by Francois Clay-Tor
Harrison Museum of African American Culture at The Center In the Square opened a new exhibit “Tobacco People: Africa and the Americas,” Saturday, Oct. 17, knocking it out of the park for the large audience of attendees. This photo essay by a Roanoke based photographer, Sarah Hazlegrove, captures her journey documenting the integral role that Africans and people of African descent played in the commercialization of tobacco for 400+ years.
The exhibit’s poignant images are highlighted by captivating photographs of workers from Africa, Brazil, Cuba and the US. Photos and videos document the nexus from Africa to the Americas with a stunning revelation regarding the Franklin County connection with the Witcher Farm in Rocky Mount. Images of individuals and families highlight the increasing African and African American ownership of agriculture and commerce.
Hazlegrove’s penchant for tobacco evolved while growing up on her family’s farm in Prince Edward County, VA. What began as a personal project–recording a small community of people centered around the production of tobacco on her family’s farm–became the catalyst for her chasing the leaf across 3 continents–an experience documented through this amazing exhibit.
During the opening over 15 members of the Witcher Family shared a captivating narrative of their history as slaves on a Franklin County plantation… to sharecroppers and ultimately became owners of the land their ancestors worked as slaves!
Tobacco, The Golden Leaf of Virginia has played a huge part in Virginia history. The three most common tobacco types are Burley, Oriental and Virginia (flue cured) that is sought by many countries especially China that has the largest cigarette market in the world.
The crop is generally grown between latitudes of 40° north and 40° south and farms can be found in over 30 countries.
Virginia (flue-cured) tobacco with it’s light, bright aroma and taste is often referred to as “bright tobacco” because of the golden yellow to deep orange color achieved through curing. It is traditionally cured in heated barns (thus the name flu cured) through a weeklong process. Major Virginia tobacco growing countries are Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Malawi and of course the U.S.
Burley tobacco is light to dark brown in color and is air-cured in barns. During the long curing process, which takes up to two months, the tobacco loses most of its natural sugars and develops a strong almost cigar-like taste. Major Burley growing countries are Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Malawi and the US.
Oriental tobacco is highly aromatic. It has small leaves that are harvested leaf by leaf, much like Virginia tobacco, and sun cured in open air.
Cigarettes are characterized by their tobacco blend. Two of the most common cigarette styles are blended and Virginia cigarettes are primarily composed of Virginia tobacco. Some Virginia blends, called modified Virginia blends contain small amounts of Burley and /or Oriental tobaccos.Virginia blends typically do not use flavor ingredients .
Tobacco grading is a process whereby the type of tobacco leaf is one important element in developing a tobacco blend. After harvesting and curing A grade is given which describes the stalk position, quality and color. The grading system gives the blending process assurance that leaves of the right type and quality are used to achieve the taste and aromas of different cigarette brands
Tobacco has always thrived in the rugged hills of Virginia just a few acres of it kept many small family farms profitable. It became like a family tradition. A way to make money and a way they could send their kids to school and put food on the table. Tobacco has played a huge part in Virginia’s history since 1612 and became central to the state economy and the new United States in the 1770s. It was glorified and celebrated with parades and tobacco queens.
There appears to be a great challenge to embrace changing crops in connection with organic trends. Yet tobacco still tops Virginia’s cash crops. It was noted that last year it generated $124-million with soybeans ranking second with $80-million.
“TOBACCO PEOPLE – Africa and the Americas” is truly a thought provoking, must see experience at the Harrison Museum.
Remember, this is your Museum providing an opportunity for the greater Roanoke Valley community to be introduced to African-American history and discover the contributions African-Americans have and are making to continue the legacy.
Know and cherish your history!
