Bittersweet: Legacies of Sugar

Bittersweet: Legacies of Sugar was a creative heritage project exploring the complex histories and legacies of sugar, including its connections to the Caribbean, enslavement, migration, industry and the development and enrichment of London by the Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group (NACHRG).

StoryTellThem designed and facilitated an immersive, sensory workshop that invited participants to explore these histories through conversation, music, taste, touch, imagery and creative making.

A Sensory Journey Through Sugar

We wanted the experience to move beyond simply talking about history and create opportunities for participants to feel, hear, taste and explore the story of sugar.

Participants were invited to handle sugar cane and learn more about the plant and its journey from cultivation to the products and industries associated with sugar.

Sugar cane juice was served for participants to taste, creating a direct sensory connection with the subject of the project.

Music was also central to the experience. We played Caribbean music, including calypso and soca, creating an atmosphere rooted in Caribbean cultural experience. “Sugar Bum” by Lord Kitchener provided a particularly playful connection to the theme, alongside other soca tracks selected for the workshop.

Exploring the Bittersweet History of Sugar

The session included facilitated discussion exploring the history and legacy of sugar, including its contribution to the wealth and development of London alongside the devastating histories of enslavement and exploitation that underpinned the sugar trade.

This tension was central to the idea of Bittersweet, recognising both the cultural and economic legacies of sugar and the human cost behind them.

Participants were encouraged to consider how these histories connect with Caribbean heritage, migration, family, community and contemporary life.

Creating the Zine

StoryTellThem facilitated a collaborative zine-making activity, giving participants the opportunity to respond creatively to the themes explored during the session.

We provided a wide range of materials, including:

• African and Caribbean-inspired printed materials
• Images representing Caribbean countries and communities
• Stickers, photographs and visual materials
• Images and references connected to sugar and sweets
• Creative materials for collage, writing and zine-making

Participants created their own personal responses to the history, memories, ideas and conversations explored during the workshop.

The zines were designed to be both personal and archival, capturing individual perspectives while creating a creative record of the project and the stories, heritage and memories connected to sugar.

What StoryTellThem Brought

StoryTellThem designed and facilitated the creative experience following a concise brief from NACHRG; bringing together:

Research & storytelling
Exploring the histories and legacies of sugar.

Sensory engagement
Using sugar cane, sugar cane juice, music, imagery and conversation to create an immersive experience.

Cultural connection
Drawing on Caribbean music, imagery and heritage to create a culturally meaningful environment.

Creative participation
Facilitating zine-making and providing the materials, prompts and space for participants to create.

Community memory
Creating a tangible record of participants' reflections, experiences and responses.

The Experience

Rather than simply learning about the history of sugar, participants were invited to experience the story through their senses and respond to it creatively.

The result was an immersive community heritage experience bringing together history, culture, creativity, conversation and memory.

Bittersweet: Legacies of Sugar by NACHRG, enabled StoryTellThem to use creative practice and storytelling to explore complex histories and create meaningful opportunities for people to connect with culture, heritage and one another.

We also captured instant Polaroid photographs of participants during the creative process, giving them a tangible memento of their experience. Participants could take their photographs home, or incorporate them into their zines as part of the personal and visual record of the project.

We would like to thank Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group for commissioning Storytellthem to contribute to such an important programme.