History and Politics

History and Politics

Dominica’s History and Politics are two subjects that become intertwined with each other as the politics have controlled the history of the island since before Columbus discovered it in 1493. From the indigenous tribes fighting each other for control to the Europeans racing to colonize Dominica the island has changed hands many times, which can be seen through the unique culture that exists there today. During these changes the politics of Dominica were altered as different tribes had different ways of ruling just like Spain, France, and Britain did too.

Millions of years ago fierce volcanic activity began deep below the sea, in the region known now as the Caribbean. Some of these volcanoes managed to push their way up from the ocean floor to become islands; the tallest of these islands is Dominica. Since then Dominica has seen many different inhabitants, some stayed for thousands of years while others abandoned the island as soon as they arrived. From the ancient Ortoroid, Igneri (Arawak), and Kalinago (Carib), to the Spanish, French and English, every group left their mark and thus Dominica has a very rich and diverse history.

The first inhabitants of Dominica were the Ortoroid who left the South American mainland around 3100 BC. They traveled in canoe type boats and used sails and paddles to navigate from island to island. One of the islands they settled on was Dominica, where they lived for over 2500 years. Evidence suggests that the Ortoroid where extinct by 400 BC. (www.Skyviews.com)

The Igneri or “Arawak speakers,” were the next group to live on Dominica arrived around 400 AD. They were a peaceful tribe that had also traveled by boat from South America, and dispersing to settle on a number of different neighboring islands. During the 1,000 years that the Igneri occupied the island, a well – defined culture was developed that thrived as a result of the plentiful supply of fish and warm climate that is found on Dominica. (www.Skyviews.com)

Sometime around the end of the 12th century AD, things took a bad turn for the Igneri. At this time the violent warlike people known as Kalinago, began to make their way up the Caribbean chain of islands, invading and conquering the islands they stopped at. By the early 1400’s they had reached Dominica, they named the island, ‘Wai’tukubuli’, which translates to, ‘Tall is Her Body’.