Indigo - The early roots of fashion

Many years ago, Grenada grew indigo. Indigo is a native plant of India. Indigo was first grown in Grenada in the 1650s. The crop was also grown in Carriacou.

According to A to Z Of Grenada Heritage by John Angus Martin, in 1687, there were 21 indigo factories, increasing to 159 by 1722.

What is Indigo?:

Indigo is a shrub which grows in tropical areas. Indigo power is used in the textile industry globally. Indigo power is extracted from the leaves of the Indigo plant. The leaves are harvested, dried and grounded into indigo powder. Indigo power is blue in colour. The blue can range from a pale blue to a deep dark blue or almost dark purple.

Colours of Indigo

Origin

Indigo was planted by the Amerindian people. They were the first inhabitants of the land, and grew indigo. The planting of indigo eventually dwindled with the shift to focus on "King Sugar" to meet the demand for sugar in Europe. Also, the production of coffee contributed to the decline of indigo. By the 1800s, indigo had disappeared completely.

Carriacou

The Ningo well is a historical site that was used in indigo production in the early 1800s. The Ningo well had four indigo vats that can be used for the production of indigo dye.

Source:

A to Z of Grenada Heritage by John Angus Martin

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