Strawberries, Cotton & Sugarcane

  The Mina Slaves of Pointe Coupee: A revolt subdued; a culture defined Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana has always been known as the cradle of creole culture, with a rich heritage Rev. Albert Nelson rooted in diversity from its earliest settlers, French, with Spanish, Caribbean, and Indian influences . However, many of us have long forgotten the fabric of our origin rooted in a rich West African past . During the 18 th century, the Mina tribe who originated in present day Benin found themselves scattered amongst various plantations in Pointe Coupee Parish . The original settlers had established plantations that harvested corn, indigo, tobacco, cotton and sugarcane on land surrounded by the Mississippi River on one side and False River on the other . This fertile land was cultivated by victims of the transatlantic slave trade that originated on the coast of West Africa and began arriving in Louisiana under the French but continued under Spanish and US rule .   Most slaves w