-soaked shores and vibrant plant lies a darker tale of durability and hardship-- the dangerous labour behind its once-thriving sugar economy. Central to this story is the large cast iron boiling pots, important tools in the sugar production process, but likewise painful symbols of the gruelling conditions dealt with by enslaved Africans.

Boiling Sugar: A Grueling Task

Producing sugar in the days of colonial slavery was  a perilous process. After gathering and crushing the sugarcane, its juice was boiled in massive cast iron kettles till it turned into sugar. These pots, typically organized in a series called a"" train"" were heated up by blazing fires that workers had to stir continually. The heat was suffocating, and the work unrelenting. Enslaved employees withstood long hours, often standing close to the inferno, risking burns and fatigue. Splashes of the boiling liquid were not unusual and could cause extreme, even deadly, injuries.

Living in Peril

The threats were ever present for the enslaved employees charged with working these kettles. They laboured in sweltering heat, inhaling smoke and fumes from the boiling sugar and burning fuel. The work required extreme effort and accuracy; a minute of negligence might lead to mishaps. Regardless of these obstacles, shackled Africans brought impressive ability and ingenuity to the procedure, making sure the quality of the final product. This item fueled economies far beyond Barbados" shores.





By acknowledging the harmful labour of enslaved Africans, we honour their contributions and sacrifices. Barbados" sugar industry, built on their backs, shaped the island's history and economy. As we admire the relics of this era, we should also remember individuals whose work and strength made it possible. Their story is an important part of comprehending not simply the history of Barbados but the more comprehensive history of the Caribbean and the worldwide effect of the sugar trade.





HISTORICAL RECORDS!


Boiling House Horror: The Truth of Sugar Production Revealed in Historical Records

The boiling house was among the most dangerous put on a Caribbean sugar plantation. Abolitionist authors, including James Ramsay, recorded the shocking conditions enslaved workers sustained, from ruthless heat to fatal mishaps in open sugar vats.



Molten Memories: The Iron Pots of Sugar's Past - Click the link for Details

The Iron Kettles of Sugar