The Past versus Contemporary History In Gorée

Courtesy of Aljazeera, Gorée Island, Dakar, Senegal.

Gorée Island (Île de Gorée) off the coast of the Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, is known as the location of the House of Slaves (French: Maison des esclaves).

The House of Slaves was built about 1780–1784, but is now a tourist destination to show the horrors of the Atlantic slave trade.

Biram Diop is the new race director for the 5 km prison island swim from the Senegal mainland to Gorée Island.

But as reporter Nicolas Haque says here, “This stretch of Atlantic Ocean that separates Dakar from Goree is of historical importance. The island was a major hub for the African slave trade where African men, women and children were captured and boarded in ships to America.

Some in chains tried to escape and swim to the mainland in what was shark-infested water.

This isn’t just a swim race. It is a tribute to those who were remained defiant refusing their fate as slaves instead of swimming to their freedom and resistance and the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity.”

Senegal naval soldier Adama Thiaw Ndir said after his victory, “This is a victory, not only for me, but for all our people here in Senegal and around the world.

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