The islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus on his fourth and last trip to America, in 1504.
Corn Island, along with the eastern half of Nicaragua, were a protectorate of the British Empire from 1655 to 1894, a period in which the region was called the Mosquito Coast. At some point, the islands were frequented by European pirates.
On August 27, 1841, a warship with English and Mosquitian authorities arrived in South West Bay to carry out the order of Queen Victoria of England to declare the freedom of all the slaves on the island.
In 1894 the Nicaraguan government claimed the area. The islands were given to the United States for a 99-year lease by virtue of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty of August 05, 1914. Under the terms of that treaty, they were subject to North American laws, but Nicaraguan sovereignty was maintained.
The Americans maintained the right to the actual or potential utility of the islands until April 25, 1971, the date on which the agreement was officially canceled with the repeal of the Treaty.
Artistic expressions and manifestations
Dance
The most representative of Corn Island is the music and dance of the Maypole, the “Plot Role” and the “Ribbon Pole”.
Legends
Anancy Story or Bredda Nancy: Anancy's story is of African origin and is over a thousand years old. Anancy is a very clever and cunning spider, given to compete with other beings of the animal kingdom, such as the monkey, the rabbit and the pig, whom she defeats thanks to her tricks, her cunning, her wisdom and her experience.
The stories of Anancy or Bredda Nancy are very varied, and they usually speak of the solidarity and friendship that should reign among friends in the face of the adversities of destiny.
Legend of the hidden treasure: According to the elders, this legend dates back to historical events of the XNUMXth century, when pirates hid in Bragman's Bluff, a loot of gold that they stole from the Spanish.
Other Corn Island legends include
Nathan's Adventure and mediation between the living and the dead.
Other sites of historical and cultural interest
Monument the soul of the world or The soul of the world: is located in the center of the Quinn Hill playground. It represents an astrological discovery worldwide; its name was conceived after identifying that this site is one of the eight angular points that connect the terrestrial globe in an imaginary cube. The pyramid-shaped sculpture is a tribute to the Goddess of Mother Earth.
rinkywish: archaeological site located in the Quinn Hill neighborhood, Long Bay sector. According to studies carried out by the BICU-CIDCA University, it was created by our ancestors, who used it as a territorial demarcation of private property.
Wall and Tomb of the Slaves: The rock wall was built by the slaves who inhabited the island and were used as fences to divide the properties of their owners. In the center of the wall is the tomb of the slaves, a site of great historical and archaeological interest where some of the slaves who died in the middle of labor in the XNUMXth century were buried.
Derodawell- Ancient Well: Historic site located in the Quinn Hill neighborhood, Sourh West Bay Sector. It is the oldest well on the island, historically where all the people of the hill used to go down to consume the water. It is said that the buccaneers supplied themselves with water for their consumption.
Mount Pleasant Hill: is another archeological site on Great Corn Island. Set of basalt-type rocks, located on the southern slope of the hill, which present a series of evidences of human work (carved mortars) on the surface of the rocks.
Springhole: It is a freshwater spring surrounded by rocks, where the inhabitants of Little Hill obtained their drinking water, washed and bathed, it is interesting to know. It is in the northern part of the island.
El Sunken galleon cannon, here you can learn about the cannons and an anchor found at a depth of four meters, dating back four centuries. Located in Brig Bay Park. Two of these canyons are located in Brig Bay Park.
El Monument of the freedom of slaves, It is located in the Casa de la Cultura, the center for the development of cultural activities and an exhibition of island art.
Crafts
Making musical instruments: horse jaw, shake-shake (maracas), the wash tub (wash tub) and grater with fork.
Wood crafts: figures of animals, plants and people.
Gallery
Tourist Offer Map