Donita: I read in the ship's newspaper that the
pigs were brought here by the Spanish.
Winsome: That's true; in our history we learned
that the French called the Spanish, “Buccaneers”
which means the method they used for cooking the
pork. It was meant to be an insult.
Sandra: Why?
Winsome: The Spanish tried to take over the French
lands by killing all of the pigs. Since the
animals were a big part of the economy, they
thought this would make the French people leave.
Donita: What happened?
Winsome: The Spanish drove them from their land
and a new plan developed.
Donita: A new plan?
Winsome: The people on the island were not
soldiers, but they were excellent swimmers and
sailors.
Whenever a Spanish ship was spotted close to the island, the
men would go out there at night and board the ship while
most of the crew slept. (They continue walking around the
animal area.)
Sandra: This is very interesting; I don't know
anything about this part of history.
Winsome: At first, the men would just steal what
they needed, but later they decided to start
stealing any Spanish ships that came close to
the island. Then they became proud of calling
themselves, “Buccaneers.”
Donita: I think I would like to learn more about
the pirates in this area.
Sandra: There's a library onboard the ship; we
can look up some more history when we go back.
Donita: Good idea!
Winsome: Now I didn't forget about your interest
in the Kalinago Village. It has a Confusing
history; you might like to read more when you
get back to the ship.
Sandra: Confusing?
Winsome: Yes, about 100 years before the Spanish
came here, the Tainos and the Cribs were
fighting. The Caribs wanted women from other
villages for wives. Then the Europeans came and
fought to get the land. Then when Columbus
arrived, he called the people, “Indians.”
Kalinago is the Carib word for the people.
Sandra: I understand why you say it is confusing.
I would like to read about the history.
Donita: I think we should go back into town now.
I'd like to see the fort and maybe do some
shopping.
They get into the cab. Winsome drives them to the north-west
coast where they tour Fort Shirley, named after the Governor
of Dominica in 1774. The buildings were in continuous use as
a hospital in the 1920's and then as an agricultural center
until it was closed down. Then the ladies return to the
ship.
Sandra: That was a fantastic experience; I really
learned a lot from Winsome.
Donita: Let's get some lunch, and then go to the
library. I'd like to read about the Pirates and
more about Dominca.
Sandra: We don't want to eat too much; this
afternoon there's a Filipino Tea at 3:00. I'm
really looking forward to trying food from
another country.
Donita: I agree; I'll just have a salad for now.
After lunch, they go to the library.
Sandra: (Reading from book.) Donita, listen to
this: “To this day, the Kalinago people fight
against what they regard as a misconception
about their ancestors. The film “Pirates of the
Caribbean” was criticized by the National
Garifun Council for portraying the Carib people
as cannibals.”
Donita: Well in this article by Wikipedia it
says, “Instances of Cannibalism were noted as a
feature of a war ritual.”
Sandra: What does that mean?
Donita: It says that cannibalism was part of a
religious ceremony.
Sandra: In my book it states, “Cannibalism was
only practiced when a Carib defeated his enemy.
It was believed he could take on the bravery of
that person.”
Donita: Here's another article: “The idea of
cannibalism was a lie. It was used as an excuse
to enslave or kill the native people.” Isn't
that what the driver told us?
Sandra: Yes, she did. Look at the time! We better
go change our clothes and go to the Filipino
tea.All names used in this story are fictitious.
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