Slavery in West Africa

Ghana Cape Coast was the hub of most of the slave trade that started in the middle of the 15th century.  There are over 60 Castles that dot the 300 mile coast of Ghana.  We visited the Cape Coast and Elmina castles this week on P-day.

The outside looked like a castle, but inside was a dungeon.  This cell housed hundreds of female enslaved people that slept on hard brick.  

 

There were three exits from the Castle for the enslaved people.  This exit was called the Exit of No Return which led to the ships.  The other two exits were over the castle wall for those that died while imprisoned and the last exit was for the pregnant women who who had been impregnated by the Governor of the castle.  They were let free because no one would purchase an enslaved person with child.