The History of Badagry Slave Trade

I'm sure most of you know that Badagry was an important slave route in West Africa during the Slave Trade era.

This ancient town of Badagry was founded around l425 A.D. Before its existence, people lived along the Coast of Gberefu and this area later gave birth to the town of Badagry. It is the second largest commercial town in Lagos State, located an hour from Lagos and half hour from the Republic du Benin. The Town of Badgry is bordered on the south by the Gulf of Guinea and surrounded by creeks, islands and a lake. The ancient town served mainly the Oyo Empire which was comprised of Yoruba and Ogu people. Today, the Aworis and Egun are mainly the people who reside in the town of Badagry as well as in Ogun State in Nigeria and in the neighboring Republic of Benin.

In the early 1500's, slaves were transported from West Africa to America through Badagry. It is reported that Badagry exported no fewer than 550,000 African slaves to America during the period of the American Independence in l787. In addition, slaves were transported to Europe, South America and the Caribbean. The slaves came mainly from West Africa and the neighboring countries of Benin and Togo as well as others parts of Nigeria. The slave trade became the major source of income for the Europeans in Badagry.

The town of Badagry wants to enlighten the world to its historic sites, landscapes, cultural artifacts and relics of human slavery. They are preserving buildings, sites and memories of this iniquitous period so that tourists can unearth the dark impact of this era. Places of interest include the Palace of the Akran of Badagry and its mini ethnographic museum, the early missionaries cemetery, the District Officer's Office and Residence, the First Storey Building in Nigeria constructed by the Anglican missionaries, relics of slave chains in the mini museum of slave trade, cannons of war, the Vlekte slave Market, and the Slave Port established for the shipment of slaves before the l6th century.


Here's a history of the slave trade in Badagry in pictures

The holding cell for men, used just prior to sending the men off to the boat

This is the wharf from which the slaves were transported across the water to the "Point of No Return".

The slave market at Posuko was the main center of the Slave Trade.

A plaque officially commissioning the Badagry Slave Route ProjectMay 18, 1999

The "Point of No Return is across the water, just to the right of the boat.

Slavery was abolished in 1886. This cannon was used to enforce the law.

Entry way to the wharf.

Another view of the wharf, from which the slaves left for points unknown

First copy of the Bible translated into Yoruba language by Rev. Gollmer.

Revd Thomas Birch Freeman, first missionary from England to Nigeria.

Freeman Memorial Methodist Cathedral.

First Storey building in Nigeria.

This is the Slave Relics Museum, where relics from the Badagry Slave Trade era are being kept.

Badagry is a place y'all need to visit. I've been there once but didn't get the opportunity to tour the place, but I plan to do so before the end of year. Anyone wants to go with me? Holla at me.

If you learnt anything new today...drop a comment! Kisses! Linda