..as 2023 Badagry Diaspora festival reenact 15th Century Slave trade experience

By Lamidi Bamidele

The bitter memory of the historic trans-Atlantic slave trade was rekindled during the visit of some African Americans tracing their roots back to Africa after the inglorious days of the slave trade which spans over 400 years

The Diaspora festival tagged, ‘4th Door of Return Ceremony’ was organised by the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM, Hon (Dr)Abike Dabiri Erewa between 19th-21st Oct 2023. The event witnessed the re-enactment of the sufferings of the captured slaves chained in the neck and legs as they wriggled through the ‘Point of No Return’ to the ship.

After enduring centuries of Trans-Atlantic slave exploitation, dignitaries including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Julius Garvey, son of the legendary Marcus Garvey and founder of the Marcus Garvey Institute, rejoiced in the return of African descendants to their homeland. They hailed it as a new era of hope and freedom.

Representing Governor Sanwo-Olu, Secretary to the State Government Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin warmly welcomed the diaspora community led by Dr. Garvey, stating, “We are glad that you are back home. We celebrate the resilience and enterprise of the black man.” Despite the historic challenges of slavery, he emphasized the enduring strength of the black community.

Sanwo-Olu commended the black community’s contributions in technology, creative arts, music, and entertainment, asserting that they have played a pivotal role in these fields. He expressed gratitude that their history has not confined them to the past, but instead, they have forged nations and are committed to shaping a brighter future.

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that this initiative, which began in 2017, celebrates the rich identity, culture, history, heritage, and traditions of a people in their primordial homeland. She emphasized that the festival encompasses both tangible and intangible cultural resources, serving as a catalyst for diaspora members to reconnect with their roots.

Some of the returnees, she revealed, are eager to invest in Nigeria and even envision the construction of a Diaspora Palace in Badagry. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between the private sector and the government in this endeavor.

Part of the historical sites visited by the African American is the Brazilian Barracoon belonging to Chief Seriki Williams Abass, a slave turned slave trader who settled in Badagry.

At the Barracoon of Seriki Williams are two cells where male and female slaves were separately kept. Each small cell accommodated 40 slaves, all chained. 

The delegates were also at the Wawu of Badagry compound which housed the Canon Guns and where the first Union Jack was hoisted, and the Mobee Family Museum housing the relics of the slave trade.

At the Mobee Family Museum, where several slave trade artifacts were kept, there was a demonstration of how heavy chains were tied on the neck of slaves to prevent them from escaping.

At the museum, Mr Victor Latenco, Head of Sub office, Lagos, International Organisation for Migration, IOM, offered to put the historical slave chains on his neck to demonstrate the heavy burden slaves went through. He quickly requested the heavy chain to be removed

 Of more significance was the walk through the slave route leading to ‘Point of No Return’ which  started at Gberefu community  with the first signpost  which reads, “Badagry Slave Route: This is the route of the journey of unknown destination, original slave route.” This was where the journey started.  The participants took a long walk of about three kilometres before reaching the point with another inscription, “Original Spot Slaves Spirit Attenuation well.      

According to historical accounts and as narrated by the tour guide, Anago Osho, water from the spirit attenuation well was given to slaves on getting to the spot which is few meters away from the Atlantic Ocean. It is said that the water would take effect three months into the journey, making a slave forget everything about his past but the life of slavery he has been sold into. The well is still full to the brim and many locals are said to be scared of drinking from it many centuries after the slave trade was abolished

  Among the returning dignitaries were Chief (Dr) Julius Garvey, (newly installed as Ajigo of Badagry), son of Pan-African legend, Marcus Garvey and founder of Marcus Garvey Institute. Chief (Dr) David Anderson, founder and President of Gracism Global and holds the title of Jogbe of Badagry. Queen mother Delois Blakely, Community Mayor of Harlem, New York City and United Nation African Peace Ambassador. 

Others are Brian Stephenson, Jonathan Adejoh who was coming to Africa for the first time; Monique Roumo and correction officer, Emery Nelson among others. Their return marks a significant step towards healing and reconnecting with their ancestral roots.