Picture a rugged island in the Lesser Antilles, where the Kalinago people carved out survival against all odds. While many indigenous Caribbean groups vanished within decades of European arrival, the Kalinago of Dominica held their ground through ingenuity and grit. This paperback dives deep into their journey, revealing how they navigated contact, conflict, and change.
When European explorers 'discovered' the Caribbean, they brought devastation—disease, enslavement, and land grabs that wiped out populations fast. But not everywhere. In Dominica's mountains and coasts, the Kalinago fought back, adapting identities and tactics to endure. The book unpacks this with fresh research, showing tactical retreats to remote areas and strategic alliances that kept their flame alive.
It's not just ancient history. Author details the shift through centuries: early defiance in the 1500s, refuge in isolated territories, and a 21st-century revival of traditions, language, and identity. You'll read about specific events, like clashes with colonizers and modern movements reclaiming Kalinago heritage. Praised by Caribbean Beat Magazine as an 'indispensable lexicography' for our Anthropocene era, it's accessible yet scholarly.
For anyone curious about indigenous persistence, Caribbean history, or Dominica's soul, this delivers tangible takeaways. Learn how cultural revival looks in practice—think community-led language programs and territory claims. It's perfect for history enthusiasts, travelers planning a Dominica trip, or those exploring First Peoples' stories. Shortlisted in the 2025 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature (Non-fiction), it bridges past and present with vivid detail.
Grab this to understand why the Kalinago story resonates now more than ever—resilience in a changing world.
