Afrikan Burial Grounds on St. Eustatius to be recognized by UNESCO

Location of the Golden Rock Afrikan Burial Ground near the airport of St. Eustatius

The Golden Rock and Godet Afrikan burial sites located in St. Eustatius, part of the Dutch Caribbean, are set to receive recognition from UNESCO for their historical significance related to the legacies of enslavement. The St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance took the initiative to apply for this prestigious designation in February 2022. A formal announcement regarding the nomination will be made during a ceremony at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris on October 9, with a livestream available on their official website.

Mr. Kenneth Cuvalay, the President of the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the recognition of these burial grounds as part of the UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples. He emphasized the importance of this acknowledgment for the local community, stating, “Annina initially brought this idea to our attention while advocating for the respectful reburial of the ‘Liberated’ Afrikans on St. Helena, a British overseas territory.”

Cuvalay also highlighted the contributions of Annina Van Neel and Peggy King Jorde, who have played pivotal roles in advocating for the respectful treatment of these sites. Jorde noted that this moment is empowering for the Statia community as they confront the historical erasure of their heritage.

The Golden Rock burial site gained significant media attention in 2021 when it was threatened by plans for sand excavation to support airport development. This led to public outcry and a suspension of the excavation activities due to concerns over improper archaeological practices. A total of 69 ancestral remains were unearthed during this process and are currently stored in a depot on the island. The Godet burial site, also included in the UNESCO application, has been a focal point for archaeological research, often conducted without proper community engagement. Following fieldwork by a program from Texas State University in 2022, the site was left in a poor state, raising further concerns among local residents.

The recognition of the Routes of Enslaved Peoples by UNESCO marks a crucial step in acknowledging the historical injustices associated with the transatlantic slave trade. This initiative aims to promote values of tolerance, respect, and dignity through research, education, and the documentation of memorial sites. The application process, which began in February 2022 and was submitted to the UNESCO Committee Netherlands in November 2022,” seeks to break the silence surrounding this dark chapter in history,” reports a statement by the St Eustatius Afrikan Ground Burial Alliance.

However, challenges remain regarding the reburial of the ancestral remains, as Cuvalay has raised concerns about the local archaeological center, SECAR, which has yet to provide a necessary report detailing the excavation process. In response to these ongoing issues, the Alliance plans to host community events in November 2024 to discuss the reburial process and design a memorial to honor their ancestors, and foster a reconnection with their heritage.

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3 Comments

  1. Roseau River
    October 3, 2024

    Well deserved recognition. Makes you wonder how many similar sites exit in our region unknown to us currently.

  2. Jaime-Ann Lewis
    October 3, 2024

    Very interesting historical report. Imagine finding these remains after all these years, and the possibility of getting rid of the significance of this part of history.

    • Mary-Lou Karen
      October 3, 2024

      I feel as privileged, need to move on, although this doesn’t go as far back as Jesus.

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