Everyday life around the Well House is heavily impacted by the export of spices from Sri Lanka to the rest of the world. Whilst the Moorish trader who developed a large coconut oil factory 140 years ago engaged with the British colonising powers, this was of course very recent in Sri Lanka’s history. Sri Lanka’s previous colonising powers, whether the Aryan peoples of India, the Chinese Naval Commander some 1,500 years ago or the more recent Portuguese, Dutch or English overlords who colonised and plundered the Island’s treasures.
The success of exporting spices from the port of Galle may be measured in their acceptance in European markets and cuisine. The Dutch East India Company [VOC] which shipped spices from Java, Goa, Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka has evolved into the largest sea container ship transportation system outside of China. Based in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, the huge flotilla of cargo vessels criss cross the globe moving goods.
Dutch seafarers energetically sought out the comfort foods of home. They were responsible for most Sri Lankan bread, which is known as Roti. Other Dutch influences blended Dutch dining with local spices. Examples would be Cinnamon buns [Schnecken] pancakes and jam filled buns. Potatoes and pumpkin were quickly propagated in the colder climates of the hill country. Today they are staples in may dishes, with favourite pumpkin and potato curries.
Sri Lanka is a major producer of spices such as cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg, and these products make up a significant portion of the country’s exports. According to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, the country’s spice exports for the year 2020 was worth US$ 523 million. The major export destinations for Sri Lanka’s spices are the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.
However, the spice trade had a number of negative impacts on local communities. One major impact was the displacement of indigenous peoples as European colonizers and merchants sought to gain control over the production and trade of spices. This often involved the forced relocation of indigenous populations, which disrupted traditional ways of life and led to the loss of land and resources. Countless traditional medical treatments that were made from plants, flowers, fruit and roots have been lost to humanity forever.
Another impact of the spice trade was deforestation and damage to the environment. As demand for spices grew, vast areas of land were cleared to make way for spice plantations, which led to the loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction. Additionally, the intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers on spice crops resulted in pollution of soil and water sources, further harming the local environment.
The spice trade also involved the exploitation of labour, as European merchants and colonizers often relied on forced or slave labour to cultivate and harvest spices. This resulted in the abuse and mistreatment of workers and contributed to the displacement of indigenous populations. The Veda People [or Jungle People] are contained in a reserve and discouraged from interacting with the outside world. Tourist operators enter the reserve with busses filled with visitors, who are brought to see the traditional grains, remedies and crafts of the Veda. Sales of small items, from wooden rings or other jewellery, Kurakan flour or grain, children’s toys such as bow and arrows, carved decorative items or even a shared meal of heavy grain panakes and jungle bee honey are the sole income of the indigenous island dwellers.
For all it’s positive benefits, the spice trade had a significant negative impact on local communities and the environment, resulting in displacement, environmental degradation and exploitation of labour.