The Lost History Of The Belizean Slaves: Uncovering The Forgotten Stories

The slaves taken to Belize, or British Honduras as it was known, were predominantly from the Congo and Angola, with some passing through West Indian markets. The British began importing slaves in the early 18th century to work in the timber and mahogany industries. By the late 18th century, the slave population in Belize was around 3,000, making up about three-quarters of the total population. While the slaves' experiences differed from those on plantations in other colonies, they were still subjected to extreme inhumanity and horrible barbarity. The last slave revolt took place in 1820, and slavery was officially abolished in Belize in 1838. However, the legacy of slavery continued to impact the country, with former slaves remaining economically dependent on their ex-owners and a strict racial hierarchy persisting.

Slave revolts and escapes

The slaves' living and working conditions were oppressive, and they were frequently subjected to "extreme inhumanity," as reported in 1820. The chaplain of the settlement reported "instances, many instances, of horrible barbarity" against the slaves. As a result, it is not surprising that slaves sought to escape their captors. The small, scattered, and remote nature of the slave groups made it relatively easy for them to escape, especially if they were willing to leave their families behind.

In the 18th century, many slaves escaped to Yucatán, and in the early 19th century, a steady flow of runaways made their way to Guatemala and down the coast to Honduras. Some of these runaways established communities, such as one near the Sibun River, that offered refuge to others. The option of escaping into the bush may have made revolt a less pressing option for some slaves.

The racial hierarchy in Belize, with white British rulers at the top, followed by mixed-race Creoles, and then African-born slaves, made systemic revolt more difficult. However, the numerous slave revolts and escapes throughout this period demonstrate the enslaved Africans' unwavering desire for freedom and their willingness to challenge the status quo.

The role of slaves in the Battle of St. George's Caye

The Battle of St. George's Caye was a conflict between an invading force from Mexico, attempting to assert Spanish claims, and a small force of resident woodcutters called Baymen, who fought for their livelihood assisted by Black slaves. The battle, which lasted from 3 to 10 September 1798, marked the final Spanish attempt to take over the area now known as Belize.

In the lead-up to the battle, there was some disagreement among the settlers about the best course of action. Some wanted to evacuate, while others were determined to stay and defend the settlement. The decision to arm the slaves and include them in the defence was made during a public meeting in June 1797, when the settlers voted to continue defensive operations. This decision proved crucial, as the slaves' participation strengthened the settlers' position and contributed to their eventual victory.

The slaves' involvement in the battle was not without controversy, however. The magistrates, who were the slave owners, were reluctant to bring their slaves forward for military service without receiving compensation. This issue was eventually resolved, and the slaves were promised freedom upon the ratification of peace with Spain. The slaves' bravery and loyalty during the battle were later commemorated during the centennial celebrations, where their role in shaping the nation's history was acknowledged.

The Battle of St. George's Caye was a pivotal moment in the history of Belize, securing the area from Spanish control and shaping its future as a nation. The slaves' participation in this battle, fighting alongside the Baymen, demonstrated their resilience and commitment to the defence of their homeland. Their role in this victory is remembered and honoured during the annual St. George's Caye Day celebrations on 10 September.

The lives of domestic slaves

The domestic slaves' experience was different from that of slaves on plantations in other colonies in the region, but it was still oppressive. They were isolated from their families and communities, often working in scattered groups in the forests. This isolation provided them with a degree of autonomy and made escape relatively easier compared to slaves on large plantations. However, their lives were far from comfortable, and they were subject to the whims of their owners, who frequently treated them with cruelty.

The domestic slaves' work was highly gendered and divided along rigid lines. Young people typically started as servants, waiting on their masters' tables and learning obedience. Then, most young women continued as domestic workers, while the young men became woodcutters. This division of labour limited their opportunities after legal emancipation in 1838, as they had a narrow range of work experience.

Some domestic slaves also cultivated provisions, which were either sold or used to reduce the cost of importing food for their owners. Others worked in various skilled trades, such as sailors, blacksmiths, nurses, and bakers, but these roles were less common. Overall, the domestic slaves' lives in Belize were characterised by hardship, oppression, and a constant struggle for freedom and basic human dignity.

The impact of slavery on Belize's economy

Belize's economy was shaped by slavery, with the labour of enslaved people driving the two major industries: timber and mahogany. The British settlers in Belize began importing slaves in the early 18th century, with the earliest reference to African slaves in the British settlement appearing in a 1724 Spanish missionary's account. By the late 18th century, the slave population in Belize numbered around 2,300 to 3,000, making up about three-quarters of the total population.

Slavery in Belize was associated with the extraction of timber, first logwood and then mahogany, as treaties with Spain forbade the production of plantation crops. This created variations in the organisation, conditions, and treatment of slaves compared to other colonies in the region. Cutting logwood was a small-scale operation, and settlers initially needed only one or two slaves to help with the work. However, as the trade shifted to mahogany, larger-scale operations were required, and more slaves were imported. After 1770, about 80% of male slaves aged ten years or more were cutting timber. The slaves performed various tasks, from finding and cutting the trees to hauling and floating them downriver for processing. The use of small gangs of slaves for cutting wood reduced the need for close supervision, and whip-wielding drivers, common on large plantations, were absent in Belize.

In addition to timber work, slaves in Belize also performed domestic work, such as cleaning, sewing, and cooking, and some worked as sailors, blacksmiths, nurses, and bakers. The slaves' experiences were nevertheless oppressive, as evidenced by reports of "extreme inhumanity" and "horrible barbarity". Numerous slave revolts took place, and many slaves escaped, taking advantage of the terrain and the freedom offered over the frontiers to flee to Yucatán, Guatemala, and Honduras.

The British settlers, or Baymen, monopolised power and wealth by dominating the chief economic activities of trade and timber. They also controlled the legislature, judiciary, and administrative institutions, allowing them to exert disproportionate influence on the development of the Creole culture and suppress African cultural heritage.

After emancipation in 1838, the former slaves remained economically dependent on their former owners, who continued to control access to land and capital. This economic dependency was reinforced through wage advances and company stores, which induced indebtedness. The legacy of slavery continued to impact Belize's economy and society for decades, with systems of inequality and power remaining in the hands of the families that had created and maintained slavery.

The end of slavery in Belize

The first British settlers arrived in Belize in the mid-17th century, establishing a settlement in the country's inhospitable coastal region. By the early 18th century, these settlers, known as Baymen, had begun importing African slaves to assist with logging endeavours. The slaves were put to work cutting logwood, a small tree that grows in clumps near the coast, and later, mahogany, which was more labour-intensive to acquire.

The slave population in Belize grew throughout the 18th century, with some sources placing the number of slaves in the settlement at around 2,300 by the end of the century, while others state the population was closer to 3,000. The majority of slaves in Belize were born in Africa, specifically Angola, the Congo, and the Bight of Benin or Biafra. During this time, the British settlers maintained administrative and economic control over the predominantly indigenous and black population.

The conditions faced by slaves in Belize were harsh and oppressive. Slaves were frequently subjected to "extreme inhumanity", as reported by a chaplain in 1820. Instances of suicide, abortion, murder, escape, and revolt were common among the slave population. Despite the small, scattered nature of the slave groups, which allowed for relatively easy escape, numerous slave revolts took place. The last of these revolts occurred in 1820 and was led by two slaves, named Will and Sharper in one source and Blacker and Blackest in another.

The British Parliament passed the Emancipation Act in 1833, which abolished slavery throughout the British colonies. However, the act included a five-year transition period, during which former slaves were forced to continue working for their masters without pay under the pretext of an "apprenticeship" program. This transition period ended in 1838, marking the true end of slavery in Belize.

Even after the official end of slavery, the former slaves remained economically dependent on their previous owners, who monopolised land ownership and promoted economic dependency through wage advances and company stores. This system of indentured servitude persisted for decades, with the families that had created and maintained slavery continuing to hold power. It would take over a century for the people of Belize to gain their independence from British rule.

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