ASKaND Consults With Prominent SKN Historian

This month, we have been very fortunate to make contact with St Kitts and Nevis’ foremost historian Mr Leonard Stapleton.

Mr Stapleton was a school teacher for many years; but his passion for St Kitts and Nevis and the need to preserve our history culture and traditions, lead him to his new career path as a historian.

As such, we at ASKaND were very keen to talk with him; primarily to ensure we got the right elements into our St Kitts & Nevis Heritage Day. However, after some discussion, we realised what an accurate and reliable source of island information he was. We saw a way to start developing learning opportunities for us, in the UK, to start learning about our islands in a meaningful way.

Mr Stapleton has already started the ball rolling with his own book, entitled: ‘Places of Memory: Experiences and Contributions of the Enslaved Africans on St. Kitts and Nevis’

The book captures the rich history of St. Kitts and Nevis by focusing on the heritage sites that recall the story of the enslaved Africans. The book describes these heritage sites as ‘Places of Memory’ which provide evidence and echoes of the experiences and contributions of those Africans to St. Kitts and Nevis.

The book takes the reader on a journey through time and also, on a journey around our two beautiful islands. This is brilliantly accomplished by blending rich, rare and lively accounts of the enslaved Africans at the various ‘Places of Memory’ with an abundant complement and array of relevant illustrations.

The book examines the life and times of African slaves on St. Kitts and Nevis using four themes.

The first theme, ‘Adaptation and Survival’, explores how those Africans relied on the strength of their body, mind, and spirit to survive the horrors of their capture, journey over rough terrain and seas, and the hard plantation life on St. Kitts and Nevis. Using stories associated with particular ’Places of Memory’ on both islands, this theme gives rare and significant insight on how those Africans adapted to their new life in the Caribbean. The stories intrigue and inspire readers as they learn of how the slaves were able draw from their rich traditions, and customs, while at the same time learn and draw from the culture, traditions and customs of the European masters in order to adapt to and survive a life of slavery.

The second theme, ‘Resistance and Revolt’ tells of overt and covert ways the Africans demonstrated their rejection of slavery as a way of life for themselves, their children and other descendants. The ‘Places of Memory’ in this theme recall accounts that serve to inspire readers to persevere and draw from the strength and example of the enslaved Africans who resisted and, in some cases, overcame the terrible circumstances of slavery.

The ‘Human Rights’ theme references the most ‘Places of Memory’. This section of the book focuses on the elements that tell of the experiences of the slaves on St. Kitts and Nevis in a time and place where they were deprived of their human rights. Equally, this section of the book highlights ‘Places of Memory’ that remind us and tell the stories of white European individuals (and institutions) who dedicated much of their time, energy and resources towards the struggle for the rights of the enslaved Africans.

The fourth and final theme, ‘Productivity and Contribution’ brings a sense of pride and inspires industriousness to readers, especially the descendants of those African men and women. Some of these ‘Places of Memory’ are time capsules and enduring testimonies of the productivity and contributions of those Africans. The Bath Hotel in Nevis and the Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts are two outstanding examples. This section of the book also puts the spotlight on those ‘Places of Memory’ built by the Africans that have become associated with events and personalities of universal renown and significance.

‘Places of Memory’ is written to enlighten and inspire both old and young readers. It is written in simple language with ample illustrations to accommodate readers as young as Grade 3 students. The book is divided into four themes that are relevant to the themes covered by Secondary School History students. However, though the language is simple and easy to read, the content is deep, well researched and profound enough for the serious adult reader and tertiary scholar to appreciate.