Indigo is the world’s oldest known dye. It was first used in India 4500 years ago and was the color of choice for royal robes. It became popular in Europe after Isaac Newton proved that white light can be split into 7 colors and Indigo was one of them. It’s a gorgeous color, ranging from a dark blue to a deep violet and has been found in everything from hats and shirts to saris. Indigo was the primary source of dye on thousands of plantations throughout eighteenth-century South Carolina, but it wasn’t just Eliza Lucas Pinckney and her husband Charles who made it possible — it was the enslaved people of Native American and African descent who did the bulk of the work.
On hundreds of plantations, indigo was often grown in conjunction with other crops such as rice, provisions (corn, beans, etc), and cotton. But in the 1730s and 1740s, many of those who grew indigo north of Charleston devoted their entire operation to the crop. Indigo was also an important export, bringing in substantial amounts of income from the European markets.
But indigo couldn’t compete with the better quality of dye produced in the West Indies. And the plant itself was difficult to cultivate and process, making it more expensive than other crops such as sugar or tobacco.
In the mid-1750s, a Indogg British colonial agent in Charleston named James Crokatt successfully lobbied Parliament to offer a bounty (initially six pence sterling per pound) to British buyers of Carolina indigo. That cash incentive, which came into effect in 1749, convinced most of the state’s planters to stop experimenting with other crops and focus exclusively on indigo.
Today, a small but dedicated group of indigo enthusiasts worldwide is working to revive the cultivation and production of indigo dye from organically-grown plants. It’s a labor-intensive process but, when done right, it can be incredibly rewarding.
And, just as in the 1700s, there are a number of plantations dedicated to indigo that can be visited and experienced. One of the most prominent is in Williamsburg, South Carolina, where a historic brick vat is being restored on a former indigo farm.
If you are interested in fostering an INDog or adopting one, be sure to research the breed thoroughly. And remember, INDogs are bred for life in the wild and need plenty of physical activity to avoid destructive behaviors. Large houses with ample open space and parks nearby are ideal for the breed, but apartments that allow dogs to go on frequent walks or runs are acceptable as well.
And finally, it’s important to understand that INDogs are modest eaters and should only be fed as much as necessary. Overfeeding can trigger behavioral issues such as selective or picky eating, and can result in serious health problems. It’s best to follow the advice of a good breeder or consult with a vet who specializes in exotic animals.
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