YBPGuide - Latest Comments in ‘Door of No Return’ in Ghana open to tourists

Re: ‘Door of No Return’ in Ghana open to tourists

RODJUAN — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:45:29 -0000

Too many of us will not have or take the opportunity to travel to these sites. But the pain experienced by those who did is the same pain we as Africans in the Diasporas feel. It's the pain that causes us to rise up and burn down our neighrborhoods such as Watts, and Newark. This is direct evidence that pain is energy and energy cannot be destroyed, it has to be toned.

A weep here and a weep there without focus is tantamount to trying to move the boulder away from the tomb of Christ with a wish. It is not enough to cry, WE HAVE TO MOURN.

Mourning is not feeling sorry for ourselves, it is reconciliation, it is a ritual of settling with those who have died, allowing their spirits to cross over. In this case our ancestors did not just die, they were slaughtered brutally, life was intentionally snuffed out of them in most horrific ways, as a result they are still trapped in a realm where they are helpless and still in much agony. By mourning for them, we release them from this static non-exixtence allowing them to cross over, we effectively tone the pain of the past into useful and healing energy.

An INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING will take place on JUNE 19TH, 2007 and continue for 7 years on that day, after which that day becomes a day of celebration. AFRICANS UNITE.

Re: ‘Door of No Return’ in Ghana open to tourists

Lakeya Chase — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 02:46:07 -0000

I am a college student and I was able to spend a month in Ghana January of 2006. I too experienced the overwhelming feeling of sorrow for the many lives that have failed to return through the door. I wrote an essay on my experience and also a poem of my visit to the castle. One of the lines of my essay asks the question, "How can such place, be filled with grace?" In this same castle there is a chapel that the slave owners worshipped in. It is hard to imagine slave owners praising and worshipping God just above the area where some slaves were kept. Along with the "Door of no return" there was a place where slave women were forced to stand if they refused to have sexual relations with the masters. I believe the tour guide said canon balls were thrown at the women for their refusal. Again I ask, "How can such a place be filled with grace?" My experience was life changing and I encourage all African Americans to go.... I am a young college student, if God can provide a way for me to go, he is not a respector of persons, he can make a way for you. God Bless~

Re: ‘Door of No Return’ in Ghana open to tourists

Sheria — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:25:09 -0000

My dad was able to tour the castle. He said he was overwhelmed and brought to tears when he saw the inhumane conditions so many people were subjected to.

Re: ‘Door of No Return’ in Ghana open to tourists

Jess — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:49:22 -0000

If you follow the link for the Door of No Return, it will take you to a Wikipedia entry describing The Slave House in Senegal.
The Door of No Return in Cape Coast castle is the one illustrated in the picture. There is a smaller room in the Castle that is connected to a tunnel like holding cell, where slaves were kept prior to being placed on ships. This smaller room also has a Door of No Return, which is much narrower and shorter than its larger counterpart in the Castle's courtyard. Today this doorway is barred, and it looks directly towards the Coast, over the beach. I asked our guides if this doorway had actually been used, and was told that the water line was much closer than it is today, and slaves were placed onto ships from that location. It is this Door of No Return that I spoke about in my previous comment.
http://www.iveknownrivers.org/read.php?id=38
See also
http://www.economist.com/world/international/Pr...
And
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264...