Turtles & Turtling
The Cayman Islands’ waters once teemed with turtles, so many that an early Spanish colonial name for the islands was ‘Las Tortugas’. Throughout the 16th to 18th centuries, the islands served as a waypoint for passing ships to feed their crew with fresh and dried turtle meat. By the close of the 18th century, turtle populations around the islands had vastly declined, sending turtle rangers further abroad to Cuba and Central America, building a booming economic industry that, alongside the export of silver thatch products, supported life on the islands. In this video, you’ll hear from Geddes Hislop, Curator of Terrestrial Exhibits and Education Programmes at the Cayman Turtle Centre about the history of turtles and turtling in Cayman, and current efforts to conserve both turtle species and cultural traditions. You will then hear seafarer and craftsman Araunah Powery speak about common turtling practices, before artist Chris Chrisitan shares how his childhood inspired the National Collection artwork, Reflecting.
Video coming soon.
Additional Turtles and Turtling Resources
Contact these partner organisations to learn more about turtles and turtling:
Cayman Turtle Centre Cayman Islands Seafaring Association Cayman Catboat Club Cayman Maritime Heritage Foundation
More National Collection artworks and exhibitions about the Turtles and Turtling:
