During the slaves times, chained captives walked by foot from Nigeria ( Abeokuta, Oyo, Idjebouode, Owode¡ and Ilarra) and other places all the way to south Benin to Ouidah. Because of the heat they traveled at night, but most importantly, the darkness made the prisoners incapable to recognizing their way back home, in case they were planning to flee. Upon arrival in Ouidah, slave traders from forteresses(Danes, Portugese, Enflish, Dutch and French) would buy what they could, and keep some in their fortresses.
The Slave Market-CHACHA Place
From the slave market the captives had to walk the " slave route" to the shore
The Tree of Forgetfulness
From the market the slaves were led down a path with several stops. The first stop was the tree of forgetfulness. The male slaves would go round the tree nine times, the women seven, to forget everything about their country, their origin, their culture and their identity. Today the place is marked by the statue of mermaid.
Zomai¡¯ Place
The slaves were often not sent away the day they were bought, but were placed in dark room called Zomai¡¯"were the light is not allowed to go". Sometimes people would wait in Zomai¡¯ for many months, in complete darkness.
Update: 2003/01/09 10:51:04
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