The St Lucia history of Balenbouche begins with the first indigenous Amerindians, who came from Central America and lived on the island for hundreds of years before the Europeans arrived. Then, from the late 1700’s to the 1930’s Balenbouche was established as one of the sugar producing st lucia plantations by the French and British colonial powers. Slavery was finally abolished in 1834. In 1964, sugar ceased to be produced on the island, and in 1979, St Lucia became an independent country. For the past 7 decades, the former St lucia plantation at Balenbouche has been owned and managed by the Lawaetz family. Over the years, Uta, Verena and Anitanja Lawaetz gradually converted the property into an eco-friendly Guesthouse, organic farm and retreat center.
From Amerindians to St Lucia Plantations
Amerindians
Many Caribbean Plantations have a pre-colonial history which is often forgotten. Long before Africans and Europeans, indigenous people settled at Balenbouche.
Almost 2000 years ago the Igneri (commonly known as Arawak, which was actually the common language spoken by many tribes at the time) came to St Lucia in large dug out canoes. They were followed by the more nomadic and war-faring Kalinago (Carib) Indians around 1000 AD. When the Europeans arrived, the indigenous population sought to fend off or coexist with the newcomers, but eventually suffered a typical fate, with many succumbing to diseases or becoming enslaved. In the 1660’s, the remaining native inhabitants on St Lucia surrendered to the French, leaving behind only traces of their presence, such as beautiful clay pottery, stone tools, carved rock basins and petroglyphs, some of which can be found along the Balenbouche river. Amerindian traditions, such as cassava making and boat building, have left a mark on St. Lucian culture.
Africans and Europeans
The Africans, Europeans and East Indians who lived and worked on Caribbean Plantations gave rise to the unique West Indian culture and language of today.
Balenbouche was first established as a sugar and rum producing caribbean plantation in the 1740’s. African slaves were brought to work the plantations. The French and British fought over the island for many years, resulting in the colony changing hands 7 times before being ceded to the British in 1815. On February 22, 1979, St Lucia gained its independence.
Balenbouche was owned by several families through wars, natural disasters, financial troubles, and personal tragedies. The earliest known family name associated with Balenbouche is “Martin” in 1770. Between 1840 and 1860, the Estate was owned by the Gaillard de Laubenque family. When emancipation was finally enacted in 1834, 166 slaves worked on the plantation, which was then 587 acres, largely sugar cane fields. The community of Piaye to the East of Balenbouche was founded by freed slaves and retains a strong African identity. St Lucian Creole Dictionary app.
East Indians
Between 1859 and 1893, 4500 indentured laborers from East India came to St. Lucia. Balenbouche was one of the plantations where East Indians worked.
They typically worked for 3-5 years, receiving in return a small wage, housing, clothing, food and medical care. Eventually, some were able to choose between owning ten acres of land or ten pounds sterling. Others, after a further five to ten years of ‘industrial residence’, could get a free passage back to India. About half of all indentured laborers went back to India.
By the turn of the century, St Lucia had a free East Indian population of 2,560 persons in a total population of 42,220. Many of the East Indians who previously worked on the Balenbouche plantation settled in the community of Balca to the North of the Estate. The East Indian culture has influenced some of the food, art and festivals in St Lucia.