Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume 2 (of 2) A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day

The work offers a sweeping portrait of Antigua, tracing the island’s evolution from the day the Carib peoples first settled its shores to the mid‑nineteenth century. Readers are treated to vivid sketches of Carib domestic life—women’s roles, canoe‑building, food habits, and the tragic disappearance of their communities—alongside lively anecdotes and local legends that bring the past to life. Detailed statistics and biographical notes on the island’s principal families add a factual backbone to the narrative, making the early history both engaging and reliable.

Turning to the era of plantation labor, the book presents an evenhanded examination of slavery and the subsequent free‑labour system. It explores everyday experiences of the Afro‑Antiguan population, from work routines and market scenes to music, dance, religious customs, and the complex web of superstitions that shaped community life. Interwoven personal stories and observations reveal the resilience and humanity of the island’s inhabitants, offering listeners a nuanced glimpse of Antigua’s social fabric before emancipation.