Ortoiroid (early settlers), Arawak (Malliouhana), British Empire, Republic of Anguilla.
Arawakan-Indigenous, African-Caribbean, British Overseas Maritime, Salt-picking.
Low-lying Coral/Limestone, Crocus Hill (Highest Point), Shoal Bay, Rendezvous Bay.
The Valley (Capital), Sandy Ground, Island Harbour, West End, Blowing Point.
Fountain Cavern Petroglyphs, Shell Axes, Jocahu Stalagmite, Amerindian Pottery.
English (Official), Anguillian English Creole.
Anglicanism, Methodism, Roman Catholicism, Rastafari (Holy Piby origins).
James Ronald Webster (Father of the Nation), Robert Athlyi Rogers, Bankie Banx.
The Fountain Cavern, Wallblake House, Old Court House, Heritage Collection Museum.
Overview: Anguilla
The geographic profile of Anguilla is defined by its low-lying, “arrow-shaped” limestone coral formation, which sits as the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. Consequently, the thin, arid soil and lack of high mountains prevented the establishment of large-scale, sustainable sugar plantations that dominated neighboring islands.
Furthermore, the surrounding turquoise waters and secluded cays provided a natural sanctuary for the Arawak people, who named the island Malliouhana (Sea Serpent). Because the environment was ill-suited for traditional colonial agriculture, the inhabitants turned toward the sea, developing a profound mastery of boat-building and maritime navigation.
ART: Petroglyphs at Big Spring and Fountain Cavern represent one of the most significant Amerindian ceremonial sites in the Eastern Caribbean, featuring carvings of deities and geometric patterns.
HIDDEN TRUTH: Despite its small size, Anguilla was the birthplace of the Holy Piby (The Blackman’s Bible), written by Robert Athlyi Rogers in 1924, which became a foundational text for the Rastafari movement.
FACT: The Anguilla Revolution in 1967 saw the islanders expel the Saint Kitts police force and briefly declare themselves an independent Republic before requesting to return to British administration.
Rather than succumbing to the economic failures of the plantation system, the people of Anguilla forged a fiercely independent identity characterized by small-scale land ownership and seafaring resilience. Indeed, the 1967 Anguilla Revolution stands as a unique historical event where a small population successfully rebelled against a forced union with Saint Kitts to maintain its own direct link to the British Crown.
Moreover, the cultural landscape is anchored by a deep spiritual heritage, from the ancient petroglyphs in Fountain Cavern to the influential teachings of the Holy Piby. As a result, the history of Anguilla is one of survival and self-determination against the odds of geography and colonial neglect. Today, this legacy is celebrated through the world-class boat racing tradition and a vibrant, upscale tourism industry that respects the island’s tranquil “tranquility wrapped in blue.”
Cultural Heritage
The structural and architectural legacy of Anguilla reflects a history of adaptation to a hurricane-prone, limestone environment where water was always a precious commodity. From the Amerindian stone wells in The Valley to the colonial Wallblake House, the inhabitants utilized local timber and coral stone to build for durability rather than opulence.
Structural Heritage and Regional Mastery are best observed in the traditional “Anguillian cottage,” featuring hip roofs and jalousie windows designed to withstand high winds. This legacy is physically manifested in the Salt Ponds and the hand-carved schooners, showcasing a culture that utilized local limestone, sea salt, and mahogany to sustain a resilient economy.
| Art and Architecture | Wallblake House (Plantation style), Anguillian Cottages, Modern Luxury Eco-design. |
| Natural Resources | Sea Salt (historical), Limestone, Lobster, Fish, Solar Energy (modern). |
| Trade Routes | Maritime Caribbean Routes, Salt Export Lanes to North America/Europe. |
| Urban Engineering | Clayton J. Lloyd Airport, Desalination Plants, The Valley drainage systems. |
| Agriculture & Flora | Sea Grape, Lignum Vitae, Pigeon Peas, Guava, Cassava (historical staple). |
| Pottery & Ceramics | Pre-Columbian Earthenware, Modern Artisan Ceramics (Heritage Collection). |
| Metallurgy | Foundary work for Boat Fittings, Colonial-era Anchor Forging. |
| Glassmaking | Coastal Glass Art, Repurposed Maritime Glassware. |
| Military and Warfare | Repelling French Invasions (1745, 1796), The 1967 Revolution, British Intervention. |
| Textile Arts | Basket Weaving (Palm leaf), Traditional “Maypole” costumes, Modern Beachwear. |
| Numismatics | Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), U.S. Dollar (widely used), Historical British Sterling. |
| Maritime & Riverine | Traditional Schooner Building, Salt Pond Management, Reef Conservation. |
Society, Beliefs, and Daily Life
The social fabric of Anguilla was formed by the convergence of Arawak spiritualism and the communal solidarity of a maritime-based society. Spiritual Philosophy and Communal Life center on the belief in Jocahu (the Arawak God of Cassava) and the enduring influence of the church as a center for social gathering and political mobilization.
This cultural diversity fostered a social structure where the “Jollification”—a communal tradition of neighbors helping one another with farm work or house building—became a pillar of the national ethos. Intellectual life has been marked by a strong oral storytelling tradition and the revolutionary leadership of James Ronald Webster, while leisure is defined by Carnival, Reggae, and the beachside barbecue. This atmosphere of “Mateship” and seafaring pride produced a society that values tranquility and mutual support.
| Gods & Deities | Jocahu (Supreme Arawak Deity), Christian Trinity, Rastafarian Divinity. |
| Mythology | Legends of the Sea Serpent (Malliouhana), Ghost stories of the Old Court House. |
| Traditions | Jollification (Communal Work), Summer Festival (Carnival), August Monday Races. |
| Science and Philosophy | Marine Biology (Reef Protection), Indigenous Navigation, Rastafari Philosophy. |
| Literature | Oral Folk Tales, Revolutionary Poetry, Contemporary Caribbean Fiction. |
| Music & Instruments | String Bands, Calypso, Soca, Steel Pan, Bankie Banx’s “Dune Preserve” Reggae. |
| Medicine & Herbology | Bush Medicine (Aloes, Lemon Grass), Healing Salt Baths, Seaweed Extracts. |
| Ancient Games | Warri (Seed game), Cricket, Dominos, Traditional Boat Racing. |
| Achievements | Success of the 1967 Revolution, High Human Development Index for the region. |
| Astronomy | Indigenous Celestial Navigation, Clear Night Sky Observation. |
| Jewelry & Adornment | Shell Jewelry, Polished Coral, Modern High-end Resort Fashion. |
| Social Structure | Village Elders, Church Leadership, Communal Land Tenure, Egalitarianism. |
| Cuisine Roots | Grilled Lobster, Fungee (Cornmeal), Rice and Peas, Johnny Cakes, Conch Soup. |
| Ancient Fauna | Giant Hutia (extinct), Sea Turtles, Iguanas, National Bird (Turtledove). |
| Diplomacy | British Overseas Territory status, OECS Membership, CARICOM Associate. |
| Nomadic Equipment | Dugout Canoes (Arawak), Fishing Traps (Pots), Sailing Schooners. |
Did you know? Anguilla
Boat Racing is the national sport of Anguilla, evolving from the days when local fishermen would race their sailing vessels home from the fishing grounds or salt ponds to be the first to sell their catch.
Historical Timeline of Anguilla
The timeline of Anguilla is a record of human persistence, transitioning from the dugout canoes of the Arawaks to the high-speed ferries of a modern luxury destination. Early settlers from South America established some of the most intact religious sites in the Caribbean, treating the island’s caves as the birthplace of humanity. By the colonial era, the island’s lack of water made it an “unprofitable” colony for the British, which paradoxically allowed for the development of a unique society of free landholders and skilled sailors.
The 20th century brought the defining moment of Anguillian history: the rejection of administrative control by Saint Kitts. This defiance led to a bloodless revolution that reshaped the island’s political status and paved the way for its modern prosperity. Today, Anguilla remains a British Overseas Territory, balancing its historical seafaring identity with its role as a premier, sustainable travel destination in the Caribbean.
- 2,000 BCE: The first Amerindian peoples (Ortoiroid) arrive from the Orinoco River basin, settling the island.
- 1,500 BCE: Transition to the Arawak culture; the island is named Malliouhana for its sea-serpent shape.
- 1493 CE: Christopher Columbus sails past the island during his second voyage, naming it Anguilla (Eel).
- 1650 CE: British settlers from Saint Kitts establish the first European colony, focusing on tobacco and cotton.
- 1656 CE: A massive raid by Carib Indians from neighboring islands temporarily wipes out the British settlement.
- 1666 CE: The French launch the first invasion of the island, initiating a century of intermittent Anglo-French conflict.
- 1745 CE: Anguillian militia successfully repel a French attack at Crocus Bay, a major early victory.
- 1825 CE: The British government places Anguilla under the administrative control of Saint Kitts, sparking immediate protest.
- 1834 CE: Emancipation Day; slavery is abolished, leading many white planters to depart and ex-slaves to become landowners.
- 1872 CE: Anguillians petition the British government to dissolve the union with Saint Kitts and be ruled directly from London.
- 1924 CE: Robert Athlyi Rogers publishes the Holy Piby, which would later travel to Ethiopia and Jamaica to influence Rastafari.
- 1930s CE: The Salt Industry peaks, with Anguillian salt being exported globally for industrial use and food preservation.
- 1958 CE: Anguilla is forced into the West Indies Federation alongside Saint Kitts and Nevis.
- 1967 CE: The Anguilla Revolution begins on May 30; the Saint Kitts police are expelled from the island.
- 1969 CE: British paratroopers land on the island to restore order; the “invasion” is met with friendly greetings from the locals.
- 1971 CE: The Anguilla Act is passed by the UK Parliament, bringing the island back under direct British control.
- 1980 CE: Anguilla officially secedes from Saint Kitts and Nevis, becoming a separate British Dependency.
- 1990 CE: The Constitution is amended to grant the island greater internal self-government and autonomy.
- 2017 CE: Hurricane Irma strikes the island, causing significant damage but triggering a major rebuilding and modernization effort.
- 2026 CE: Anguilla leads the region in sustainable luxury tourism and the protection of its underwater marine heritage.
Sources & Credits for Anguilla
Sources
- Anguilla Archaeological & Historical Society (AAHS). (2026). The Heritage of Malliouhana and the 1967 Revolution Archives. https://www.aahsanguilla.com/
- Government of Anguilla Official Portal. (2025). Constitutional History and National Symbols. https://www.gov.ai/
- Petty, C. (2024). Anguilla: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way. Heritage Collection Museum Press.
- British Library Endangered Archives Project. (2025). Digital Records of Anguilla’s Colonial and Post-Emancipation History.
- UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. (2026). The Fountain Cavern: A Ceremonial Site of the Pre-Columbian Caribbean.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2026). Anguilla: Geography, History, and Economy.
