[3:16 PM, 8/12/2024] Pete Ninvalle: Wikipedia describes the Roseau Valley in Saint Lucia as home to the island’s largest banana plantation.
It goes on to say that “the Roseau River runs through the valley and enters the sea at Roseau Bay and that the Roseau Reservoir is a major source of drinking water.”
Elsewhere on the internet, one can find stories about the Roseau Valley Distillery tours and the vast banana plantations but little of the stigmatization that the community once endured.
With the launch of a new publication, it is the hope of those involved that not only will this stigmatization of “Jan Wozo” be eradicated but that the real stories of the community will now be passed on through generations to come.
“Stories of Roseau Valley” was launched on Saturday, August 10, 2024.
“Today is absolutely a joyous occasion,” declared Stanislas Albert, who delivered the welcome remarks.
Albert, who contributed to the publication, went on: ” As this story begins to unfold to the world, I feel very much elated. I feel that I have arrived, telling the story about Jan Wozo. I am a proud product of the Roseau Valley.”
According to Albert, for many years he and others were badly treated simply because their address was Roseau.
He disclosed that the book, which had been eight years in the making, is an unfinished project and that there is a lot more to be written about the Roseau Valley.
Also speaking at the launch was veteran Saint Lucian Journalist Earl Bosquet.
“What the world doesn’t know and we are telling them today is that a people, a community who has been written and spoken about historically, eventually decided to tell their own story,” Bosquet said.
According to Bosquet, the publication comprises different stories of the same community, coming from the mouths of the people looking into the mirror and sharing with us the history that has been orally embedded in their heads.
Sir Calixte George, who wrote the book’s foreword, described the publication’s launch as unique during Emancipation celebrations.
In his foreword, George wrote, “When one considers that jan wozo were widely considered to be the most ignorant, uncivilized, illiterate and backward people of Saint Lucia, this bold attempt by the present generation of the people of the area, led by Primus Hutchinson, to document their history for posterity, should be considered admirable and must be graciously complimented and applauded by all of us.”
One of the authors and the main researcher for “Stories of Roseau Valley” Hutchinson stated that the stigma of “jan wozo” once followed him everywhere.
“At times I felt like giving up and moving to the hills,” he said.
However, Hutchinson told the book launch ceremony that he endured because of Jerry George and Mathew Roberts, who ushered him into the field of broadcasting during his formative years.
According to Hutchinson, the idea for the book formed after Jacmel hosted Jounen Kweyol in 2016 and the recollection that Roseau had also hosted in 1997.
Both communities had won the “La Wen Kweyol” title.
Hutchinson disclosed that the book recounts the early history of the Roseau Valley: the settlers, farming, mercantilism, and the sugar cane era.
It also captures stories of the first extra-strong rum, “Denros,” and the experiences of those who toiled on the estates.
In addition, the publication chronicles Roseau’s rich history, varying lifestyles, supernatural stories of “la diabless”, and “garjay,” the early years of music and dancing in the community, and much more.
The book launch occurred on the compound of Saint Lucia Distillers, a place within the community rich in history.
Stories of Roseau Valley’s writers are Primus J. Hutchinson, Francis S. Leonce, Patrish Lionel, Stanislas Albert, Magarete Lubrin Aoki, Fr. Lambert St. Rose, and Bryan Auguste.
It was published by Roseau Valley Press & Jako Books and is currently available on Amazon and jakoproductions.com
PHOTO: Primus Hutchinson speaks at book launch
There is an African proverb that says:
Until the Lions have their own historians, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
And this is true for Saint Lucia. I have often wondered why is it that we as a society always denigrate other fellow Saint Lucians because they came from a different part of the country. Bouton is a typical example. I clearly remember some not so bright citizens in an effort to embarrass others would claim you came from Bouton as a means of insult. Yet, it says more about our prejudices, ignorance and self deprication , more over, self hate when we discriminate against others for their place of origin. I surely will look out for this publication as I want to learn more about Rousseau and hopefully various regions of Saint Lucia. I have perused the map of Saint Lucia on many occasions and often wondered with amazement at the origin of the names of these places. Some of these names have great historical events attached to them. Example Balenbouche, which when you look at it closely is simply Bal en bouche translated as bullet in the mouth. Does it mean that some of our ancestors were executed there during the slavery times? Or some other ominous events took place? Another is Beausejour which comes Beau sejours which means beautiful living or nice stay….which seems to suggest that this part of the Island had the best land and therefore was ideal for building and living…another is Malgretout which comes from Malgre tout which means nevertheless or inspite of everything. One wonders what inspired those names…..It’s obvious a lot of Saint Lucians are not aware of the vast history of our nation good or bad but there is a lot to be intrigued by….One major problem is that the majority of Saint Lucians don’t like reading and this is a consequence of the level of educational attainment on the island or perhaps pure lack of interest. Of course, efforts are being made to get the next generation educated via scholarships to study at tertiary level education but more needs to be done. I cringe when I listen to persons trying to express themselves. They struggle to find the words to speak. Thus, all these play a part in our lack of progress as a nation. Discrimination based on place of origin, poor educational attainment, lack of reading ability which consequently leads to the inability to deduce an argument, or formulate an coherent rebuttal to an argument. Thanks for publishing this book. I am certain it will go a long way to add to the literature In our society and enlighten us about the rich history we possess. We need more like this….
It’s still a shame to see how some of these same Roseau people are living along the main road. These are the descendants of those who toiled on the estate and they still live in those squalid barracks. Land from the estate/ distillery should be acquired to allow for better accommodations for them.