This blog is a space to explore the Caribbean through it’s literature and healing history/knowledge. I am researching the Caribbean’s enslaved population knowledge of healing and medicine from the 17th, 18th and 19th century, and their descendants. I am also exploring the Caribbean through it’s literature as I believe it is an avenue to explore the regions diverse experiences and examine the running themes within Caribbean literature.
My interactions with literature begin from the English education system which included no Caribbean authors. Out of my own interest, I started to read more globally because I lacked authors and experiences outside of England and America. I recognised the lack of literature I know from my own islands and the Caribbean. The first book I read from the Caribbean was ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’ by Jean Rhys. The discussion of Obeah in this novel sparked my interest in Black medical figures in the enslaved and post-enslaved era of the Caribbean. I am interested in the power they had over the community and what they did for their community within enslavement and in a colonial society. I can’t remember why I started with this book or author. However this novel was the inspiration and kick-starter of my research which I explored in my masters dissertation.
My dissertation focused on Obeah influence in 17th and 18th century St Kitts and Barbados. I used newspapers, anti-Obeah laws, and court records. Using what I could to understand the practice, and the fear surrounding it. Questioning why it would be made illegal if the practice was ‘made up’ as English people had claimed in their literature. I now would like to use Caribbean literature to explore the significance of Obeah/healing doctors/herbalists in the Caribbean. Deciding to use Caribbean literature as a source because of the exclusion and oppression of enslaved people in typical historical sources.
A source that reflects the enslaved population’s experiences is difficult to find within the historian sphere of what is ‘acceptable’ as a source. I argue that Caribbean literature is a valid source as Caribbean literature is written from these descendants of this population and provide insight to passed down experiences and knowledge. Therefore shining insight on these community figures of healers/’witch doctors’ who did exist, but were suppressed by colonial society. This is how the two key parts of the blog are interconnected. This blog is not a fact file. This is a ongoing project and research blog. Many aspects are in progress and being tackled to overcome the source problems of the enslaved era. My articles are to expand on key themes and takings from my research rather than formatting my research in the academic process of a larger research paper. I am open for discussion and contributions to any who would like to. Either to leave a comment on this website or by email. A open discussion keeps things flowing and we all get to learn together. A community of sorts of creating knowledge and resources to continue learning about the Caribbean and reclaim knowledge.
