COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY TO MARK HISTORIC MOMENT IN ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE

In collaboration with the British Council and the Government of Ghana, artists from across Africa and the UK will perform at the landmark UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elmina Castle , Ghana, on Sunday 25 March, 2007, to mark the passing of the British Government's Abolition of the Slave Trade Act two-hundred years ago. The year also marks the 50 th anniversary of Ghana's independence - the first sub-Saharan African country to break away from European colonisation – which inspired independence movements across the continent.

Artists to perform at the former-slave fort have been confirmed as the London Community Gospel Choir ; celebrated Jamaican reggae dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson; South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela; performance poet Zena Edwards; Kora player and DJ Wali Cham; and many other artists including violinist Eliza Carthy, Obour, and Ghanaian-band Amandzeba.

Plans are now in place to broadcast the historic event on giant screens across the UK with commemorative services taking place in the iconic-port cities of Hull, Bristol, Liverpool and London . The commemorative ceremony at Elmina Castle also sets the stage for a regional, long-term British Council initiative entitled Africa 2007 . Launched in Ghana last month by the Rt Hon John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, Africa 2007 aims to engage individuals and communities in Africa and the UK through a series of projects for professional, youth and artistic communities. British Council Ghana Director, Moses Anibaba, said: `In Africa, the past does matter. It explains the present and no nation can move forward without it. The British Council's Africa 2007 programme really explores and reflects on that past. But, importantly, it looks at the past in relation to its impact on the present and future. Just as these two anniversaries mark significant changes in how Africa and the UK relate to each other, it is our hope that Africa 2007 will mark a significant step change in our relationship for the future. By this, I mean demystifying and challenging age-old perceptions that Africa is forever dependent on the UK and the west for its success and future.'

British Council Africa 2007 Regional Manager, Nigel Tallantire, added: `The aim of the three-year programme is to explore notions of culture and identity to generate fresh ideas and create new understandings between individuals and communities in Africa and the UK through a number of far-reaching events and activities.' The British Council's Africa 2007 programme falls under three broad themes: • Creative Celebrations will draw together musicians and artists from 12 countries to collaborate on creative fusions between African/UK music and visual art. The works will be performed at major events this year and will tour Africa and the UK in 2008 • Different Lives takes a fresh and innovative approach in engaging people across Africa and the UK to look at the relationship with Africa and Britain through inspirational leadership programmes (e.g. InterAction), professional job swaps, intercultural workshops and conferences • Footprints will explore the heritage and identity of individuals and communities in the UK and Africa through two projects; Belongings and Footsteps to Independence. Both include a raft of initiatives culminating in youth cultural exchanges (e.g. Connecting Classrooms, Connect Youth) and an exhibition exploring personal histories from Africa and the Diaspora to be displayed in museums across Africa and the UK. In addition, Counterpoint - the cultural relations think-tank of the British Council - is launching a publication called Under the Tree of Talking: Leadership for Change in Africa which contains a thought-provoking collection of essays by distinguished thinkers and leaders who provide insights into leadership cultures in different African contexts.

Press Release from the British Council Feb 2007

About Elmina Castle

The Portuguese built the castle in 1482, originally established as a trading post for goods bartered for local gold and valuable gem. However, as the demand for slaves increased in the Americas and Caribbean, the castle became strategic in the perpetuation of this abhorrent human cargo trade. The storerooms of the castle were converted into dungeons, and the ownership of the castle changed hands several times, eventually ending up being seized by the British in 1872. By this time, slavery had been abolished. The British didn't use Elmina to house slaves; they used Cape Coast Castle for that.

Elmina Castle, known then as the slave castle, is one of over twenty castles built along the shoreline of the Gold Coast (now known as Ghana). The Gold Coast was one of the richest markets for slave traders during the peak of the slave trade. Hundreds of thousands of captives passed through the dungeons of Elmina Castle, and were shipped off, like commodities into the Americas and Caribbean against their wishes. This illicit human trade carried on for close to 300 years.

Slaves were captured through civil wars, and out-and-out attacks on villages. In some cases, social deviants were alleged to have been sold into slavery. Other times also, slaves were simply captured by slave hunters, like Kunta Kinte was in the Gambia. They were shackled and made to march gruelling journeys, which could last hundreds of miles at times. It could be days or weeks before the slaves reached Elmina Castle and other castles and forts along the coast. Half of all captives did not even make it.

Not knowing what awaited them on the slave ships, those who made it to the coast were held captives in the castle's dungeons. They were subjected to all sorts of indignities, intimidation and torture. They were shackled in the damp and dark dungeons. It is said that up to three hundred captives were packed into each dungeon, without room to even lift an arm or move around. Food was scarce and disease was rampant.

The unsanitary conditions under which the captives lived were unbelievable. Without room to breathe properly in those dungeons, the captives had to defecate there. The sick were often not attended to, and many of them died while held captives there. Air quality wasn't a priority. The stench in those dungeons must have been nauseating. Even today, the dungeons still reek.

Extract taken from www.blackhistorysociety.ca