The Bahamian Pineapple: The Rise and Fall of a Forgotten Empire | Bahamas History in Song

THE BAHAMIAN PINEAPPLE — THE RISE AND FALL A Forgotten Chapter of Our History Presented by AFA Digital Music Studio Performed by Kendell “Roots” Rolle 🇧🇸 Songs of the Soil — Farming in Abaco & The Bahamas Before tourism became the economic foundation of The Bahamas, pineapples helped sustain entire communities. There was a time when Bahamian pineapples were exported by the millions. Farmers cultivated the land, families depended upon the harvest, workers packed the fruit, and sailing vessels carried Bahamian produce to markets overseas. Eleuthera became especially famous for its pineapple industry, while Nassau developed commercial pineapple-processing and exporting operations. In 1864, approximately 2.75 million fresh pineapples were exported from The Bahamas. By 1892, exports had reportedly reached approximately 8.4 million. The industry supported farmers, labourers, merchants, shipping operators, and families across the islands. But prosperity did not last forever. Foreign competition, changing markets, declining soil productivity, shipping difficulties, and American import tariffs placed increasing pressure on Bahamian producers. The Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 and subsequent customs disputes became part of the industry's struggle to remain competitive. By the early twentieth century, the great Bahamian pineapple export trade was declining. Yet the pineapple never disappeared from our national identity. Its image remains on Bahamian five-cent coins, and Eleuthera continues to celebrate its pineapple-growing heritage through the annual Pineapple Festival. This historical musical documentary remembers the farmers who worked the land, the women and men who harvested and packed the fruit, and the generations whose livelihoods depended upon agriculture. It also celebrates those who continue growing pineapples in The Bahamas today. THEIR LABOUR BUILT AN INDUSTRY. THEIR STORY DESERVES TO BE REMEMBERED. MUSIC PRODUCTION Presented by: AFA Digital Music Studio Lead Vocalist: Kendell “Roots” Rolle Series: Songs of the Soil — Farming in Abaco & The Bahamas Historical storytelling through music, photographs, illustrations, and documentary research. HISTORICAL RESEARCH & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This presentation draws upon historical research and reference material relating to the Bahamian pineapple industry, including: • Harper's Monthly — nineteenth-century accounts of The Bahamas. • Bahamas National Archives — historical publications and records concerning the pineapple industry. • The Pineapple Industry of The Bahamas (1977) — historical reference publication. • Historical engravings attributed to F. Faller depicting pineapple cultivation and trade. • Historic photographs and postcard collections documenting pineapple harvesting, packing, and shipping. • Historical accounts of J. S. Johnson & Co. and the Nassau pineapple-canning industry. • United States tariff legislation, including the Dingley Tariff Act of 1897. • Historical United States customs and tariff cases involving pineapple imports. • Historical research on the development of pineapple cultivation in Eleuthera. Additional historical reference: https://bahamas174.rssing.com/a/the-b... Historical reading: https://www.victorianvoices.net/ARTIC... Historical film reference: https://thanhouser.org/TCOCD/Filmogra... Some images are historical photographs or reproductions; others are artistic illustrations used to help tell the story. Their inclusion does not imply that every depicted scene was photographed in The Bahamas. We acknowledge the historians, archivists, photographers, researchers, and collectors whose work helps preserve Bahamian agricultural history. ABOUT AFA DIGITAL MUSIC STUDIO AFA Digital Music Studio is a cultural storytelling initiative associated with the Abaco Farmers Association. Through original music and historical storytelling, we celebrate Bahamian farming, heritage, communities, and the people whose contributions shaped our islands. Our mission is to preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten and inspire renewed appreciation for Bahamian agriculture. Abaco Farmers Association: https://growabaco.farm Explore more music:    / @afadigitalmusicstudio   LIKE this video if you believe our agricultural history matters. 💬 COMMENT: Did your parents or grandparents ever grow pineapples in Eleuthera or another Bahamian island? Share their stories below. SHARE this documentary with Bahamians at home and abroad. SUBSCRIBE for more forgotten stories from the history of The Bahamas. The land remembers. The people remember. And through music, the stories live again. #BahamianPineapple #BahamasHistory #Eleuthera #PineappleFestival #BahamianAgriculture #AFADigitalMusicStudio #KendellRootsRolle #SongsOfTheSoil #BahamasHeritage #AbacoFarmersAssociation