FORT JAMES OP JAMES ISLAND

James Island is à very impressive site to visit.

 

James Island in 1726

 

The island is situated in The Gambia River approximately 40 Km from Banjul.

In the times of slavery the island was used as gathering station for the slaves that were captured on the mainland of Africa. The slaves were held prisoner for several weeks on this island to prepare them for the long cross-Atlantic journey. From here they were shipped out to various plantations in The U.S, The Antilles and Suriname.

These preparations consisted of breaking the slaves both spiritually and mentally by use of horrific means. This way the slave-traders made sure there would not be an outbreak of resistance on the ships that transported the slaves.

The ruins of the English built Fort James still stand there as a silent witness of all the atrocities that took place on the island.

In the village of Juffureh, on the mainland at the docks for the pirogues (canoes) heading to James Island, is a museum with objects, stories and paintings form the slave period. This museum is also definitely very much worth a visit.

 

 

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