Door of No Return, Memorial arch on Atlantic coast in Ouidah, Benin.
Description
The Door of No Return is a concrete and bronze memorial on a beach in Ouidah marking the departure point where enslaved people were forced onto ships. The structure stands at the water's edge and commemorates this historical site of the Atlantic trade.
History
The memorial recalls the period between the 16th and 19th centuries when over one million enslaved people passed through this location. This massive forced migration fundamentally shaped the region and the world.
Culture
The memorial displays bronze figures depicting chained individuals and murals that tell the stories of enslaved people. The artwork helps visitors connect with the human dimension of this history.
Practical
Visitors reach the memorial by walking along the Slave Route, a pathway from central Ouidah that passes several monuments along the way. The site is accessible on foot and sits on open ground directly facing the ocean.
Did you know?
The site features an Egungun cement sculpture representing ancestral spirits positioned alongside contemporary art installations. This blend connects traditional spiritual beliefs with modern practices of remembrance.
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