Dakar

18 november 2022

I've spent the day on the I'lle of Goree reached by ferry boat from the port in Dakar. With a long history of being settled by people throughout the centuries, there are also records to show that the island played a part in the Atlantic Slave trade.

Now an UNESCO world heritage centre, the island is being renovated and developed as a historical reference centre spreading information about the trading triangle of the Americas, Asian and Europe. The facts and figures of human enslavement were clearly explained through text, pictures, oral recounts and the ability to visit sites where enslaved people would have been dwelling, transiting or in some cases imprisoned. A very through provoking day with lots of information to process.

The most sobering of information was the data on enslaved people in the world today. According to this information, there are more than 40 million people currently still enslaved in one form or another.

The island is now occupied by many artists and crafts people. I've included some paintings which I saw in a toilet block - I love the style and the colourful depiction of life.

Ended the day being invited to a Jazz festival and spent the evening listening to great Senegalese jazz and funk music in the open air. The perfect ending to an incredible day,