Salaga Slave Market
Salaga Slave Market is an 18th-century slave market located in the East Gonja District of northern Ghana. During the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, Salaga served as an important market where slaves were transported to the coast for export.[1][2][3] The market also served as outposts for the movement of slaves along the trans-Saharan routes.[4]
History
[edit]From the 16th century, Salaga was one of leading market centers in West Africa.[5] Salaga was founded by the Mande leader Dyakpa Nde wura in 16th century Gonja kingdom before being overrun by Asante forces in 1744. [6] Kola, beads, ostrich feathers, animal hides, textiles and gold were among the goods traded in the market.[1] However, in the 18th century, the market became a key center in the trading of humans. People from the Upper west, Upper East and Northern Regions served as sources for slaves. Slaves from the market were mostly exchanged for Kola nuts, cowries and gold.[7]
At the market, there were various stands for slaves, cattle, sheep, and merchandise. Slaves would be inspected and bargained for a price. [8] Everyone benefited from slavery at the market as it became a commercial venture. Local chiefs benefited through the sale of slaves. Although there was a sentiment that the practice was inhumane, it became a common feature of life in Salaga. [9]
Salaga Today
[edit]In modern times, the Salaga Slave market was abandoned by the East Gonja District Assembly and the Ghana Tourism Authority. It has been reduced to a parking space or used mainly for business activities. [10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Salaga Slave Market; A potential tourist site". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ "Figure 3.2 'Welcome to Salaga Slave Market', Salaga (photograph:..." ResearchGate. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ "The Story of Africa| BBC World Service". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ Bailey, Anne Caroline (2005). African Voices of the Atlantic Slave Trade: Beyond the Silence and the Shame. Beacon Press. ISBN 9780807055120.
- ^ Johnson, Marion (July 1986). "The Slaves of Salaga*". The Journal of African History. 27 (2): 341–362. doi:10.1017/S0021853700036707. ISSN 1469-5138. S2CID 162923525.
- ^ Bailey, Anne Caroline (2005). African Voices of the Atlantic Slave Trade: Beyond the Silence and the Shame. Beacon Press. ISBN 9780807055120.
- ^ "Slave Trade Program at Salaga | SYTO GHANA". www.sytoghana.org. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
- ^ Johnson, Marion. “The Slaves of Salaga.” The Journal of African History, vol. 27, no. 2, 1986, pp. 341–62. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/181139. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
- ^ "The Story of Africa| BBC World Service". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ “Salaga Slave Market; a Potential Tourist Site -Graphic Online.” Graphic.com.gh, 19 Sept. 2016, www.graphic.com.gh/features/features/salaga-slave-market-a-potential-tourist-site.html. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Salaga Slave Museum at Wikimedia Commons
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