Beyond Massa.

The sugar plantation period in Jamaica took place between the years 1660 to 1834. However, it was sometime in the late 17th Century that the estate managers, Simon Taylor, saw the need for more labour to work the estates and pens on the Golden Grove Estate. This need for “more help” arose as the older natives and slaves became sick and were unable to provide the work needed to increase production. He also wanted to increase the labour force as the size of the plantations themselves increased in size. Because of these factors, the Chattel Slavery was introduced.

Chattel Slavery entailed the capture and movement of slaves without payment or without giving them any options. In a sense, they were practically kidnapped and shipped off to Jamaica as free labour under inhumane situations. These slaves became the sole property of the estate managers. Africans were the people of choice by the Europeans as they were accustomed to the climate found in the Caribbean, therefor they would function the same as if they were in their own country.

The Chattel Slavery, was preferred by the estate managers because it became harder to purchase slaves for replacement. It became a financial constraint on their part. So, stealing them, to use these words loosely, was the preferred choice. The increase and quick rotation and replacement of slaves was need as the sugar production developed with innovation to not just fields but with factories as well.

This innovation caused the required the increase in the labour force. As stipulated in “Beyond Massa” by Dr. J. Campbell, as a result of the increase of productivity, there was a “Division of Labour”. The slaves were divided into two gangs, and each gang was specific to the slaves’ capability.

The first gang was responsible for the field work such as doing the factory work and cleaning of the land. They were they vital gang and had to be physically capable of performing such strenuous tasks. The second gang composed of children and the...