Walking the Slave Route in Akwa Ibom: A Daycation That Changed How I See History

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Have you ever stood in front of a relic so powerful that it silenced a crowd? That’s what happened when I joined the Slave Route Daycation Experience in Akwa Ibom, organized to mark the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition (August 23).

This wasn’t just a tour. It was an emotional journey that peeled back layers of history, connected us to the resilience of our ancestors, and reminded us why slavery in all its modern forms, must be rejected.

The Slave Memorial Park Project at the Ibom Hotels & Golf Resort Marina is more than a tourist site. It’s a place of memory, education, and healing. Built along the Esuk Efiayong river coast where captured Africans were ferried to larger Atlantic ships, the park features:

  • A preserved slave boa, often packed with over 1,000 people on a vessel built for less than 500.

  • A tribute wall honoring those who stood against slavery, including local leaders.

  • Landscaped grounds for reflection, storytelling, and cultural preservation.

The essence of the tour is clear: to honor the victims, educate the present, and build a future free of exploitation.


A Brief History of the Slave Trade in the Region

  1. From the 8th Century: Early Enslavement

Arab traders enslaved East Africans, often converting them to Islam as a path to freedom. This early system was less commercial and more domestic, unlike what would come later.

    2. The 15th Century: Plantations and the Birth of Commercial Slavery

The “discovery” of the Americas created a demand for labor on sugar plantations. Bishop Bartholomew suggested Africans as ideal workers, and soon, over 37% of enslaved Africans were taken from the Niger Delta/Bight of Biafra region.

    3. The Triangular Trade: Commerce and Racism

European traders exchanged mirrors, guns, and cloth for enslaved Africans, who were shipped across the Atlantic. In return, ships brought back sugar, cotton, and wealth to Europe. This trade entrenched racism and commodified African lives.

    4. The Long Road to Abolition

  • 18 July 1807 (Abolition Date): Abolition movements gained ground.

  • 1916: Slave trade ended in the Southern Protectorate of Nigeria.

  • 1936: It ended in the North.

  • 1940: All forms of slavery were abolished in Nigeria.


Highlights of the Experience

1. The Slave Boat at Esuk Efiayong

Standing before the massive boat — preserved in a special enclosure — was overwhelming. Our guide explained how people were crammed inside, many dying before ever reaching the ocean.

This moment was a powerful reminder that history is more than dates in a textbook — it lives in the stories, the land, and the people. At Mastertrip Travels, we believe in bringing these stories to life through immersive tours that educate, inspire, and connect.

2. Statues of Heroes Along the Route

Roadside statues of influential figures in African and Nigerian history gave faces to the fight for dignity. These visuals made the journey more than education — they made it personal.



 




3. The Amalgamation House, Ikot Abasi

We walked into the building where Lord Lugard announced the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914. His original microphone still stands, frozen in time.




4. The Bight of Biafra’s Coastline

Beautiful, yet heartbreaking. At the coast, we saw:

  • Slave warehouses where humans were weighed for “value.”

  • The chilling underwater dungeons where they were kept awaiting ships.

  • The Bridge of No Return, the last steps many ever took on African soil.

The silence there was deafening.



5. The Cultural Displays and Culinary Experience

Despite the heavy emotions, cultural performances reminded us of resilience. We ended at Monty Suites with a shared meal and networking — a symbolic return to joy, unity, and survival.

The Key Lesson: Say No to Slavery in Every Form

Walking the Slave Route wasn’t just about the past. It was about the present — and the urgent need to say NO to modern slavery, human trafficking, and every form of exploitation.

Every human being deserves equal dignity, respect, and opportunity.

Ready for Your Own Daycation Experience?

This was more than a trip, it was a transformative experience. If you’d like to walk through history and discover more about Nigeria’s cultural heritage:

Drop a comment or send a message to Mastertrip Travels (09065000600) to book your next tour.


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