Elmina Castle - The Slave Trade

 

Coming up to the castle you see a beautiful beach and gleaming white building. It looks ideal.

The town began in 1300's when three cousins traveling on a hunt got lost and Amankwaa found fresh water and called the place Anomansa (inexhaustible water) and that is the name of the town. He followed the water down to a lagoon and said, "Be enya!" meaning I've got it! He came back and founded the city and area on a large rock across from the present day castle and was made king of his area. The Arabs found it a safe landing place in the 1400's and called it "Al mina". But it was the Portuguese love of trading especially for Gold that brought them to this place in 1471. They called it A mina or Da Mina meaning 'the mine' because gold was brought so readily for trade. In January of 1482 they brought materials to build a fort and had to ask over and over because the King did not want these "friends" so close. He felt they could be better friends living apart. But over the incessant persuasions and the hope for peace he granted their request. The injustices that were served to the people showed the king's hopes were dashed. The Portuguese called their fort Saint George, but the location was called Elmina which is a mispronunciation and has been used ever since.

In the early 1600's is when the slave trade began in earnest and the worst of human cruelties were promoted here. The Dutch attacked and took over in 1637, with the same horrific trades and enlarged dungeons to hold more captives, and then sold the place to the English in the 1800's when slavery was being abolished in different countries. This was a big blow to the Elminarins as they were trying to gain hold of their territory but were defeated again. The English traded just a little but mainly used the fort as a military outpost and police training place. It was finally abandoned by the English when Ghana gained her independence from England.

We witnessed where terrible cruelties were done to thousands of people. I really don’t want to go to another “castle” as it is so depressing and sad. So many died. The horrific part of a horrific story is that fact that a church was attended and operational two floors above the dying men and women below. Their horses and cattle were treated better. No wonder it is difficult to promote religious freedom when it means different things to people.

The higher the floor, the more "important" the people. The governor and his family were at the top. I think they will all be so surprised at judgement day when their status will be at the bottom.

Shut in until they were dead for grievous offenses like trying to break out.

The Portuguese were surprised on the third attack by the Dutch to be attacked from the rear instead of just the sea. 

Antics at the Castle

A funny note was a young man who came up and wanted a picture with me on the steps. I asked him why he wanted a picture with a white woman in a slave castle, he just laughed and put his arm around me and posed for the picture. Some of his companions came and got pictures too. When I looked there were people with Jeffrey posing with him too. Was it the nametag? I doubt it. But I wonder if they will see it when they get home? 

Good Day for all