Senegal, the African Slave Trade, and the Door of No Return: Giving Witness to Gorée Island

Gorée Island, located off Senegal's coast, serves as a poignant symbol of the African slave trade and its enduring impact on Senegalese society. This study reveals that collective trauma from slavery was historically repressed, with Senegalese people avoiding open discourse about this painful history due to shame and lingering wounds. The research argues for the importance of visual rhetoric in addressing and affirming this history, suggesting that confronting these narratives visually can facilitate healing and societal reflection. By analyzing Gorée Island's role as a site of captivity and departure for millions, the study highlights its significance as both a historical marker and a catalyst for national dialogue. The findings emphasize the need for African-led storytelling—particularly in film—to preserve and interpret this history authentically.

Fofana, D. M. (2020). Senegal, the African Slave Trade, and the Door of No Return: Giving Witness to Gorée Island. Humanities, 9(3), 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/h9030057