Today is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, an opportunity to remember the horrors of the past and reflect on the legacy of slavery in our modern society. In Côte d’Ivoire, efforts are being made to promote memorial sites linked to the slave trade, as part of a vast program entitled “The Routes of Slavery”.
Thanks to extensive research, seven slave trade routes have been identified in Côte d’Ivoire. These routes all converge on Cap Lahou, a major slave port where thousands of slaves were shipped to the Americas. These discoveries were made possible thanks to objects found in different communities along these routes. For example, a jug dating from the 16th to 18th centuries was found in people who had inherited them from their grandparents, and the inscriptions on it identify it as being from the slave trade period.
These memorial sites also provide information on the functioning of the slave trade, such as the markets and transactions that took place there. They also tell us about the intermediaries in this trade. However, scientists face difficulties on the ground, as local populations are often reluctant to talk about this dark period in history. These subjects are sometimes taboo, because they bring back painful memories and cause fear of harming others.
Despite these obstacles, research continues and it is essential to safeguard and promote these memorial sites. They help preserve the memory of slavery and educate the general public about this dark page in history. Some of these sites are also in the process of being certified by UNESCO, which will allow better promotion of this historical heritage.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that the slave trade and slavery are sensitive but essential topics to discuss. By promoting and preserving these memorial sites, we are committed to not forgetting the victims of this inhumane practice and to promoting a better understanding of our common past. The fight against slavery and the forms of discrimination associated with it must continue, in order to guarantee a more equal future for all.