Echoes Of The Cries Of Slaves At Cape Coast Castle

Male and female slaves dungeons of the Cape Coast Castle

The mere mention of slavery brings bad memories, as it harbored unimaginable evil act, as thousands of Africans were captured under inhuman circumstances into overcrowded dungeons and transported across the Atlantic to the New World.

 

Even though slavery is long abolished, the African still bears the psychological scars, as he fights to regain his lost identity and respect among mankind on the surface of the earth today.

 

The slave trade in Ghana mainly took place in coastal towns, but I wish to write about Cape Coast, my country of birth, which was the center of the British slave trade for almost 150 years. Cape Coast is located in the central region of Ghana.

 

Image of the Cape Coast Castle, where thousands of African slaves were shipped to the United States of America

It was the capital of Gold Coast between 1700 until 1877 when the capital was shifted to Accra. Ghana replaced the Gold Coast when the country achieved its independence in 1957.

 

Echoes of sad music in the air can be heard from Cape Coast, attracting thousands of tourists including African-Americans and other Africans in the Diaspora to visit the place, where their ancestors were packed like a sardine into ships for slavery. 

 

There is a proverb in Ghana which says “a man doesn't cry.” I’m beginning to question this proverb if it has any elements of truth because any African in the Diaspora who visits Cape Coast castle can’t hold back his or her tears.

 

The psychological effect and emotions over Cape Coast Castle, which still has the remnants of the slave trade, are unbearable. President Obama, wife, Michelle, and children can’t forget the experience of touring the preserved sites. Also, the wife of Donald Trump, Melanie, visited Cape Coast.

 

One can’t escape the cold waves which go through the spine. Even though many Africans in the Diaspora haven’t been to Ghana to trace their roots or visit Cape Coast, others had. 

The Pan African Historical Festival, simply called PANAFEST is a cultural event which has brought thousands of African-Americans to visit Cape Coast.

 

Visiting Cape Coast Castle to understand the pain and the suffering endured by the millions of slaves is an important step for African-Americans and other Africans in the Diaspora to be closer to Africa. 

It is sad to note that many hate to be referred to as Africans, even though history about their origin isn’t a fabricated story.

 

It seems that’s the way to help forget this bitter experience, but there is nothing satisfying than visiting the continent of your origin to discover the reality aspects of a sad journey.

 

Forts and castles built by Europeans between 1482 and 1786, serving as slave depots are still visible in Ghana. Apart from the Cape Coast Castle, are also Elmina and Christiansburg Castles.  

How African slaves were crammed into a ship and taken away to America

Ghana invites you. Be part of other tourists to visit Cape Coast, to see the male dungeon, female dungeon, remnants and the reality of cruelty of slavery, committed by White Slave Masters.