Harry C. Moore Library Adds “Black Rinse, A New Perspective on the History of the African Diaspora in The Bahamas” to Repository

24^th May 2023

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS – A publication that adds to the depth of authentic Bahamian history about the African Diaspora in The Bahamas has been added to the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre at University of The Bahamas (UB) in a continuing effort to expand these documented narratives and make them accessible to a broad audience.

The author of “Black Rinse, A New Perspective on the History of the African Diaspora in The Bahamas,” Nana Safohene Jan Kwaw II (Christopher E. Davis) recently presented copies of the book to UB officials including Board of Trustees Chair Allyson Maynard-Gibson KC, President Dr. Erik Rolland, and University Librarian Elsie Bain.

“I actually dreamed about a day like this when I would write a book and be able to present it on such a high magnitude. The past two years, for me have been quite surreal, highs and lows, and I’m extremely excited that I’m now here doing this,” said Davis.

He explained his motivations for conducting the seminal research and documenting his findings, noting that he wanted it to reflect accuracies about Bahamian history. The book offers perspectives on Maroonage, or communities of escapees, the Inter-American Slave Trade and the complicity of West Africans as well as the roots of Junkanoo dating back to the early 18^th century.

“The reason we call it “Black Rinse” is because our historical narrative, both in The Bahamas regionally and globally, is very whitewashed, so we discussed the title came up with it [as] we wanted to make it provocative, but also [wanted] a title that speaks to exactly what the book is, what it represents,” said Davis, an Africanist. “I wanted it to be academic to a certain level, one that interests every bohemian to be comprehensive to every Bahamian. There is frustration [about] us not knowing our real story, our real history.”

Maynard-Gibson thanked Davis for adding to the historical record for Bahamians nationally and globally.

“Once Bahamians in The Bahamas, in the region and the wider diaspora understand our connectedness and that once we understand our heritage, our very noble heritage, it makes a complete difference in how we look at ourselves in our own immediate environment and how we look at ourselves as citizens of the world,” she said.

Dr. Rolland extended his gratitude to Davis for expanding the historical record.

“Thank you for patching holes in history that helps us to understand where we came from. This is a phenomenally interesting book and piece of history and I am really excited that we get to have your book here in our library,” he said.

The Sankofa Flamingo team also aided Davis in the publication.