By Joseph Momoh, Reporter, D.S
Bunce Island, located in the Sierra Leone River, serves as a somber reminder of the transatlantic slave trade. Between the late 1600s and early 1800s, this historically significant island operated as a British slave-trading fort, where thousands of enslaved Africans were held before their forced transportation to America and the Caribbean. Today, it stands as a crucial site for remembrance, education, and cultural healing.
In honor of African Liberation Day, the Momoh Centre for African Life and Culture, in collaboration with various local and international partners, organized a day-long educational tour to Bunce Island and Tasso Island on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The event brought together university students from multiple institutions, providing them with an opportunity to connect with the legacy of slavery and colonialism.
Francis Maada Momoh, founder of the Momoh Centre, emphasized the significance of the visit. “What happened on this island continues to haunt us, much like the enduring effects of colonialism. The enslavement of our ancestors has been subtly ingrained in our colonial education system. Bunce Island symbolizes the torture and dehumanization that Africans endured before their forced migration to America and the Caribbean,” he stated.
He further explained that the purpose of bringing students to the site was to deepen their understanding of the complexities surrounding the transatlantic slave trade and the interactions between indigenous Africans and European traders during the contact period.
For many participants, the visit transcended academic learning. One student reflected, “This was a powerful eye-opener. The lessons from the island brought history out of the textbook and into stark reality. Being here makes the past feel incredibly real.”
The event received support from several organizations, including:
- Kadiatu Lahai Foundation
- Hello Sierra Leone
- Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University
- Klymax Foundation North America
- Legacy Planning and Preservation
- Monuments and Relics Commission
- Eco-Tourism Hub
Together, these partners contributed to a meaningful observance of African Liberation Day, reminding participants of the importance of remembering, reflecting, and reclaiming the past as a pathway to cultural healing and empowerment.
For more information, contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
