Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century when the Portuguese first arrived on its shores in 1502. Over the centuries, the island has faced numerous threats to its biodiversity, primarily due to human activities. The British East India Company settled on the island in the 17th century, following brief stints of Dutch occupation. However, these colonizers exploited the island’s natural resources, leading to environmental devastation.
Feral rats, rabbits, cats, and grazing animals introduced by humans wreaked havoc on Saint Helena’s fragile ecosystems. The deforestation caused by the felling of trees for firewood and tanning bark led to soil erosion, turning the once-verdant landscape into arid shrubland. Despite the scarcity of rainfall, many native plants on the island have evolved to extract moisture from the air, accounting for a third of the island’s freshwater supply.
In addition to environmental challenges, Saint Helena played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, one of history’s darkest chapters. Following the abolition of slavery in 1833, the British Navy intercepted illegal slave ships and brought more than 25,000 enslaved Africans to the island between 1840 and 1872. While officially declared “liberated,” many of these individuals were later sent to the British West Indies as indentured laborers. The conditions on the island were harsh, with overcrowded living spaces, food shortages, and forced labor leading to the deaths of many.
In recent years, efforts have been made to acknowledge and memorialize the island’s African heritage and the legacy of slavery. In 2008, the remains of 325 individuals were discovered during roadworks for the construction of the island’s airport. A larger burial ground containing the remains of an estimated 5,000 formerly enslaved individuals was found in Rupert’s Valley in 2012. This discovery prompted Annina Van Neel, an environmental officer, to resign from her position and work with the Saint Helena National Trust to develop a masterplan for a dignified reburial and commemoration of the island’s African heritage.
Van Neel’s mission, alongside Peggy King Jorde, an African American preservationist, and a group of islanders descended from the enslaved, is the focal point of the 2022 documentary “A Story of Bones.” This documentary sheds light on Saint Helena’s complex history, highlighting the intersection of environmental degradation and human exploitation that has shaped the island’s past. The efforts to honor the legacy of the enslaved individuals and preserve Saint Helena’s biodiversity are crucial steps towards reconciliation and healing.
