ASSIN MANSO SLAVE RIVER

 This was a major 18 Century slave market and the final stop for captives before  reaching the coast Elmlina and Cape Coast castles. Enslaved Africans bathed in this river and rested before being shipped across the Atlantic. It is serves as a poignant historical site and memorial for the diaspora. 

I asked some of the fellows in the office I share 'what this place meant to them' and they have very little connection it seems. I was perplexed as this response so I kept asking why no reaction. One reason I realized is that everyone is quite poor here and that the main life purpose is to have food every day and a place to livev which keeps them busy. I was told today a second that the diaspora have a different life being black. Here there is no obvious difference being black whereas in USA or Caribbean   for example being black means you are different and ttreated differently as well.  When the diaspora comes here, for the first time they do not look different they are the same and not treated different because of their skin colour. So a place live the Slave River takes on a hightened emotional response. 

The entrance to the site has the need to knock on the gate like the slaves would have done, to ensure that is is ok to enter.

We walked along a path that was leading to the river. This small building has the pictures of the chiefs that were in charge down throught the years.. Showing respect for  their elders is very important to maintain so erecting this building is a reminder of the past.

You notice that I am sitting as my mobility is limited these days so using a chair  enabled me to see the whole site. Here is the last steps for the slaves, down to the river where Michael is standing.

All and all this was very interesting. Victor, Dominic and Michale along  with Darby (michael's wife and E:izabeth's motherone wife ) came with me and were very helpful in getting me back and forth to see the site.

The place was quite far so this from Wiawso it was a whole day adventure, from 430 am till 9pm. i guess I do not need to say but I will anyway, exhausted does not cover how I felt and it has been until today, Friday for me to recover. I would not have nissed it for the world, a very memorable visit.