Caribbean Women Bring Back This Dying Art 

If you have yet to hear of seed work, you are in for a treat. This form of artistic jewelry-making was first practiced by enslaved African women in Barbuda and Antigua. There are only a few artists left, and efforts are underway to preserve this art, empowering the younger people of our generation. Let's see how the Caribbean women are working to bring back this dying art. 

The Dying Art of Seed Work 

For over 50 years, Louise Edwards has been collecting tamarind seeds. They grow wild on the Caribbean islands, and she uses these seeds to create earrings, belts, and mats. She grew up surrounded by women who also stitched the seeds. Still, today, Louise is only one of five remaining artists on the island, and all of these artists are in their 70s. She says, "It's a dying art; we will soon give it up when we can't see." 

This art has been practiced for centuries in the twin island nations of Barbuda and Antigua. These twin islands are home to around 100,000 people. Seed work started among enslaved African women who were brought to the island. After emancipation, they were able to make a profit off of this art. 

In 2017, Jonas founded Botaniqué Studios, dedicated to revitalizing the practice. "This is extremely transformative in terms of my appreciation for what we consider to be uniquely Antiguan and Barbudan heritage artisanship," says Jonas. "It tells a powerful story of how we have overcome our challenges and are now at a place where we are developing our nation and creating economic opportunities for women." 

How the Seed Work Art is Made 

The Guardian website says, "The seeds are boiled in seawater and kept moist before being strung together by hand. On a side note, Edwards has lost a number of fingernails during her career due to accidentally stabbing her finger with a needle. Once the seeds dry, they remain hard for decades. 

It takes Edwards an hour to make earrings, but more intricate pieces, such as placemats, can take a week. "The young ones don't want to do it. They say it's too much work and not enough money for the work they put into it," Edwards says. 

But the workshops are a start to renewing interest, stated Jonas. Here is to hoping the dying art of seed work sticks around for years to come. 

CITED: www.theguardian.com, www.nytimes.com, www.bl.uk