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Goreé Island, Senegal (February 2009)

Goreé Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located only 3 kilometers west of Dakar. It is famous for its role in the history of Africa, particularly in the development of the slave trade. Today, it is a quaint haunt for tourists with about 1,000 residents. The island was probably first discovered by the Portuguese explorer Dias in 1444 and was colonized in 1817, after the Dutch bought the island from a local chief for a mere pittance. Goreé changed hands many times. The British took it from the Dutch, the Dutch then recaptured it, but they had to give it up to the French during French maritime expansion under Colbert. Gorée is famous for its role in the Atlantic slave trade. In reality, relatively few slaves were processed or transported from there. The more important centers for the slave trade were in northern Senegal, in Saint-Louis and south of Senegal in Gambia. Probably no more than a few hundred slaves a year transported from the House of Slaves in Gorée to the Americas. Despite that, Gorée is an important destination for African-Americans who come to pay their respects and reflect upon their past. Almost everyone who visits Gorée is deeply moved by its symbolic significance.
Goreé Island, Senegal cover page.
Goreé Island, Senegal cover page.		 Map of Senegal with the star indicating Goreé Island.
Map of Senegal with the star indicating Goreé Island.		 The ferry terminal in Dakar where passengers embark for the 20 minute trip to Goreé Island.
The ferry terminal in Dakar where passengers embark for the 20 minute trip to Goreé Island.		 Passengers on the Goreé Island ferry.
Passengers on the Goreé Island ferry.
The ferry was crowded. Beautiful women ride on the boat trying to lure customers to their shops on the island.
The ferry was crowded. Beautiful women ride on the boat trying to lure customers to their shops on the island.		 View of Goreé Island from the ferry. It is the area's most famous tourist attraction.
View of Goreé Island from the ferry. It is the area's most famous tourist attraction.		 The rocky coastline of the island as the ferry was approaching.
The rocky coastline of the island as the ferry was approaching.		 Boats were moored near the dock where we disembarked.
Boats were moored near the dock where we disembarked.
The police station on Goreé Island. It used to be a chapel constructed by Portuguese navigators during the 15th century.
The police station on Goreé Island. It used to be a chapel constructed by Portuguese navigators during the 15th century.		 Medical office with the Senegal flag flying in front of it at Place de l'Eglise.
Medical office with the Senegal flag flying in front of it at Place de l'Eglise.		 St. Charles Church on Place de l'Eglise (renamed Place du Cardinal Hyacinthe, after the Archbishop of Dakar).
St. Charles Church on Place de l'Eglise (renamed Place du Cardinal Hyacinthe, after the Archbishop of Dakar).		 The church was built with public contributions in 1830 in the style of provincial churches in western France.
The church was built with public contributions in 1830 in the style of provincial churches in western France.
Walkway on Goreé Island that leads up to St. Michael's Castle and to the the Slavery Monument.
Walkway on Goreé Island that leads up to St. Michael's Castle and to the the Slavery Monument.		 Along the pathway, artists were selling their work.
Along the pathway, artists were selling their work.		 More artwork for sale along the path.
More artwork for sale along the path.		 These two men were hoping to sell some of their paintings.
These two men were hoping to sell some of their paintings.
Colorful artwork on display on the wall.
Colorful artwork on display on the wall.		 Humorous painting that I bought on Goreé Island. Fortunately, I needed no services of a doctor while there!
Humorous painting that I bought on Goreé Island. Fortunately, I needed no services of a doctor while there!		 A souvenir and craft shop on Goreé Island.
A souvenir and craft shop on Goreé Island.		 Steps leading alongside an ancient looking building.
Steps leading alongside an ancient looking building.
Artwork for sale in front of this house on Goreé Island.
Artwork for sale in front of this house on Goreé Island.		 View of houses and of the harbor behind the trees.
View of houses and of the harbor behind the trees.		 Colonial style houses with terra cotta rooftops.
Colonial style houses with terra cotta rooftops.		 Concrete Slavery Monument on top of a hill. Many African Americans make pilgrimages here to come to terms with their past.
Concrete Slavery Monument on top of a hill. Many African Americans make pilgrimages here to come to terms with their past.
Guns on the hill at Goreé Island near St. Michael's Castle.
Guns on the hill at Goreé Island near St. Michael's Castle.		 These guns were used for filming the movie, The Guns of Navarone in 1961.
These guns were used for filming the movie, "The Guns of Navarone" in 1961.		 Art Gallery on top of the hill with sand paintings.
Art Gallery on top of the hill with sand paintings.		 Some of the sand paintings that were for sale.
Some of the sand paintings that were for sale.
These carved wooden artifacts were also for sale.
These carved wooden artifacts were also for sale.		 More paintings that were on display as I started down the hill on Goreé Island.
More paintings that were on display as I started down the hill on Goreé Island.		 Cows on along the pathway on the hill.
Cows on along the pathway on the hill.		 Close-up of the cows.
Close-up of the cows.
A dirt path on the lower part of the island.
A dirt path on the lower part of the island.		 This stone house is obviously many centuries old.
This stone house is obviously many centuries old.		 A pastel-colored house behind an interesting tree.
A pastel-colored house behind an interesting tree.		 Children walking down a path. Many of the colonial houses on Goreé Island are painted in pastel colors.
Children walking down a path. Many of the colonial houses on Goreé Island are painted in pastel colors.
Sign for the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves), which was the shipping point for slaves going to the Americas.
Sign for the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves), which was the shipping point for slaves going to the Americas.		 House of Slaves where shackled Africans were inprisoned. Only about 10% of them survived to make it the Americas.
House of Slaves where shackled Africans were inprisoned. Only about 10% of them survived to make it the Americas.		 Interior of slave quarters where Africans were crowded into cells waiting to be transported.
Interior of slave quarters where Africans were crowded into cells waiting to be transported.		 Slavery statue on Goreé Island symbolizing African slaves becoming unshackled.
Slavery statue on Goreé Island symbolizing African slaves becoming unshackled.

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Ben 22-Jun-2009 21:01
Your presentation is well balanced in presenting many sides of the island providing a good understanding of what life was like and is like there today. The pictures depicting the aspects of the slave trade strike deep in my consience and move me to shame of how too many human beings were treated by other humans.
Guest 22-Jun-2009 17:18
Once again, you have outdone yourself capturing the life and culture of the country. Thank you for some amazing pictures.
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