Indigenous Culture...

There is only a thin record of the indigenous peoples of Barbados at the time of the arrival of Europeans, and what does exist is in no way in depth. The Spanish and Portuguese make mention of several Arawak and Carib settlements but stop short of making any real analysis of the cultures of these two groups. Initially Barbados was not seen as an important prize, consequently nothing was done to keep detailed records of the island and its inhabitants. By comparison, there are extensive writings on locations like Mexico and Peru due to their perceived importance. By 1625 when the British arrive there is no population to speak of giving cause for modern archaeologist to wonder what happened to the indigenous population of Barbados.

Archaeology has become crucial in the search for the answer to these types of questions. Recently excavations like Chancery Bay, one of 63 known Amerindian settlements on Barbados, are beginning to reveal those answers. The Arawaks and Caribs have emerged as horticultural societies, with tendencies toward inland planting and coastal dwelling. Archaeologists have found that the use of the hammock was widespread throughout the island as well as communal homes divided by sex. Ritual and ceremony were just as important as agricultural endeavors with evidence of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and hallucinogens. What little there is to be taken from European accounts comes in the form of superficial observations. Europeans noted the kindness, humor, and even fierceness of the indigenous peoples of Barbados.

As for the question of what eventually became of the Arawaks and Caribs, it is more than likely it was a combination of forced slavery and disease that left the island empty. It is of note, however, that within weeks of establishing permanent settlement on Barbados, Capt. Powell travels to Guyana to procure supplies and returns with a group of Arawaks travelling close behind. Groups like this also arrive from neighboring islands like St. Vincent, all with a knowledge of Barbados only a previous resident could possess. Eventually all 3o of the Arawaks that returned with Powell to Barbados would be forced into slavery as domestic servants. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that there were never more than 500 of any indigenous group at any one time.

The European settlers, and even modern Barbadians, owe much to their Amerindian predecessors. The Arawaks and Caribs would pass on knowledge of hunting and fishing techniques and, most importantly for the settlers, the domestication of several species of plant including cotton and tobacco. Eventually the indigenous groups of Barbados would disappear completely. The interaction between Europeans and indigenous Barbadians was intermittent if anything and led to little more than the destruction of indigenous Barbadian culture. There was no understanding between the groups, only a tentative toleration on the part of the Europeans.

Works Cited:

Gmelch, George and Sharon Bohn Gmelch. 1996. Barbados's Amerindian Past. Anthropology Today (Feb): 11-15.