worldly wednesday: antigua and barbuda introducing a ducana recipe

The independent nation of Antigua and Barbuda is formed by Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda, located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Antigua and Barbuda is a part of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies. And, as we learned when we “traveled” to Anguilla, these islands were first populated by Amerindian tribes. Christopher Columbus “discovered” Antigua and Barbuda in 1493, naming the island after the Church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in Seville There were settlements by the Spanish and French and eventually the English, who formed a colony in 1667. Sugar plantations were the main source of income. With the English colonial plantation system came slavery. Before slavery was abolished (in 1834) the sugar industry in British colonies was beginning to wane. These islands did not fare well and struggled to prosper. It wasn’t until tourism became a significant part of the economy that Antiguans prospered. With a strong... Read the Rest →

 

worldly wednesdays: spiny lobster spring rolls a visit to anguilla

Being the first in the chain of the Leeward Islands, located in the Eastern Caribbean, Anguilla sits east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Today Anguilla is an internally self-governing British overseas territory whose Head of State is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor. However, the Amerindians that originally inhabited Anguilla were the Arawak and Carib peoples. And, according to Anguilla Guide, recent archaeological research tells us that “Anguilla was first occupied by indigenous peoples as early as 1500 B.C…were attracted to the area by the prime fishing provided by the extensive reefs nearby.” Prior to Christopher Columbus’ “discovery” of the new world the Caribs, a fierce war-like and cannibalistic people eradicated the island of Anguilla of the peaceful Arawaks. When Columbus sighted the island in 1493 he called it Anguilla for its eel-like shape. Anguilla is the Spanish word for eel. It is likely that... Read the Rest →