There is something about going to a slave market, or an ancient path where slaves trod upon.
Scholars have identified 179 such ports, where more than 11 million Africans were transported
by European slavers, one of the darkest moments in Africa’s history.
The slave trade was a trade between European and African slave masters who victimized millions of
Africans. The gains that came from it resulted in the development of economic and political
growth in major regions of Europe and America. If you desire to trace these routes in Africa,
there are various countries and sites where this can be done.
East African slave routes
In East Africa, the slave trade continued till 1880 when captives were taken from as far as the
south of Lake Nyasa (now Malawi), west of Lake Tanganyika (now DR Congo), and north of
Lake Victoria (now Uganda). By the 1850s there were up to 70,000 slaves in Zanzibar. East
African slave trade grew enormously thanks to the growing demand by French, Portuguese as
well as Arabs and slave traders and raiders moved throughout the continent searching for
slaves.
In Zanzibar, slaves produced cloves and grains for export, and they too were exported. When it
comes to the Indian Ocean slave trade, Zanzibar was one of the largest slave ports and was
largely dominated by Arab slave traders. Even though it is presently referred to as an island’s
paradise, there are many reminders of the dark history of the slave trade when you visit the island
around Stone Town and across the island.
There is the slave market where slaves were confined in dark, airless, underground chambers
just before they were sold and if you visit, you will still see the chains bolted to the concrete.
There is a moving memorial presently which still remains a reminder to the tourists of the
atrocities that were committed on the spot years ago.
Your tour should begin from Kelele Square and walk towards the alleys of Stone Town to the
house of former trader Tippu Tip. After that, head to the largest market at Mkunazini (Stone
Town) where slaves were cruelly whipped and auctioned. You can head over to the house of Dr.
David Livingstone was referred to as the friend of the slaves since he campaigned for the
abolition of slavery which marked its end in 1873. Head over to Maruhubi Ruins where 99
necked enslaved women were entertaining the Arab Sultan of Zanzibar (1870-1888) in the
luxurious palace.
If you head over to Tanzania, in a town called Bagamoyo which was one of the most significant
trading ports along the east African coast. It also served as the last terminus for slave and ivory
caravans that had made the long journey on foot from Lake Tanganyika. The town was built in
the late 18th century, with many colonial buildings, and it is presently renowned for
its fascinating history, culture, and art.
When you come to Kenya, visit Lamu old town which was a significant trading center in the
Islamic coast of East Africa. Situated on an archipelago off the coast of Kenya in the Indian
Ocean, the town dates to the twelfth century and is said to be the cradle of Swahili culture as well
as an important religious center. Visit the Lamu Old Town, Slave Market Square to learn more
about this history.
If you visit Diani, head over to the village of Shimoni in Kwale County. There you will find the
rugged ancient caves of Shimoni, a fascinating historical gem and a stark reminder of some of
the darkest periods in human history. Here, in the ancient coral caves, over 1 million slaves
would wait to be shipped to the slave market in Tanzania, Zanzibar, and onwards to Yemen
between 1860 and 1895. They were packed in dhows and nearly 400 died during that voyage
and were thrown overboard to be eaten by sharks.
West African slave routes
When it comes to West Africa, the transatlantic trade was responsible for the transfer of more
than 15 million men, women, and children over 400 years ago. There are various sites in
West Africa where you can learn about the slave trade.
Ghana is probably the most popular destination for African Americans hoping to connect with
their heritage. The first site to visit is Elmina Castle which is one of the slave forts along Ghana’s
Atlantic coast. Built-in 1482 as a Portuguese trading post, it served as a depot for slaves waiting
to be transported across the Atlantic. With a guided tour guide, you’ll be able to go through the
slave dungeons, punishment cells as well as a slave auctioning room which now houses a small
museum.
Also, a have a guided tour of the Cape Coast Castle which played a prominent role in the slave
trade and head over to the slave dungeons, Palaver Hall as well as the grave of an English
Governor. The headquarters for the British colonial administration for nearly 200 years, this
the castle has a museum that houses slave trade artifacts and a video that gives a glimpse of
how the business of slavery was conducted.
The entire Cape Coast is lined with old forts built by European powers during the slave trade
era. Some of the forts have been converted to guest houses for tourists while others like Fort
Amsterdam in Abandze (which is believed to have housed the Gold Coast’s first slave prison)
gives tourists a glimpse of how the slave trade era was.
Also, visit Donko Nsuo River a place where slaves would bathe after long journeys from the
interior before being sold. This would be their last bath before they were transported to the slave
ships. Guided tours in this area would include some slave graves, memorial plaques, a prayer
room as well as a place where men and women would bathe separately. Check out Salaga
too, in northern Ghana, which was a major slave market, with water wells where slaves would wash
before an auction.
If you cross over to Senegal, head over to the largest slave trade tourist known as Île de Gorée,
or Goree Island. Situated just off the Dakar coast, the island was colonized by the Portuguese,
the Dutch, the British, and the French and was once a vital stop on the Atlantic trade route.
Head over to Maison des Esclaves or the House of Slaves, an attraction that was built in 1776
by the Dutch and was used as a holding station for the slaves.
If you cross over to Benin, head over to Porto-Novo, it’s capital, which was a major slave-trading
post by the Portuguese in the 17th century. You will find ruined castles and other points of
interest giving an insight into the country’s slaving history. There is also the city of Ouidah in
Benin which is one of the most prolific slave ports in Africa.
Gambia, the home of the legend Kunta Kinte, is another country where you can experience the
history of the slave trade. Kunta Kinte was the protagonist of Alex Haley’s iconic novel Roots
(which tells the story of a young man sold into slavery in the 18th century and his descendants
in the United States). Head over to Albreda, a historic settlement on the Gambia River, Albreda
that was once a significant slave post for the French. Here you can explore the National
Museum of Albreda, which is dedicated to slavery and comprises an exhibition that gives a
detailed account of the Roots connection and a replica slave ship. Nearby points of interest include
Juffureh, Kunta Kinte’s home village; and Kunta Kinte Island with its slave dungeon.