“I’m not an emotional person but, this is the area where I found myself having mixed emotions. The place stirs up feelings of pain, rejection, anger, bitterness, and sadness in an individual. I thought I knew the past pain of slavery based on my country experience, but what I saw here, I can’t put in words. This is the place whereby if you come to visit without knowing you ultimate purpose, you go out knowing it. Yeah to be the change you want to see. The cells they kept our black people in, as slaves, even the kneels for dogs are luxury. Seeing the place where the women were punished for being rebellious, stirred up pain and anguish in me. Then a door of no return … my God … that dark passage just confirms your fears before reaching the door. The door designed to take them away never to be seen again. Some tossed in the sea to die. Then I asked myself is or was being black a curse? What have we done wrong to deserve all that? A place is a must visit but be prepared emotionally. It is really a hard pill to swallow”
– Apostle Mercedes Mabuse
South Africa
“Elmina Castle is a must visit for everyone. It is difficult to put my experience into word. Upon walking in with instant silence I felt a great deal of sadness knowing I was walking the path of my ancestors. Looking out the door of no return to the very sea they sailed away to unknown places. I also got the feeling that my visit there somehow brought them back home. It was a very humbling experience”
– Dr.Terri Grant
United States