 | THE FORTRESS AT BUNCE ISLAND
British Slave Castle, (18th Century)' with closer historical links to North America than any other slave castle' (Joseph Opala).
The tour to the Bunce Island Fortress provides not only a lesson in history but a reflection on our links to the past. Be prepared to be suprised by our very knowledgable tour guides.
Bunce Island, located on the Sierra Leone river (part of an area consisting of the largest natural harbour on the continent) is a tiny finger shaped island just 1600ft/350ft that played a major roll in the Translantic Slave Trade.
------ HISTORY ------
Bunce Island was named for Captain John Bence a wealthy London based merchant and one of the original investor. British traders leased the island from an African king on the north side of the harbour with and agreement to pay rent for the castle and taxes on the exports. Bunce Island offered a wide range of trade goods, including guns and gunpowder, imported cloth, metal goods, alcoholic drinks, and trinkets such as glass beads. The castle purchased slaves, gold, ivory, camwood, beeswax, and cowhides from the local traders.
------ SLAVE CASTLE ------
One of about 40 large commercial forts Europeans built on the coast of West Africa to facilitate the Atlantic Slave Trade. BRITISH slave traders operated here from about 1668 to 1807. During the 140 years of operation, Bunce Island sent over 50,000 men, women & children to slavery on plantations in the West Indies and North America.
The castle was called "Bence Island" but later called Bense, George and Bance Island
Many of the fortifications still exist as does part of the inner and outer walls. Please do not pick up artifacts,climb walls, disturb ruins or leave rubbish.
USEFUL LINKS & ADDITIONAL INFO
(courtesy Joseph Opala, leading anthropologist and historian)
http://www.yale.edu/glc/priscilla/
http://www.statehouse-sl.org/pris-homecom-may30.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4460964.stm
http://www.charlestonmag.com/pop_archive1.html
http://www.terra.es/personal/inkoak/entlyci.htm
http://newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0053
Tours will originate from the CAPE AREA.
Duration: 4hrs (Travel to/from island and tour)
Cost: Adult $50-$75/child $30-$45
(service by speed boat-min.4 passg & local vessel-40passg.)
Includes transportation to/from Bunce Island, fully guided tour, tour of surrounding area, snacks & refreshments.
Tickets: MUST BE IN ADVANCE..Afrikasgems Tour/Mt Lion Excursions,8 Beoku Lane, Freetown(Congo Cross) or Harekvin store, 7 Liverpool St.
Tel: SL 22 230478/076 254577-79/033 488310
Tel: US 301-322-2762/fax 301-560-5287
email: agtm@earthlink.net |
Date(s): Updated, November 2007. Album by Tour Coordinator. Photos by E.B. at AfrikasGems. 1 - 18 of 18 Total. 2998 Visits. |
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