Figure 1.--There is archaeological evidence that Amer-Indians reached St. Vincent (around 150 AD). This painting here is not imaginary, it is a painting based on actual observation. It is a depiction of a Carib family in the late-18th century. We see, howevr, no indication of any modern influences. The painting was done by Italian artist Agostino Brunias (c1730-1796). He painted several depictions and we see no evidence of cultural transfer. Except for his treaty painting, he seems to have avoided the Black Caribs.

There is archaeological evidence that Aner-Indians reached St. Vincent (around 150 AD). Several Amer-Indianso arrived, each displacing or joinng with one another. Saint Vincent was first inhabited by the Ciboney people. It is not kbown how these Ameri-Indian peopl reached St. Vinceny and the other Caribbean iskands, but it surely was done by dug-out canoes. The Ciboney people were fllowed by an Arawak triubes. Arawak-speaking people populted large areas of northern South Amneruca. Tribes along the norther coast of South Anerica (modern Venezuela) played a major role in populating the Caribbean islands. It is mot know if they replaced the Cibioney people or joined with them. Given the nature of Aner-Indian tribal behavior, battles were likely, although the women would probanly have fared better than the men. About a century before the arrival of European explorers, the Arawak were displaced by Carib grioups also venturing from the northern coast of South America (14th century). An important devrlopment occurred on St. Vincent during the ealy colonial period, but before the European settlement of the island. An unknown number of African slaves escaped from nearby islands, especially Barbados, and somne how managed to reach St. Vincent. This would surely been by accident as few slaves would have known the island contained free people. Or if they somnehow did would have had the navigational skills needed to reach St. Vincent. They becamne known as Black Caribs or Garifuna, a population developing from intermarriage between the indigenous Caribs and the escaped slaves. Shipwrecks were also part of the story. A dutch ship wrecked in the Grenadines (1635 or73) and captive fricans suceeded in escaping. Thy eventually reached the Saint Vincent mainland.and joined with the Caribs.

Created: 4:13 PM 3/20/20222
Last updated: 4:13 PM 3/20/2022