Pt. II: Sustainable Heritage Tourism and Newton Enslaved Burial Ground as a Slave Route Site of Memory: Reflection on the Importance of Sites of Memory

A Reflection on the Importance of Newton Enslaved Burial Ground as a Slave Route Site of Memory

By Dr. Marcia Burrowes, Cultural Studies, Cave Hill Campus, UWI

While on a special tour a couple of years ago, two buses travelled together from the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre. I was the tour guide on one bus. In my introduction I mentioned that the Newton Burial site was included in the tour. When we were at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society (which manages the burial space), I pointed out the remains that were collected from the site. On our way to the Emancipation (Bussa) statue, I spoke of enslavement in Barbados and modes of resistance, including the 1816 rebellion. 

I also spoke of cultural resistance and the cultural practices that the enslaved engaged in, out of the sight of the planters and/or in clear view. An example would be the burial practices noted especially on Sundays in which they drummed and danced at the gravesite of loved ones.

I pointed out that when we reached the Newton burial site they would see a space, with a sign and nothing more. I, however, asked the passengers to be mindful of the fact that the site is a site of memory, and that its significance is what lies below.

A passenger then asked me if they could pray at the site. Another asked if they could throw libation in honour of the ancestors, and asked if anyone had water. Another asked if they could sing. I spoke to the bus and told the passengers of these requests, all of which were appropriate acts for a burial site. I told them we did not have drums, but could improvise…

To my surprise all but one passenger from both buses proceeded to walk to the site! Consequently, about 45-50 people gathered at the site, in front of the sign.

A lady- the one who had asked to pray- requested that all gathered form a circle. She prayed, spoke a chorus and asked us to repeat, and then asked each individual present to say a prayer. I watched in amazement as 45-50 people from Barbados, the Caribbean, the UK, USA, Canada and Africa, each said a prayer at the site. We all then sang, water was poured as we prayed and held hands in the circle. The lady leading the prayer then allowed time for personal reflection.

We spoke about the history of the site and detail on the various archaeological expeditions. We then allowed the passengers to choose what they wanted do while we remained there. One passenger opted to walk the circumference of the site. Some walked on to the site. Some took off their shoes before they walked. One pregnant lady walked and sat on a mound and stayed there for the duration. Others walked along the road adjacent to the site. Some took a picture of the sign and stood and looked at the site and then walked around.

I was then reminded that we needed to get going. I asked all passengers to return to the bus. Some individuals slowly drifted away from the site and/or stayed a while longer. Many passed me either in silence, or, actively talking about how they felt about the experience. Some stopped to talk to the workers at the factory, to ask them what it was like to work so near to the site. Eventually all were gathered.

Further, many thought that the tour had ended, that the site was the final point of the tour, so moved were they, as they said, by their experience at Newton!

I too was truly moved by these events, as the passengers of these buses created ways to bring meaning to this burial site, in memory of the enslaved ancestors. The collective refection lifted the tour above its fact-based emphasis and allowed for participation, not mere spectatorship. It was an amazing experience!