How much do you know about the Badagry Slave Route and the Bridge of No Return, and other tourist sites in Nigeria that possess the power to ignite enduring memories?
Tourism in Nigeria offers immense benefits. It contributes to economic growth through increased GDP, foreign exchange earnings and job creation. It supports infrastructure development such as roads and hotels, aids poverty reduction through local spending and artisan trade, and promotes cultural preservation by sustaining festivals and heritage sites.
Yet, some destinations, such as the Badagry Slave Route and the Bridge of No Return, evoke intense and sobering emotions. Located in Badagry, Lagos State, the site bears the weight of profound historical trauma. Remnants of slave dungeons, holding areas and the jetty where enslaved people took their final steps on African soil make the experience deeply moving and unsettling.
The Badagry Slave Route and the Bridge of No Return are among Nigeria’s most significant historical landmarks, tracing the path taken by enslaved Africans during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. Any account of the slave trade in Nigeria is incomplete without reference to this route, which represents the entire journey from capture and auction to forced departure across the Atlantic.
Central to this history is the Vlekete Slave Market, which historians date to as early as 1502. It was one of the largest slave markets in the region, where people captured from the hinterlands were auctioned in exchange for commodities such as iron bars, mirrors and gin.
After purchase, enslaved individuals were taken to slave barracoons, including the Brazilian Barracoon, where they were confined in harsh conditions for weeks or months. From there, they were marched through designated routes named after dominant European powers of the time, including Dutch, Portuguese, English, French and Brazilian routes, towards the coast and onward to Gberefu Island.
According to local accounts and oral history, Gberefu Island also housed a sacred well, often referred to as a spirit attenuation well. It was believed that captives were forced to drink from it to weaken resistance and dull memories of home, making them more submissive during the journey ahead.
The Bridge of No Return itself symbolises the final point of departure. It refers to the last jetty from which enslaved Africans were conveyed to waiting ships bound for the Americas and the Caribbean. Historical estimates suggest that millions of Africans were shipped across the Atlantic between the 16th and 19th centuries. Once captives crossed this point, they were forbidden from turning back, severing all ties with their homeland and families.
Originally built in 1795, the bridge was a floating jetty constructed by European traders. Today, the site is marked by two symbolic, slightly slanted poles facing the Atlantic Ocean, standing as a solemn reminder of this painful chapter in history.
A visit to the Badagry Slave Route today offers both an emotional and educational experience. Tourists are guided through preserved sites and museums that display historical relics and artefacts from the era. The journey often includes a boat ride across the lagoon to Gberefu Island, allowing visitors to walk the actual route taken by the enslaved people to the Point of No Return.
Beyond its haunting past, Badagry stands as a powerful reminder of history, resilience and the importance of remembrance, reinforcing the role of tourism in preserving heritage and educating future generations.
The story and legacy of the Badagry Slave Route and the Bridge of No Return
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