COD-1 2025 - Session 2 by STOSKIENE RITA

Isabell

2025-01-29 21:42:51 UTC

Today, I learned about slavery and the slave trade at the Caribbean Center. Slavery still exists in many forms, like child labor and human trafficking.

I also learned that Carnival in Guadeloupe began during slavery. Enslaved people mixed African traditions with European celebrations to express freedom. After slavery ended, it became a symbol of resistance and cultural identity. Today, it is a joyful festival that also remembers the past.

Finally, I explored the culture of Pointe-Ã -Pitre, discovering handmade crafts, local food, and spices. I learned that personal identity and a sense of belonging create national identity.

Johanna

2025-01-30 00:00:22 UTC

In the museum I learned that Guadeloupe became a French colony in 1635. From the 17th century onwards, French colonial rulers brought enslaved Africans to the island. The inhumane working conditions repeatedly led to uprisings.

The French had people abducted from Africa to their Caribbean possessions, where they had to work on the coffee and sugar cane plantations. Slavery was finally abolished in 1848.

"Why do societies always think that they are the centre of the universe?"

2025-01-30 00:15:23 UTC

Today, the group went to the city. We visited the museum, and I learned about the architectural styles of the houses in Pointe a Pitre. Additionally, during lunch, where we discussed our newly acquired knowledge, I had the chance to try two new types of vegetables, which helped me understand the local culinary specialties.

2025-01-30 00:18:45 UTC

If a cultural or educational trip deals, in part, with the history of slavery, and does so in a balanced, matter-of-fact manner and in a variety of artistic ways, as the Memorial “Caribbean Center of Expression and Memory of Human Trafficking and Slavery" does, that part will likely attract all the spotlight in your mind. One of the exhibits reads that present-day Guadalupean society looks beyond the duty of remembrance and the human tragedy involved and works towards a future of diversity, interchange and hope. The message of remembrance and redemption is illustrated, relevantly but perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, with an exhibition of Bob Marley's artefacts and his music played on loop. The museum also reminds us that there is still a lot of work to be done and that work is the reason we are on the Butterfly Island today.

Sebastian

sebastianschroeer — 2025-01-30 00:30:40 UTC

First of all, I was presented with the history of slavery in an impressive yet unfortunately disturbing way at the Memorial ACTe. What I found particularly unsettling were the many different types of shackles and torture devices.

Additionally the Ku-Klux-Klan robe reminded me of the great film The Jury, and I’d like to watch it again along with 12 Years a Slave. I’m sure I’ll be able to make new connections to today. Finally, in Pointe-à-Pitre, I noticed that, like throughout Guadeloupe, there are many different facets and contrasts. For example, on one side, there are the old, sometimes abandoned houses, and on the other side, the new government building.

Veronika

verroniquee2 — 2025-01-30 01:06:10 UTC

Today was a day rich in the history of slavery. It's inconceivable to me what the human who crave power, territory, prestige, are capable of. The short films, the presentations of life in slavery and the many devices used by white people to terrorise black people particularly touched me. I stood silent and speechless at the quote from Napoleon Bonaparte.

Mojca

mojcaruter1 — 2025-01-30 11:00:43 UTC

It was intense day. We visited Memorial ACTe and came out of the museum speechless. Unimanigable what sorts of different types for torture they used.

I can't forget the tree of forgetness in the museum, where people, who went for "work", left teir belongings.

Pointe a Pitre didn't disappoint us as well. There were nice building at the front paths of the streets but inside of the town the buildings are very destroyed. The charm of traditional Creole architecture is something new for me.

I have learned about Creole language, culture and food which was delicious.