Elmina Castle
ELMINA CASTLE 2007 I never visited a slave castle during the time I lived in Ghana 1960 to 1976, although I passed them many times during my travel’s to and from the Ivory Coast. The few times I enquired of them, I was told that no one goes there and they were evil places, like cemeteries, then the conversations would change to something else.. Thereafter, I’d do like most Ghanaians, just ignore them. The photographs in this picture book were taken during my 2007 visit as guest of my adoptive family..
Entrance to officers quarters
Biblical verses found Throughout the slave castle, as if to justify savagery of slavery.
Waiting cell where captives in chains, waited for slave ships to carry them to the new world. Sometimes for months.
Our Tour-Guide “center� explains the surrounding area and evil activities that took place.
He told of rape and murder of those who refused or fought back, all witnessed by the governor and commanding officers from the balcony above.
Guide point out Governor’s quarters during wartimes or unrest amongst the natives of surrounding area..
Our tour guide explain how the slaves castle commander would set on his balcony entertaining guests as white soldiers and sailors raped young slavers in courtyard below.
Often I’d double back for a clearer shot.
Western view from castle wall.
I’ll probably recapture some of these images in painting some day.
Such views were never witness by capture slaves in dungeons below
Tourist take a private moment to meditate on what she just seen and witnessed.
Building on right, housed officers and dining room ;on left soldiers, sailors and personal
This area once held the uppermost of fifty slaves,, all chained together, explained our guide.
Concealed doorway leading to stairway where young virgins, favored by the governor, would be carried to the governor quarters and raped at his leisure.
Our tour guide was an excellence storyteller.
Our driver Yaw, gazed in amazement at the Secret Stairway
Dark Dungeons where slaves awaiting ships,, were stored by the hundreds. Sometimes for weeks.
Pits, leading to the ocean below, such as the one shown above-right, where sharks waited below, were located throughout areas where slaves were kept, for those that died.
Four cannonballs would be placed in the courtyard, where young virgins were shackled hands and feet, so white soldiers and sailors could leisurely take time mass raping them.
Here they were made to lay in their own body waste for weeks,, you can imagine the odor.
Bared door such as the one in photo above, were in all dungeons that appear in photographs featured in this picture book.
One of many dungeons of the Elmina Slave Castle.
Arrival of another group.
Uncovered pit where hungry sharks wait for slain slaves.
Ghana government encourages indigenous Africans to tour such coastal castles. Free admission
We say our good byes, to our tour guide, along a with a generous tip.
Last minute View before ending my tour.
Small gallery near castle exit, exhibits art work of students attending nearby schools.
Tour end for our group
Calendar, viewed from castle wall
The Door Of No Return.. “They go, but no return”
YAW, OUR DRIVER CAPTURED THIS IMAGE OF BROTHER MUHAMMAD, HIS LADY AND I..
DOOR OF NO RETURN. THIS DOOR WAS THE LAST MEMORY OF MANY
It would be as impossible for my ancestors to imagine our mode of travel, as it would be for us to imagine theirs.
Mr. Morrow is an Artist, Author and Freelance-Photographer. He was born in Chicago, 1933. His family later moved to Buchanan, Michigan. As a kid, he was continually told what he could not do because of his race. It was a very frustrating time of his life. However, at the age of nine, a Pullman Porter named Mr. Ross gave him a book which was the bio of an African-American, Matthew Henson, an American explorer. This changed the course of his life. It freed his mind to believe that he could do or be whatever he desired to do.
At age 17, living with his mother and six younger siblings, he convinced his mother he could help her more if she would sign a consent for him to join the U. S. Army. He assured her that while in the military he would continue his education.
Shortly after basic training, he heard of the so call police-action taking place in Korea. Like many other adventure seeking young soldiers, Curtis Morrow volunteered for duties there not realizing the reality of a war.
After 9 months of combat service on the frontline, 2 purple hearts, and other combat related metals, 2 ½ years as a U. S. Paratrooper station in Southern Japan.. In 1954 Mr. Morrow was honorable discharged from U. S. Army.
Online interviews @; U-tube:>
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qw7zqvlPEXY
On his return to America, he attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago from 1957 to 1959. He later studied under Professor Augusta Nall, an instructor at the Washington Park Community Center.. Morrow was grateful that he was chosen as his understudy. He credits Professor Nall with not only teaching the fundamental of art but how to live and think like an artist.
After 4 years under the tutelage of Gus Nall, Morrow relocated to New York to develop his own style. While there (1962 to 1965) he became disillusioned with the social and political situation.
It was during the this time, Morrow decided to relocate to Ghana, West Africa.
He lived in Ghana for eleven (11) years, 1965 to 1976. After being adopted and renamed, (Kojo-Achampong) by an Ashanti Paramount Chief, Nana Kwaku Duah.
Ashanti Paramount Chief , Nana Kwaku Duah; Agogohene Ashanti-Akim (center)
Mr. Morrow was introduced to the art of jewelry making by carving traditional jewelry from cow-horns and ivory. Learning this trade not only enabled him to earn a living but also to employ several Ghanaian who in turn taught him their traditional customs and languages.
On his return to America in 1976, Mr. Morrow aka “Kojo,” applied his carving skill into waxcarving of jewelry designs, known as; jewelry model-making and lost wax casting
http://www.amazon.com/My-Sankofa-ebook/dp/B006OV0D6K/ref=pd_rhf_cr_p_img_2
“After 35 years of jewelry designing and lost-wax casting, I have returned to my first love, oil painting and photography.”
Now, in my 80th plus years, I plan to spend the remaining of my years, cataloging my works of art & photography.
"The Artist's Odyssey"
https://t.co/uDhhkKyGVj
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