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Montserrat
KNOWLEDGE OF Montserrat
Montserrat’s early history has much in common with its Caribbean neighbors, although there are some differences. Like many of its sister islands, Montserrat was formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions, giving the island its picturesque mountain ranges and black sand beaches.
Its first known inhabitants were Saladoid Amerindians. They left traces of their way of life, which have been studied by archaeologists at several sites on the island, most of which, however, now fall in the unsafe volcanic zone. The best known and most thoroughly studied of these sites was at Trants, near the now abandoned W H Bramble Airport. Here, several skeletons were found, as well as many artifacts dating back as far as 500 AD. The Amerindians named the island Alliouagana, or "land of the prickly bush," which was probably named for the aloe plant. This name has been revived and used by several cultural groups in modern times.
Christopher Columbus sailed by Montserrat in 1493, although he did not land here. He named the island after the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrate, located in a mountainous region of Spain, which he felt had a similar appearance. At that time the island was reportedly deserted, although Carib Amerindians subsequently raided the island from time to time from nearby Guadeloupe.
The first European settlers arrived around 1632, and were probably Irish Catholics from nearby St. Kitts, fleeing persecution for their religion. Catholics from Virginia joined them, and Montserrat gradually became a refuge for Catholics of Irish decent. It has been noted that Irish people of all walks of life came to Montserrat, from wealthy landowners to poor indentured servants. These people gave Montserrat its now familiar name "The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean," and several aspects of the island’s heritage are attributed to the Irish. These include place names, surnames, the local accent (supposedly similar to an Irish brogue), and perhaps certain cultural and food items.
The governing power, however, was England, with some short periods when the French took over. The wars between the European countries were at their height, and these spilled over to the Caribbean. Remnants of fortifications with canons remind us of these times, although some of these are now inaccessible in the volcanic area.
Its first known inhabitants were Saladoid Amerindians. They left traces of their way of life, which have been studied by archaeologists at several sites on the island, most of which, however, now fall in the unsafe volcanic zone. The best known and most thoroughly studied of these sites was at Trants, near the now abandoned W H Bramble Airport. Here, several skeletons were found, as well as many artifacts dating back as far as 500 AD. The Amerindians named the island Alliouagana, or "land of the prickly bush," which was probably named for the aloe plant. This name has been revived and used by several cultural groups in modern times.
Christopher Columbus sailed by Montserrat in 1493, although he did not land here. He named the island after the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrate, located in a mountainous region of Spain, which he felt had a similar appearance. At that time the island was reportedly deserted, although Carib Amerindians subsequently raided the island from time to time from nearby Guadeloupe.
The first European settlers arrived around 1632, and were probably Irish Catholics from nearby St. Kitts, fleeing persecution for their religion. Catholics from Virginia joined them, and Montserrat gradually became a refuge for Catholics of Irish decent. It has been noted that Irish people of all walks of life came to Montserrat, from wealthy landowners to poor indentured servants. These people gave Montserrat its now familiar name "The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean," and several aspects of the island’s heritage are attributed to the Irish. These include place names, surnames, the local accent (supposedly similar to an Irish brogue), and perhaps certain cultural and food items.
The governing power, however, was England, with some short periods when the French took over. The wars between the European countries were at their height, and these spilled over to the Caribbean. Remnants of fortifications with canons remind us of these times, although some of these are now inaccessible in the volcanic area.
Chapi