Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Elmina and the Slave Castles

I'm still trying to recover from the weekend. It was physically and emotionally draining, but poignant, nonetheless. We had to leave at 6am Saturday morning for Elmina, home to a magnificent town, and the Portuguese and then British operated slave castle. I think pictures illustrate this more than I can. But I want to add a trigger warning, that these photos are disturbing and graphic.


A couple of years ago, some Ghanaians spent 24 hours in the dungeon, in order to imagine what their ancestors experienced. It was unimaginable.

The Governor's rooms were behind the balcony, which he would look out from to choose African women to rape.

This was the only opening in this dungeon for ventilation.

These doorways were not open, but bars in the shape of a door, blocked escape.

This was the church where the Portuguese would pray.



Right outside of the door, which colonizers used to transport people from the castles, into slave ships. The water use to touch the edge of the castle.

Our incredible guide finished the tour by drawing our attention to this plaque, and by encouraging a moment of silence. We repeated "never forget" in unison.


An opposite and smaller fort, used to be on the lookout for incoming attacks.






The door of no return. They have now added on the opposite side, "door of return." 

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