(Provided by Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park)
There is a persistent myth that African slaves docilely accepted their condition, and many of us believe that there were no attempts in St. Kitts by slaves to escape their forced servitude. The following recounts the earliest revolt, the first in the islands, when a band of sixty men escaped with women into the mountains of St. Kitts..
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The Coat of Arms
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 The centre of the coat of arms is dominated by a shield at the base of which is a lighter in full sail. The lighter is one of the traditional means of transportation. A red chevron is highlighted by two poinciana flowers.
At the top of the shield on the blue background is the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur de lis and a rose. The Caribs were the early inhabitants of the islands, and the fleur de lis and rose signify the French and English influences. A helmet topped with the battlements of a tower appears with a flaming torch upheld by the hands of an African, European, and a person of mixed descent. The torch signifies the struggle and quest for freedom by a people of diverse ethnic origins, but united in purpose.
The shield is supported on either side by pelicans with wings extended, displaying a sugar cane plant and the coconut palm tree, which are extensively cultivated throughout St. Kitts and Nevis.
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The National Flag
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The National Flag of St. Kitts and Nevis features green for our fertile lands, yellow for our year-round sunshine, black for our African heritage, and red for our struggle from slavery through colonialism to Independence. It also displays two white stars on a black diagonal bar, symbols of hope and liberty. |
The National Anthem
The National Anthem was composed by Kenrick Georges. |
O Land of Beauty!
Our country where peace abounds,
Thy children stand free
On the strength of will and love.
With God in all our struggles
St. Kitts and Nevis be
A nation bound together
with a common destiny. |
As stalwarts we stand
For justice and liberty.
With wisdom and truth
We will serve and honour thee.
No sword nor spear can conquer
For God will sure defend.
His blessings shall forever
To posterity extend. |
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The National Flower
The national flower of St. Kitts and Nevis is the Poinciana or flamboyant, named after Monsieur de Poincy, the first French Governor of St. Kitts, who is said to have introduced it to the region . Its scientific name is Delonix Regia, and is said to have originated in Madagascar. The flamboyant is one of the most striking trees of the tropics, with its umbrella-shaped crown and its compound deciduous leaves, and red and yellow scalloped flowers followed by long, black seedpods. It blooms from May to August, and is generally used along roadsides or by itself. A fast-growing tree, it requires a deep soil but tolerates a dry climate. |
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The National Bird
The national bird of St. Kitts and Nevis is the brown pelican, whose scientific name is Pelecanusoccidentalis. In its youth, the brown pelican is brown on the head, neck, and upper parts of the body, and mostly white below. As it matures, the majority of the body becomes dark brown while the upper part of the head turns white. During the post-nuptial molt the adult's neck turns white. The neck and head are not extended during flight. Brown pelicans are sometimes solitary feeders, but may also be found in small flocks as they feed on schools of fish at the surface of the sea. They can be found throughout the West Indies and in the sub-tropical regions of the Americas. |
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The Story of the St. Kitts Sugar Factory is in large part linked to the story of many a Kittitian family. Opened in 1912, the Factory became the epicenter of life in Basseterre, the whole town operating by its horn that blew at specific times regu.. [ read more] |
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On Wednesday 27 th October 2010, the first Annual General Meeting of the St. Christopher National Trust (SCNT) was held and the Trust’s first Board was put into place. Of the thirteen members Board,.. [ read more] |
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Only very recently did the St. Christopher National Trust learn that the Basseterre Sugar Factory had been sold as scrap! A letter was immediately drafted and sent to the Prime Minister in an attempt to delay this decision which we understand had.. [ read more] |
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On July 15 th , along with the launch of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) Reef Monitoring Project being undertaken by the St. Christopher National Trust, the Youth Arm of the National Trust was announced... [ read more] |
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In late January of this year, the St. Christopher National Trust and the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dutch University of Lieden establishing a relationship between St... [ read more] |
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 HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate to us
Please make cheques payable to:
 The National Museum
c/o St. Christopher National Trust,
P. O. Box 888, Bay Road, Basseterre,
St. Kitts, Eastern Caribbean
Fax: 869-465-5584 Tel: 869-465-5584
email: schs@sisterisles.kn
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