Exploring Ancestral Wisdom: Reflections on Dr. Sonia Peter’s Lecture

Note: This is part of a series of posts related to storytelling the experiences of the 2024 Common Ground Gathering, held in Indianapolis (May 14–17) in celebration of the 10th anniversary of The Learning Tree.

Attending Dr. Sonia Peter’s lecture was an enlightening experience, transporting the audience to a time when African ancestors harnessed their deep knowledge of plants for survival and resilience during and after the period of enslavement in the Caribbean. As an audience member, I was moved by the depth of historical insight and the connection to ancestral wisdom that Peter highlighted throughout her presentation.

Dr. Sonia Peter is a practicing Ethnobotanist and Director of the non-profit organization the Biocultural Education and Research Programme in Barbados.

The session began with Dr. Peter inviting attendees to engage interactively, setting a tone of inclusiveness and shared learning. She emphasized the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of history, community, and health, using Barbados as a case study to explore the broader impacts of settler colonialism on forcibly enslaved Africans and their descendants.

Dr. Peter’s narrative was both informative and poignant. She shared how the enslaved Africans in Barbados used their traditional knowledge of plants to heal and sustain themselves under brutal conditions, providing deep awareness of medicinal properties that their European colonizers and slavers lacked. For instance, she detailed how the enslaved recognized the healing properties of various plants, such as Aloe Vera, which was used for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. This plant, among others, became a vital part of their survival toolkit.

One of the key themes Dr. Peter explored was the lasting impact of settler colonialism. She described how colonizers extracted not only the labor and lives of the enslaved but also the natural resources and traditional knowledge of the African people. The colonizers’ naturalists documented and collected plants, often without acknowledging the crucial role enslaved Africans played in identifying and utilizing these plants. Much of what was extracted, samples of flora and fauna, were shipped to Western museums and universities, providing intellectual capital for colonizers and creating foundations for the natural sciences. This historical erasure underscores the importance of decolonizing our understanding of botanical knowledge and recognizing the intellectual contributions of the enslaved.

Dr. Peter emphasized how decolonization involves reclaiming and honoring this ancestral knowledge. She posed thought-provoking questions about how we can nurture cultures of abundance, recognize each neighbor’s contributions, and develop our communities’ capacity to envision a more vibrant and collaborative world. Her emphasis on community healing and the importance of family ties resonated deeply with the audience.

One of Dr. Peter’s most striking elements was her discussion on how these traditional practices have transcended generations, contributing to the remarkable longevity of the Barbadian population. She revealed that Barbados ranks high globally in centenarians per capita (usually occupying the first or second place each year), attributing this longevity to the resilience and knowledge passed down from their ancestors. This was a testament to the enduring legacy of African ancestral wisdom and its relevance even in contemporary health practices.

The session concluded with an invitation to her tea workshop, which was held later in the afternoon, where participants could explore the traditional uses of various plants. This hands-on experience promised to further immerse us in the rich heritage of ethnobotanical knowledge, allowing us to connect with the past in a tangible and meaningful way.

As I left the lecture, I was filled with a sense of humility for the resilience and ingenuity of the African ancestors who faced terrible conditions and constant injustice. Dr. Peter’s presentation was not just a recounting of historical facts but a call to recognize and honor the profound contributions of those who came before us. It reminded me of the importance of preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage and the invaluable wisdom it holds for future generations.

Dr. Sonia Peter’s lecture was a journey through history, culture, and healing. It highlighted the extraordinary resilience of African ancestors and their ability to turn knowledge into a tool for survival and community strength. By focusing on the impact of settler colonialism and the process of decolonization through the use of plants, Dr. Peter’s presentation was a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring our past to build a more informed and connected future.