Visiting the Ancestral Slave River Site in Ghana
“The strength of an African is the strength of the river”
“Every river flows for miles until it reaches the ocean. It perseveres, it is focused on its goal to merge with the ocean. It faces challenges on its journey — boulders, turns and so on, but it continues to flow.”
Visiting the Assin Manso slave river site was a surreal experience. It was at this location in Ghana that captured slaves took their last bath on their own land before being marched over 300 miles to the slave castles on the coast where they would then be sent by boat to the Americas.
I had heard about this site a few years back and knew I had to pay it a visit whenever I made it to Ghana.
Well, that time came quickly in December 2023 when I was headed on my first trip to Ghana! Ironically, someone I met previously in Lisbon, had shared her contact for a local guide in Ghana that led tours to the site and Cape Coast Castle. I connected with Kwame of Kwame Cultural Tours about a month before my trip to book a tour with him for our group.
The Experience
Kwame picked us up from our hotel in Accra and drove us to the site of the river, which is about 2.5 hours from the city.
Once we arrived, we were led through the site by a spiritualist who gave us the history of the location. He reminded us that we were NOT tourists and this was our land to reclaim. We walked barefoot on the same path of our ancestors as they embarked on the beginning of the journey of the transatlantic slave trade.
Our ancestors took what was called the “Last Bath”. But our guide reminded us that we were able to now do something our ancestors were never able to do, which is return home. This is why now we walk under the “First Bath of Return” signifying our coming back home to pay homage and honor the sacrifices our ancestors were forced to make for us.
At the end of the visit, we walked back to the main site and were welcomed by dancers to signify a celebration. A celebration of a new beginning.
The experience is very heavy, yet beautiful and unique to each individual. It truly can be a healing experience for everyone involved.
