slave castle post

a few weekends ago we visited two slave castles in cape coast. the photos above are from elmina castle, the most famous one, and the photos below are from cape coast castle. we learned about the different hands the castles passed through and the conditions of castle life during their active periods. most striking i think was standing in the dungeons, seeing the tiny window that was the only light and ventilation source, and trying to imagine being crammed in with 300 other people, standing 3 feet deep in refuse. in elmina in the womens quarters the room still stank because the stone has absorbed the horrible smell f the suffering and it still lingers today. we saw where the governor would stand on his balcony and select a slave woman who was made to climb a staircase and bed with him in his expansive, airy chambers. interestingly, the ghanaians we have spoken to do not dwell on slavery, preferring to leave it in the past, and they believe whites are not all to blame.we have learned of some notorious african slave lords who made a living transporting their countrymen to coastal traders. the strong contrast between the picturesque tropical surroundings and the horrible history of the castles has left a lingering impression on all of us.