Getting to know the British Virgin Islands

 From Pirate Hub to Tropical Paradise

    The British Virgin Islands is a collection of roughly 56 islands, located on the northern portion of the Lesser Antilles as part of the Leeward Islands. The BVI is composed of 4 large islands, 32 smaller islands, and 20 islands that remain uninhabited. The capital city of Road Town is located on the largest island, Tortola, which measures a total of 21 square miles. Originally populated by native Indian tribes for generations, old settlements and artifacts have been found throughout Tortola and many surrounding islands. The Islands would be visited many times through the years as explorers passed through on their way to the new world, however, it would be many years more before it was settled by the Europeans. In 1493, Christopher Columbus stumbled upon the islands and their beauty inspired him to name them after the legend of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgins. Although he and his men did not settle the area, the name stuck and the islands became known as The Virgins.

Captain Blackbeard

    After the Dutch first settled into the islands in 1648, a power struggle ensued. The Dutch, English, French, Spanish, and Danish all contested for power of the territory. It wasn't long before the area became consumed by piracy and Privateers, men who were given permission (letters of Marque) by their government to loot enemy ships. Some of these men began targeting any ship regardless of nationality, thus loosing their privilege to their letter of Marque and becoming true pirates. One man, Edward Thatch, became an infamous and widely known pirate by the name of Blackbeard. He was known for anchoring his ship in Soper's Hole and waiting for Spanish ships loaded with treasure to happen by. He also was said to have marooned 15 mutinous men on an inhospitable island called Dead Chest, leaving them with nothing but one bottle of rum and possibly, a cutlass (a popular sword used by sailors at the time). Many infamous pirate lords earned their place in history and it is for them that several islands were named, such as Great Thatch, Little Thatch, Norman, and Jost Van Dyk. All these tales of piracy inspired a man named Robert Stevenson to write a book called Treasure Island, as well as a sea shanty (song) that many of us have likely heard.

Dead Chest Island BVI

Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!

Traditional Festival Food

  Once a massive slave trading hub, the population mostly consists of the decedents of slaves, with a little mix of Europeans thrown in. The British Virgin Islands are steeped in rich culture and they passionately celebrate their Emancipation Day with festivals and activities that can go on from July to August. They hold parades, pageants, music festivals, boat races and even horse or donkey races, giving vendors plenty of opportunities to showcase their wares, art, and delicious food. Celebrations are colorful and extravagant, featuring vibrant costumes, local music, and performances. Despite the BVI getting off to a very rough start as a pirate stomping ground and then a massive slave trade, it is now one of the most welcoming and hospitable places to visit. The people of the Caribbean are very unique and have a special vibe that will imprint upon you and leave you wanting more.

Emancipation Festival 2019

Resources:

“British Virgin Islands.” Bareboat Yacht Charters in the British Virgin Islands, www.bareboatsbvi.com/uninhabited-islands/dead-chest-island.php.

“British Virgin Islands.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/British-Virgin-Islands.

“British Virgin Islands.” The Virtual Caribbean Library, ggccaribbean.wpengine.com/listing/british-virgin-islands/.

“History of Piracy in the BVI: Sail Caribbean.” Sail Caribbean | Sailing, Scuba & Community Service for Teens, 16 Aug. 2012, www.sailcaribbean.com/blog/history-of-piracy-in-the-bvi/.

“Our Cultural Events: Government of the Virgin Islands.” Our Cultural Events | Government of the Virgin Islands, bvi.gov.vg/content/our-culture.