PRESS RELEASE
Dr. Artwell Cain’s landmark book on identity, memory, and resistance gives the St. Eustatius community a voice
ST. EUSTATIUS / 12 May 2026
On Saturday May 23, Afrikan-centered media platform AFRO Magazine will be facilitating the ceremonial soft launching of a special print edition book by people from the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, titled “St. Eustatius: Restoring Our Ties – The Voices of Statians Making A Difference”. The book is the end result of the research project “St. Eustatius: Restoring Our Ties” launched by the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance on 10 June 2025 and carried out by cultural anthropologist, Dr. Artwell Cain.
The book is a continuation of the Alliance’s previous projects such as “Reclaiming Our Stories: Restoring Our Ties” and “Remember Statia: Tracing Our Origins.” Mr. Kenneth Cuvalay, project leader and president of the Alliance, explains, “Previous projects of the Alliance concentrated on activities such as knowledge exchange and awareness that connected the Statian community to its Afrikan history, whereas this project focuses on the community itself, thus capturing the voice of the Afrikan diaspora community on the island.”
Through interviews and focus groups, respondents discuss various topics, including the role of memory and cultural heritage; the reburial of their ancestors’ remains, which were unethically excavated in 2021 without community engagement; the importance of social mobility; the significance of knowing one’s history; the role of their ancestors in resisting the chattel slavery system; commemorative rituals; and identity.
Following the publication in the Netherlands, in late June/early July a ceremonial public publication of the book will take place in honor of our ancestors and in recognition of the people of St. Eustatius for their undertaking in Afrikan-centered education to rewrite their distorted history and narrative.
In 2021, a group of international archaeologists commissioned by the government began excavations at the Golden Rock, an 18th-century burial ground of Afrikan men, women, and children. The purpose was to conduct scientific research on their remains, but the community did not consent. This act represents the centuries-long abuse of “black bodies,” continuing into the 21st century, now on Dutch territory. In 2024, the Golden Rock Afrikan burial ground was added to UNESCO’s “Network of Places of History and Memory linked to Enslavement” together with the Godet Afrikan burial ground, initiated by the Alliance.
In 2021, a group of international archaeologists commissioned by the government began excavations at the Golden Rock, an 18th-century burial ground of Afrikan men, women, and children. The purpose was to conduct scientific research on their remains, but the community did not consent. This act represents the centuries-long abuse of “black bodies,” continuing into the 21st century, now on Dutch territory. In 2024, the Golden Rock Afrikan burial ground was added to UNESCO’s “Network of Places of History and Memory linked to Enslavement” together with the Godet Afrikan burial ground, initiated by the Alliance.
As of this writing, there has been no announcement about where or when the reburial will take place. The Statia Cultural Heritage and Implementation Committee (SCHIC) of St. Eustatius, led by Ms. Xiomara Balentina, is responsible for organizing the reburial for the St. Eustatius Executive Council and has suggested that it takes place on November 13, 2026.
Our thanks goes to Dr. Artwell Cain, cultural anthropologist, who conducted the research; he was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and after many years in the Netherlands, he currently lives in Aruba for his extensive scientific work and contribution. Dr. Cain is the director and researcher at the Institute of Cultural Heritage and Knowledge. He previously served as the director of NiNsee (the National Institute of Dutch Slavery Past and Legacy) from 2009 to 2012 and is also the author of numerous books, including “A Sense of Belonging,” as well as various academic articles and essays. With special thanks, we take this opportunity to thank our collaborating partner Mr. Marvin Hokstam Baapoure, founder and director of Broos Institute, for his tireless willingness and contributions. This book is published for the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance by Hokstam Baapoure’s publishing company, HOX Projects BV, and the Broos for Afrocentric Studies and Research (Broos.institute).
The project is made possible through funding from the Culture Funds Caribbean region (CCG) and Funds Social Initiatives Transatlantic Slavery Past for the Caribbean Part of the Kingdom (SUMS-C), to which our gratitude also goes.
Simultaneously with the soft launch of the book, AFRO Magazine is also launching its latest printed publication, The Academic Edition, which came out last week.
The event will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 4 to 5:30 pm, at the AFRO Magazine/Broos Institute offices, address: Stationsweg 28, 1382 AB Weesp, the Netherlands.
The project is made possible through funding from the Culture Funds Caribbean region (CCG) and Funds Social Initiatives Transatlantic Slavery Past for the Caribbean Part of the Kingdom (SUMS-C), to which our gratitude also goes.
Simultaneously with the soft launch of the book, AFRO Magazine is also launching its latest printed publication, The Academic Edition, which came out last week.
The event will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 4 to 5:30 pm, at the AFRO Magazine/Broos Institute offices, address: Stationsweg 28, 1382 AB Weesp, the Netherlands.
