Stories and facts

Elmina Castle, originally known as Castelo de São Jorge da Mina, was constructed by the Portuguese in 1482 in Elmina, Ghana. It was the first trading post on the Gulf of Guinea and the oldest European building south of the Sahara. Initially established as a trade settlement, the castle later became a significant hub in the Atlantic slave trade.

The Dutch seized control of the fort from the Portuguese in 1637 and continued the slave trade until 1814. In 1872, the British took over the castle and the Dutch Gold Coast. Ghana gained independence in 1957 and currently oversees the castle. Elmina Castle is a renowned historical site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, representing the Atlantic slave trade. It is a popular tourist attraction in Ghana's Central Region.

The inhabitants of Elmina before the arrival of the Portuguese were likely Fante people, with ancestral ties to the Akan. They had a strong connection to trade, including gold trade with the Mediterranean and Near Eastern regions. The West African coastal communities were organized into various populations based on kinship lines, with family and local authorities playing crucial roles. Elmina was situated between two Fante kingdoms, Fetu and Eguafo.

History

The Portuguese first arrived on the Gold Coast in 1471, attracted by reports of fertile lands abundant in gold and ivory. They aimed to establish trade routes and find a southern route to India. Religious motives, such as Christian proselytism and the search for Prester John, also influenced their expeditions. The Portuguese gradually explored the African coast, reaching Elmina in 1471. The establishment of a thriving gold trade between the natives, Arabs, and Berbers prompted the Portuguese to build a trading post called "A Mina" (the Mine) at Elmina.

Construction

To protect the trade and assert their control, the Portuguese decided to construct a fort in 1481. King João II sent the necessary materials and provisions for six hundred men, and construction began in January 1482. The locals, initially reluctant to allow the fort's construction, eventually agreed after negotiations and gifts. Despite some opposition and conflicts, the fort and the church were completed within a short period.

The completion of Elmina Castle marked the permanent involvement of Europeans in West Africa. The fort became a significant military and economic centre, overshadowing the Portuguese factory at Arguim Island. The gold trade reached its peak in the early sixteenth century, with Elmina exporting 24,000 ounces of gold annually, accounting for a significant portion of the world's supply.

The European presence in Elmina led to changes in local societies. The Portuguese offered protection against neighbouring tribes in exchange for exclusive trading rights. They enforced trade restrictions and alliances through force, disrupting traditional trade routes. European involvement also increased the availability of goods like cloth and beads along the coast. The population of Elmina grew as traders from other towns sought to engage in Portuguese trade, leading to the establishment of a West African monopoly.

West African slave trade

By the seventeenth century, the slave trade became the primary focus of commerce in West Africa. São Jorge da Mina played a significant role as a transhipment point for enslaved Africans captured from different kingdoms in West Africa. Slaves were exchanged for goods such as textiles and horses. The Dutch captured the castle in 1637 and made it the capital of the Dutch Gold Coast. They continued the slave trade until 1814 when it was abolished as a result of the Anglo-Dutch Slave Trade Treaty. In 1872, the British took over the castle and the Dutch territory.

Renovation and 3D documentation through terrestrial laser scanning

In the 1990s, the Ghanaian government extensively restored Elmina Castle, and it now serves as a national museum. The castle's renovation continues, and it remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Elmina relies on tourism and fishing for its economy. The castle holds significance for African Americans seeking to connect with their heritage. In 2006, the Zamani Project documented the castle using 3D laser scanning, creating a digital record for research, education, restoration, and conservation purposes.

Elmina Castle serves as a powerful proof to the resilience of African people and the long-lasting impact of the transatlantic slave trade. Its eerie halls and dungeons provide undeniable evidence of the unimaginable suffering experienced by millions. Through its conversion into a museum, the castle becomes a significant educational and commemorative resource. Elmina Castle serves as a constant reminder that recognizing historical truths is essential in cultivating a future founded on justice, equality, and universal respect.