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View of the Colonial home on Labourdonnais’ estate reflecting the opulent lifestyle of French sugar cane plantation owners of the 18th century.

Slaves and Sugar: ‘Black Gold’ and ‘White Gold’ of Mauritius’ Economy

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In the 18th and 19th centuries, sugar was considered the ‘white gold’ in the commercial arenas of the world, but it was accrued by the scourge of ‘black gold’ – slave labor.  The tiny green emerald island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean managed to establish itself as a major supplier to the global demand for a luxury commodity - sugar. The early history of the cultivation of sugar in Mauritius is fraught with calamities, disasters and terrible human rights exploitation and torture, but the backbreaking labor of the slaves was not in vain for it formed the backbone of the economy of the island. The slaves’ labor left a legacy that led to the island’s independence and the status as the best growing economy in Africa.

Traité fardement confitures of Nostradamus (1555) (Public Domain)

Traité fardement confitures of Nostradamus (1555) (Public Domain)

History of Sugar

Sugar originated in Papua New Guinea and was later cultivated in China and transported to Persia via India by camel caravan. Ships carried it in their cargo holds on the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the returning troops of Alexander the Great in 435 BC brought it home.  Returning crusaders brought brown sugar to France and it was introduced to Sicily by the Arabs in the 12th century.   Nostradamus, who was actually a doctor named Michel de Nostre Dame, published his Traité des Confitures in 1555, claiming that sugar was valuable for preserving foods.  Apothecaries sold sugar as a luxury item. 

The glory days of Venice during the 16th century saw a hype of sugar confectionary architecture, decorating festive tables in the Venetian palaces. In July 1574 King Henry IV of France was entertained in the Doges Palace to a luscious dinner where everything, including tablecloth, napkins, cutlery, plates, center piece and even the chandeliers, were spun from sugar. A century later, France caught on and the aristocrats of Versailles, gorged themselves on delicious pastries.  By the 18th century coffee and chocolate became the favorite drinks of the rich, who required sugar to sweeten the bitter taste.

The family of the Duke of Penthièvre called ‘La tasse de chocolat’  by Jean-Baptiste Charpentier the Elder  (1768) (Public Domain)

The family of the Duke of Penthièvre called ‘La tasse de chocolat’  by Jean-Baptiste Charpentier the Elder  (1768) (Public Domain)

The Dutch: Foundling Sugar Cane Planters

The first seeds of the sugar industry on Mauritius were sown when the first occupiers, the Dutch, settled on the island in 1638.

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The author extends gratitude to Ms Sandrine M. d’Unienville of L’Adventure du Sucre and monsieur Jean-Marie Chelin for their contributions to this research, as well as the Bras D’Eau National Park.

Top Image: View of the Colonial home on Labourdonnais’ estate reflecting the opulent lifestyle of French sugar cane plantation owners of the 18th century. (Image: Micki Pistorius)

By  Dr Micki Pistorius

 
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Dr Micki

Micki Pistorius is a South African psychologist, author and journalist. As a child, Micki’s natural curiosity was cultivated by both her parents and developed into an insatiable interest in history, art and literature. Her passion for history, archaeology and human... Read More

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