Barbados Sugar’s Unseen History
Bitter Molten Memories: The Iron Kettles of Sugar's Past
The Sweet Economy: Barbados Sugar Economy. Barbados, typically called the "Gem of the Caribbean," owes much of its historic prominence to one product: sugar. This golden crop transformed the island from a little colonial outpost into a powerhouse of the international economy throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Yet, the sweet success of sugar was built on a foundation of oppressed labour, a truth that casts a shadow over its legacy.
The Dangerous Labour Behind Sugar
In the glare of Barbados' sun-soaked shores and lively greenery lies a darker tale of durability and difficulty-- the harmful labour behind its once-thriving sugar economy. Central to this story is the large cast iron boiling pots, vital tools in the sugar production process, but also harrowing signs of the gruelling conditions faced by enslaved Africans.
Boiling Sugar: A Grueling Job
Sugar production in the days of colonial slavery was a highly dangerous procedure. After collecting and crushing the sugarcane, its juice was boiled in enormous cast iron kettles up until it crystallized into sugar. These pots, often organized in a series called a"" train"" were heated by blazing fires that workers needed to stir continually. The heat was suffocating, , and the work unrelenting. Enslaved employees sustained long hours, frequently standing near to the inferno, running the risk of burns and exhaustion. Splashes of the boiling liquid were not uncommon and could cause serious, even fatal, injuries.
Living in Constant Peril
The threats were constant for the enslaved employees entrusted with working these kettles. They worked in sweltering heat, inhaling dangerous gases from the boiling sugar and burning fuel. The work required intense effort and accuracy; a minute of negligence could lead to mishaps. Despite these challenges, enslaved Africans brought exceptional ability and ingenuity to the procedure, ensuring the quality of the final product. This item sustained economies far beyond Barbados" coasts.
Now, the large cast iron boiling pots points out this painful past. Spread throughout gardens, museums, and archaeological sites in Barbados, they stand as quiet witnesses to the lives they touched. These antiques encourage us to review the human suffering behind the sweetness that once drove global economies.
HISTORICAL RECORDS!
Abolitionist Expose the Perils of Sugar Plantations
James Ramsay and other abolitionists brought attention to the gruesome conditions in Caribbean sugar plantations. The boiling house, filled with open vats of scalding sugar, was a website of suffering, injury, and even death for enslaved employees.
Boiling Down Sweet: The Iron Heart of Barbados' Sugar - Click the link for More
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