This is a list of Saint Lucian districts whose names were changed during the period of the French Revolution. In 1792, the freed people of colour in Saint Lucia embraced the French Revolutionary motto (“Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité”) and banded together to create a Colonial Assembly. The renaming of the island and the Quarters (districts) was approved by this Assembly to reflect Saint Lucia’s revolutionary agenda.
Saint Lucia was renamed Ste Lucie La Fidèle (the faithful).
Castries
A photo of Contemporary Castries from https://www.britannica.com/place/Castries
Le Quartier de Castries
Renamed: Ville et Quartier de la Félicité (Town and Quarter of Felicity)
Anse la raye
A photo of Contemporary Anse la Raye http://www.audleytravel.com
Le Quartier de L’ance-La-Raye
Renamed: Ville et Quartier de l’Égalité (Town and Quarter of Equality)
Vieux Fort
A photo of Vieux Fort http://www.tui.co.uk
Le Quartier du Vieux Fort
Renamed: Ville et Quartier de la Loi (Town and Quarter of the Law)
Gros Islet
A photo of Pigeon Island in Gros Islet http://www.encirclephotos.com
Le Quartier de Gros-Islet
Renamed: Ville et Quartier de la Revolution (Town and Quarter of the Revolution)
On 6 June 1795, Fort Rodney was attacked and captured by the Nèg Mawon. Historical accounts state that the “fort fell without difficulty.” Fort Rodney was the first of 3 forts held by the British to be seized by the Nèg Mawon, resulting in their silent retreat thirteen days later.
For more information: LA REVOLUTION…ONE DAY
Soufriere
A photo of Soufriere https://www.sandals.com/blog/soufriere-saint-lucia/
Le Quartier de Souffrière
Renamed: Ville et Quartier de la Convention
The district of Soufriere has been the seat of slave rebellions throughout the history of slavery in Saint Lucia. It was in Soufriere on January 1st, 1790, that the first slave uprising occurred in response to the French Revolution. Unfortunately, it was quashed, resulting in the murder of enslaved persons and their heads were displayed on spikes as a warning. A second revolt occurred on August 23rd, which was the catalyst for the exodus of enslaved persons from plantations a few weeks after. Soufriere is also the location of Fond Gens Libre (Valley of the Free People)and other Nèg Mawon sites. Interestingly, Soufriere is said to be the only place where the guillotine was used outside of France to execute members of the plantocracy.
SOURCES:
Dalphinis, Morgan. History and Language in St. Lucia 1654-1915. GLOM Publications, 2019.
Devaux, Robert J. They Called Us Brigands: The Saga of St. Lucia’s Freedom Fighters. Optimum Printers, 1997.
Harmsen, Jolien et al. A History of St Lucia. Lighthouse Road, 2012, pp. 60-88.
Sylvia Wynter's Dream 
Leave a comment