The slogan ‘stay woke’ practically took over every event and issues in 2016. Our own form of staying woke was to explore the various historical place, starting in West Africa and to the rest of Africa as time goes on.
Our kick-off destination was Badagry, a coastal suburban town in the outskirts of Lagos State, Nigeria. Embarking on adventures like this will be nothing short of fun-filled but we thought it will be more fun to explore with other young and bright Africans who are keen on such historical adventures.
So, on December 3, 2016, 15 great young explorers embarked on this journey to discover what their forefathers went through and how they saved generations from going through the same ordeal they did.
On getting to Badagry town, our first stop was the Heritage museum. Oh! This museum was filled with loads of heartbreaking stories and the struggle of Nigerians during the slave trade era.
The first storey building in Nigeria was our second stop. It was a bit scary climbing up the frail looking stairs because they are very old.
Climb we did, however, and in there, we got a glimpse of the first Yoruba bible that was translated by Samuel Ajayi Crowther; a returnee slave.
Our next stop was the Mobee slave museum and the Brazilian barraccon. There we got to re-imagine how hundreds of people were kept for months in a space not big enough to squeeze in 30 people.
These people; at least, the ones who are still alive after those months, were taken to the slave ships which took them beyond our shores. We also saw some of the items local leaders at the time traded their people for; mirrors, cannons and more.
A couple of us also tried on the chains that people sold off to slave traders were locked in; heavier than you can imagine and terribly uncomfortable metals.
After the Brazilian barraccon, we took a boat ride to the other side of Badagry creeks where the walk to the journey of no return started.
Walking under the hot scorching sun made us realise how hard and impossible it must have been for the slaves to have walked barefooted to the Atlantic Ocean with their hands, neck and legs tied together with heavy metal chains.
The walk was very exhaustive but some of us couldn’t help but pick the beautiful sea shells that were washed up the shores by the beautiful water current.
Big ups to Mie Mie restaurant (no, they didn’t pay for this), they really came through for us when we were starving and exhausted.
The bus ride back home was hilarious and fun filled.
Shout out to the squad that made the trip. Great, bright and wonderful minds.
P.S we are exploring Olumo rock next, the history of the Egba people and the ancient city of Abeokuta. You can join us. Drop a note with the contact form.
I was more interested in the history behind this amazing place, we totally forgot to take colorful images.
