Barbados Sugar-Boiling Kettles

Boiling Sugar: The Bitter Side of Sweet



The Rise of Barbados Sugar Wealth. Sugarcane cultivation started in Barbados in the early 1640s, when Dutch merchants came to help with sugar cane harvesting. The island's rich soil and excellent climate made it the perfect location for sugar production. By the mid-17th century, Barbados had become one of the wealthiest colonies in the British Empire, making the nickname "Little England." But all was not sweetness in the land of Sugar as we discover next:

The Dangerous Labour Of Sugar

In the shadow of Barbados' sun-soaked coasts and lively plant lies a darker tale of resilience and challenge-- the unsafe labour behind its once-thriving sugar economy. Central to this story is the large cast iron boiling pots, essential tools in the sugar production process, however likewise painful symbols of the gruelling conditions dealt with by enslaved Africans.

The Boiling Process: A Grueling Task

Sugar production in the 17th and 18th centuries was  an unforgiving process. After harvesting and crushing the sugarcane, its juice was boiled in massive cast iron kettles till it crystallized into sugar. These pots, typically arranged in a series called a"" train"" were heated up by blazing fires that workers needed to stir constantly. The heat was extreme, the flames unforgiving and the work unrelenting. Enslaved workers withstood long hours, typically standing close to the inferno, running the risk of burns and exhaustion. Splashes of the boiling liquid were not unusual and could cause serious, even deadly, injuries.

A Life of Constant Peril

The risks were ever present for the enslaved employees charged with working these kettles. They laboured in intense heat, inhaling smoke and fumes from the boiling sugar and burning fuel. The work required intense physical effort and precision; a moment of inattention might cause mishaps. Despite these difficulties, shackled Africans brought exceptional ability and resourcefulness to the procedure, making sure the quality of the end product. This product sustained economies far beyond Barbados" coasts.


Now, the big cast iron boiling pots serve as reminders of this painful past. Scattered across gardens, museums, and archaeological sites in Barbados, they stand as quiet witnesses to the lives they touched. These antiques encourage us to assess the human suffering behind the sweet taste that when drove worldwide economies.


HISTORICAL RECORDS!


Proof of The Deadly Truth of the Sugar Boiling House

Historic accounts, such as those by abolitionist James Ramsay, uncover the covert scaries of Caribbean sugar plantations. Enslaved employees endured severe heat and the continuous risk of falling under boiling vats-- a grim reality of plantation life.



Boiling Down Sweetness: The Steel Heart of Barbados' Sugar - Visit the link for More

Barbados Sugar-Boiling Kettle


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance Of Hotels And Accommodation In Promoting Tourism

Image
The staff members who deliver the hotels in London services know how to treat their clients right. In fact, management emphasizes on good customer relationships. This way, they attract a lot of customers because of the nice talk at the reception. Also, the room service is excellent! The meals are always served on time. In addition, they are cooked by the best chefs in the country. This means that all the dishes served are finger licking. Customers can never leave the tables without at least having a taste of these delicacies. Recreational facilities are also in plenty in these hotels in London. Swimming pools are a must have so that people can take a swim as they relax their minds. Saunas and Jacuzzis are also common. They are the perfect places for relaxation for people of all ages that may not have a liking for the water. The sporty personalities are the most advantaged because of the many facilities such as fields and golfing grounds. They give people a chance to do some exercise ev...
Read more

Apply for employee retention credit ERTC: Easy Online Rebate Calculator

   The employee retention credit (ERC) helps employers retain their employees and offset the cost of providing health care benefits during these difficult economic times. The ERC is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of qualified wages paid from March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Qualified wages are limited to $10,000 for each employee for all calendar quarters. Eligible employers can claim the ERC on Form 941 when filing their quarterly employment tax returns. Employers must have experienced either:   • A full or partial suspension of operations due to an order from an appropriate governmental authority limiting commerce, travel or group meetings due to COVID-19; or • A significant decline in gross receipts compared to the same quarter in the prior year. To be eligible for the ERC, employers must claim an employer portion of Social Security tax on wages paid after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021. The credit is available for both f...
Read more