Assin Manso
I am not sure where to begin, so I will give a brief history lesson concerning slavery in Africa.
Domestic Slaves
In Africa, slavery has existed in one form or another since the beginning of civilization. Initially, a slave was regarded as a "Kinless Person," or someone who has no kin or family. For this reason, many slaves were absorbed into the family in which they were originally enslaved. Men, women and children were enslaved for various reasons: criminal activity; loss of one's family (or traceable family); ethnic conflicts that resulted in a rival group being enslaved; paying off debt; security for a loan; voluntarily to avoid famine or drought; victims of religious crimes; because a husband/wife were unable to bare children (they were often married to their owner); and/or as human sacrifice before war. Many slaves worked as civil servants for political authorities. These slaves were able to move up through the ranks to higher levels. Domestic Slaves were a sign of prestige and wealth. They were property, but they were also treated like family. It was a form of welfare that served society; but that was before the Europeans came to Africa.
The Trans-Sahara Slave Trade
The Trans-Sahara Slave Trade included the Arabs trading slaves in the northern region of Africa. Slaves were included in the African exporting dating back to Pre-Roman times and continued for a long time after. From 800-1600 AD, around 5, 000-10,000 slaves were exported from Africa. Africa got, in return, many new food crops. During the Crusades, the Europeans began to explore other trading options and not long after (14th Century), the Porteguese sailed around and found the "Gold Coast."
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
During the 14th Century the Porteguese first settled in this area. It is said the first slaves were traded to the "white man" at this time in exchange for 3 copper bracelets. This trade occured with the Oba (King) of Benin. The trading of spices, gold, and ivory were what attracted the Europeans, however, it is the "captives" that became the real money maker. Originally, the captives worked under the Europeans as deck hands, carriers, and miners.
In the 15th Century, when the expansion to the "New World" began (Americas-South then North), these captives were the obvious solution to the work force problems in the Americas. The captives worked on plantations in South America (the natives were dying due to the diseases brought by the Europeans and they needed to be replaced, of course).
There were many factors that led to this increase of human trafficking in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many Europeans were encouraged to expand their settlements and they needed labor; sugar cane growing in the Carribean; Natives were dying because of diseases, alcohol, and murders; tobacco and rice were grown on plantations in the colonies; competition from different European countries increasing the price, therefore, making it a lucritive African business; and ships were much faster and efficient, increasing the amount of trade possible.
And the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Route was born. From the "Gold Coast" to the "Americas"(slaves) to Europe (tobacco, sugar, and rice) and back to Africa (alcohol, guns, metal ware, and cheap jewelry). Forts and castles were built to protect this precious and expensive cargo.
Assin Manso
Assin Manso was a stopping point for the slaves coming from inland Africa. Many of the captives sold during this time were from Ghana's surrounding countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Benin). The middlemen who collected the slaves from inland and marched them to the coast traditionally obtained the slaves through the historical methods. However, as the trading increased, the morals of the middlemen decreased. Many times they would raid villages, burning the huts and wait until the occupants ran, then they too would become captives. The captives would be forced to walk to Salaga. The most Northern of slave markets, there they would be bathed and sold. Then a middleman would walk that group to 300 miles Assin Manso. Just outside this village runs the Amisse River (also called the Ochi River). It is at Assin Manso that a tributary ran off of this river. The tributary is called Ndokosue or Slave River. This was a screening, fattening, and/or revitalization stop. It was here that the captives were put into groups and then walked down to the river to bath. When they came out of the river, they would be oiled (with Shea oil), the hair on their skin would be shaved, and they were forced to open their mouth so their teeth could be counted (to find out their age). Finally, they would be fed and led down a path towards the market. In the market, they were asked to jump up and down to show their strength. At this point they were sold and then walked the 30 or more miles to Elmina Castle or Cape Coast Castle.
Reflection:
As I always have my students do, I will write a reflection on Assin Manso. I have to admit that as the white girl from Washington, I was scared of what to write. I fear that the vision and experience was not complete. I feel like resorting to just telling the facts and not my impression, it would be easier. But then I decided to write from the human side. The part of me that cries about the inhumane treatment of my fellow humans. So, I reflect on my experience, on what I saw, on what I came here to see and bring back.
Today, the path is still there, the river is still there, the tributary is still there, the tree is still there and the memories are still there. Walking the path, standing by the river, having the events described to me was an indescribable event. Before we began the tour, we gave a moment of silence for all those who were displaced during this time. A powerful silence ensued.
How can a minute of silence meet the centuries of mistreatment. I am not just talking the selling of slaves, but the movement, the travels, the stripping of identity, the repercussions that still ring today. Throughout my time in Ghana, I have looked at the faces, the bodies, and the movements of the people here and I can see my students, friends, and family in these people. I don't mean the color of their skin, but it is beyond that. Here, family is important, relationships are important, your bloodline is important. Many of the people can trace their heritage not only to the tribe they are from (Fanti, Ashanti, Akan, etc) but their bloodline beyond my comprehension. My students can barely follow their bloodline in the United States, especially with the historical ramafications of claiming certain blood (Native American) during numerous times of unrest.
The river: As we stood listening to our guide talk about how the strength of the river was so much that they washed the captives in the tributary, an elderly woman crossed the river carrying sticks on her head and a walking stick to hold her steady. She crossed through the river with grace and strength. She exited the water and followed the path the captives took through the commemerative arch and then down the path. I imagined the others that walked through that arch, feeling depleted. It was overwhelming, and I was speechless. The guide asked if I had any questions, all I could say is that I was a student today, just trying to absorb the history. The tributary is no longer used for any human activity. There were shackles found in the river on December 26, 2005.
The path: The path is only 2-3 feet wide, there is green growth on both sides. From the river to the "market area" was not a long walk. It is estimated that millions of captives walked through this area. I am sure I have connected with the descendents of the people who have gone this path.
The museum: The museum in Assin Manso has built a wall to add names of people who have re-entered the gate. I believe this gesture is symbollic for the people of Ghana and the descendants of these captives spread throughout the world. They will begin to add names in August of 2007 (on the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence and the 200th anniversary of when the British made the slave trade illegal). I think that would be a worthwhile trek to make.
Domestic Slaves
In Africa, slavery has existed in one form or another since the beginning of civilization. Initially, a slave was regarded as a "Kinless Person," or someone who has no kin or family. For this reason, many slaves were absorbed into the family in which they were originally enslaved. Men, women and children were enslaved for various reasons: criminal activity; loss of one's family (or traceable family); ethnic conflicts that resulted in a rival group being enslaved; paying off debt; security for a loan; voluntarily to avoid famine or drought; victims of religious crimes; because a husband/wife were unable to bare children (they were often married to their owner); and/or as human sacrifice before war. Many slaves worked as civil servants for political authorities. These slaves were able to move up through the ranks to higher levels. Domestic Slaves were a sign of prestige and wealth. They were property, but they were also treated like family. It was a form of welfare that served society; but that was before the Europeans came to Africa.
The Trans-Sahara Slave Trade
The Trans-Sahara Slave Trade included the Arabs trading slaves in the northern region of Africa. Slaves were included in the African exporting dating back to Pre-Roman times and continued for a long time after. From 800-1600 AD, around 5, 000-10,000 slaves were exported from Africa. Africa got, in return, many new food crops. During the Crusades, the Europeans began to explore other trading options and not long after (14th Century), the Porteguese sailed around and found the "Gold Coast."
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
During the 14th Century the Porteguese first settled in this area. It is said the first slaves were traded to the "white man" at this time in exchange for 3 copper bracelets. This trade occured with the Oba (King) of Benin. The trading of spices, gold, and ivory were what attracted the Europeans, however, it is the "captives" that became the real money maker. Originally, the captives worked under the Europeans as deck hands, carriers, and miners.
In the 15th Century, when the expansion to the "New World" began (Americas-South then North), these captives were the obvious solution to the work force problems in the Americas. The captives worked on plantations in South America (the natives were dying due to the diseases brought by the Europeans and they needed to be replaced, of course).
There were many factors that led to this increase of human trafficking in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many Europeans were encouraged to expand their settlements and they needed labor; sugar cane growing in the Carribean; Natives were dying because of diseases, alcohol, and murders; tobacco and rice were grown on plantations in the colonies; competition from different European countries increasing the price, therefore, making it a lucritive African business; and ships were much faster and efficient, increasing the amount of trade possible.
And the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Route was born. From the "Gold Coast" to the "Americas"(slaves) to Europe (tobacco, sugar, and rice) and back to Africa (alcohol, guns, metal ware, and cheap jewelry). Forts and castles were built to protect this precious and expensive cargo.
Assin Manso
Assin Manso was a stopping point for the slaves coming from inland Africa. Many of the captives sold during this time were from Ghana's surrounding countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Benin). The middlemen who collected the slaves from inland and marched them to the coast traditionally obtained the slaves through the historical methods. However, as the trading increased, the morals of the middlemen decreased. Many times they would raid villages, burning the huts and wait until the occupants ran, then they too would become captives. The captives would be forced to walk to Salaga. The most Northern of slave markets, there they would be bathed and sold. Then a middleman would walk that group to 300 miles Assin Manso. Just outside this village runs the Amisse River (also called the Ochi River). It is at Assin Manso that a tributary ran off of this river. The tributary is called Ndokosue or Slave River. This was a screening, fattening, and/or revitalization stop. It was here that the captives were put into groups and then walked down to the river to bath. When they came out of the river, they would be oiled (with Shea oil), the hair on their skin would be shaved, and they were forced to open their mouth so their teeth could be counted (to find out their age). Finally, they would be fed and led down a path towards the market. In the market, they were asked to jump up and down to show their strength. At this point they were sold and then walked the 30 or more miles to Elmina Castle or Cape Coast Castle.
Reflection:
As I always have my students do, I will write a reflection on Assin Manso. I have to admit that as the white girl from Washington, I was scared of what to write. I fear that the vision and experience was not complete. I feel like resorting to just telling the facts and not my impression, it would be easier. But then I decided to write from the human side. The part of me that cries about the inhumane treatment of my fellow humans. So, I reflect on my experience, on what I saw, on what I came here to see and bring back.
Today, the path is still there, the river is still there, the tributary is still there, the tree is still there and the memories are still there. Walking the path, standing by the river, having the events described to me was an indescribable event. Before we began the tour, we gave a moment of silence for all those who were displaced during this time. A powerful silence ensued.
How can a minute of silence meet the centuries of mistreatment. I am not just talking the selling of slaves, but the movement, the travels, the stripping of identity, the repercussions that still ring today. Throughout my time in Ghana, I have looked at the faces, the bodies, and the movements of the people here and I can see my students, friends, and family in these people. I don't mean the color of their skin, but it is beyond that. Here, family is important, relationships are important, your bloodline is important. Many of the people can trace their heritage not only to the tribe they are from (Fanti, Ashanti, Akan, etc) but their bloodline beyond my comprehension. My students can barely follow their bloodline in the United States, especially with the historical ramafications of claiming certain blood (Native American) during numerous times of unrest.
The river: As we stood listening to our guide talk about how the strength of the river was so much that they washed the captives in the tributary, an elderly woman crossed the river carrying sticks on her head and a walking stick to hold her steady. She crossed through the river with grace and strength. She exited the water and followed the path the captives took through the commemerative arch and then down the path. I imagined the others that walked through that arch, feeling depleted. It was overwhelming, and I was speechless. The guide asked if I had any questions, all I could say is that I was a student today, just trying to absorb the history. The tributary is no longer used for any human activity. There were shackles found in the river on December 26, 2005.
The path: The path is only 2-3 feet wide, there is green growth on both sides. From the river to the "market area" was not a long walk. It is estimated that millions of captives walked through this area. I am sure I have connected with the descendents of the people who have gone this path.
The museum: The museum in Assin Manso has built a wall to add names of people who have re-entered the gate. I believe this gesture is symbollic for the people of Ghana and the descendants of these captives spread throughout the world. They will begin to add names in August of 2007 (on the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence and the 200th anniversary of when the British made the slave trade illegal). I think that would be a worthwhile trek to make.
posted by Unknown @ 1:06 PM
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