These photos are exclusively Maison des Esclaves. The first picture is a view from the outside. The second is the first view as you enter the house- it's of a dual-staircase that leads up to a large space (probably used for business/living). Also in this photo, however, you can see in the center an open passageway that leads out to the ocean- supposedly this is where slaves would exit onto the ships that would take them to their final destinations, but this is debatable. Some scholars believe this is an impossible explanation for the open passageway, as there are too many rocks below to allow for a boat to get near enough. In general, it's debatable how many slaves actually went through this maison, but for me, I think it is the symbolism more than anything that is important. For me, it puts a name to a face, so to speak. The third, fourth, and fifth photos show how rooms/cells are divided up by Hommes (men), Femmes (women), Jeune Fils (young ones), and Enfants (babies, toddlers). You can also get a good sense of how small these spaces are.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Goree photos 4
These photos are exclusively Maison des Esclaves. The first picture is a view from the outside. The second is the first view as you enter the house- it's of a dual-staircase that leads up to a large space (probably used for business/living). Also in this photo, however, you can see in the center an open passageway that leads out to the ocean- supposedly this is where slaves would exit onto the ships that would take them to their final destinations, but this is debatable. Some scholars believe this is an impossible explanation for the open passageway, as there are too many rocks below to allow for a boat to get near enough. In general, it's debatable how many slaves actually went through this maison, but for me, I think it is the symbolism more than anything that is important. For me, it puts a name to a face, so to speak. The third, fourth, and fifth photos show how rooms/cells are divided up by Hommes (men), Femmes (women), Jeune Fils (young ones), and Enfants (babies, toddlers). You can also get a good sense of how small these spaces are.
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