Island of Gorée

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Island of Gorée from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• The Gendered Consequences of Abolition and Citizenship on Nineteenth-Century Gorée Island

  French abolition of slavery and granting citizenship to adult men in its overseas territories, including Gorée Island (Senegal), in 1848 had paradoxical effects on women. While formally integrated into the Second French Republic, Goréen women faced socioeconomic and political decline due to patriarchal republican laws that excluded them from civic politics and economic prosperity. The study reveals how gender became a more salient factor mediating access to liberty and public participation, creating female colonial subjects despite the republic's ideals of universal equality.

  Zimmerman, S. J. (2023). The Gendered Consequences of Abolition and Citizenship on Nineteenth-Century Gorée Island. Journal of Women’s History, 35(3), 19–38. https://doi.org/10.1353/jowh.2023.a905188

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• Sustainable emotions: the front and backstages of slavery in Gorée Island

  Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and destination for roots tourism, serves as a powerful locus where emotions related to slavery are evoked and displayed. The study argues that through touristic performances, political testimonies, and artistic expressions, a shared emotional experience is fostered, reinforcing the idea of an international community grounded in universal human rights. This global heritage regime, promoted by UNESCO and similar platforms, transcends national borders, spreading cosmopolitan liberal ethics and forms of memory that challenge nationalist frameworks. The research reveals that the concept of an international community is constructed using similar devices as nations, but paradoxically operates on an inter-national scale, creating a 'metanation.' The study employs qualitative analysis of UNESCO statements, political testimonies, artistic performances, and tourist comments to explore these dynamics.

  Silva, M. C. d. (2021). Sustainable emotions: the front and backstages of slavery in Gorée Island. Etnografica, vol. 25 (2), 437–464. https://doi.org/10.4000/etnografica.10388

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• 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

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• Portrait of an Island: The Architecture and Material Culture of Gorée, Sénégal, 1758–1837

  A nuanced portrait of Gorée Island, Senegal (1758–1837), reveals its role as a diverse, multicultural trading hub that predates modern globalism. Through architectural analysis, archival documents, and anecdotal evidence, the study challenges grand historical narratives by centering on ordinary lives—including those of signares, Europeans, free blacks, and slaves—exposing complex social dynamics and identities. It also debunks misconceptions about Gorée's role in the transatlantic slave trade while highlighting its architectural evolution post-disasters (e.g., fire, yellow fever). The research employs cartography, material culture studies, and postcolonial theory to critique dominant historical perspectives, offering a humanized alternative that questions official narratives.

  Larsen, L. E. (2018). Portrait of an Island: The Architecture and Material Culture of Gorée, Sénégal, 1758–1837. African Arts, 51(1), 95–96. https://doi.org/10.1162/afar_r_00397

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• Presenting Archaeology and Heritage at a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gorée Island, Senegal

  Gorée Island, Senegal's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, serves as a contentious yet significant forum for global tourism, particularly for the African diaspora. The site, renowned for its architecture and monuments linked to the Atlantic slave trade, faces ongoing debates about preservation and policy compliance. A study by Thiaw and Wait (2018) reveals ambiguous attitudes among stakeholders toward heritage presentation, suggesting these may stem from subjective biases or hypocrisy rather than effective communication strategies by professionals. The research analyzes stakeholder perspectives on archaeology and heritage to understand their consumption and potential destruction of the site. This highlights the need for coordinated efforts in heritage management to address conflicting narratives and ensure responsible preservation.

  Thiaw, I., & Wait, G. (2018). Presenting Archaeology and Heritage at a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gorée Island, Senegal. Advances in Archaeological Practice, 6(3), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1017/aap.2018.19

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• African islands and the formation of the Dutch Atlantic economy: Arguin, Gorée, Cape Verde and São Tomé, 1590–1670

  Atlantic islands played a pivotal role in the expansion of European overseas empires, yet their significance within the Dutch maritime empire remains understudied. This study highlights the strategic importance of African islands—Arguin, Gorée, Cape Verde, and São Tomé—as linchpins in the 17th-century Dutch Atlantic economy. By analyzing notarial archives from Amsterdam, Dutch West India Company (WIC) records, and voyage journals, researchers demonstrate how these islands facilitated commercial circuits, strengthened colonial ambitions, and supported military strategies of the Dutch Republic and WIC. The findings underscore the geo-strategic value of these islands in shaping transcontinental trade networks and European maritime dominance during this period.

  da Silva, F. R. (2014). African islands and the formation of the Dutch Atlantic economy: Arguin, Gorée, Cape Verde and São Tomé, 1590–1670. International Journal of Maritime History, 26(3), 549–567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0843871414543447

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• Introduction

  Zephaniah Kingsley Jr. (1765–1843), a transatlantic figure with ties to the Island of Gorée, stands out for his complex legacy as a slave trader, plantation owner, and advocate for manumission. His life bridges England, South Carolina, and Canada, culminating in a controversial yet transformative role in Haiti. A key discovery is the documentation of his unorthodox marital arrangements, including his relationship with Anta Majigeen Ndiaye, a Wolof woman from Senegal who was enslaved at age 13 after her village was raided. Purchased by Kingsley in Havana in 1806 and emancipated in Florida in 1811, Anta became a planter and slave owner herself, challenging traditional narratives of the era. The study reconstructs this transatlantic journey, from Gorée to Cuba and Florida, using historical records to illuminate the intersections of slavery, power, and agency in Kingsley's life.

  Schafer, D. L. (2013). Introduction. Zephaniah Kingsley Jr. And the Atlantic World, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.5744/florida/9780813044620.003.0001

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• Naval power and the Province of Senegambia, 1758–1779

  British efforts to establish and maintain the Province of Senegambia (1765–1779) as West Africa's first formal colony were undermined by a flawed coastal patrol scheme, compounded by dysfunctional local governance and insufficient resources. Despite its profitability in gum arabic and slave trading, the province faced persistent Franco-British rivalry, particularly due to France's stronghold on the nearby island of Gorée. Naval power was central to British operations, yet systemic failures—including neglect from London—hindered its effectiveness.

  Newton, J. D. (2013). Naval power and the Province of Senegambia, 1758–1779. Journal for Maritime Research, 15(2), 129–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/21533369.2013.851840

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• The Paradox of Regret: Remembering and Forgetting the History of Slavery in George W. Bush's Gorée Island Address

  State actors' ceremonial statements of regret, while seemingly lacking tangible outcomes compared to traditional reconciliation efforts, significantly influence public perceptions of historical justice and democratic virtue. President George W. Bush's 2007 address on Gorée Island serves as a case study revealing the paradoxical nature of such rhetoric—balancing moral remembrance with political pragmatism. The analysis demonstrates how ceremonial lamentations are strategically employed to bolster geopolitical legitimacy, despite their inherent limitations in addressing past wrongs effectively.

  Vivian. (2012). The Paradox of Regret: Remembering and Forgetting the History of Slavery in George W. Bush’s Gorée Island Address History and Memory, 24(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.2979/histmemo.24.1.5

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• Slaves without Shackles: An Archaeology of Everyday Life on Gorée Island, Senegal

  Archaeological evidence from Gorée Island, Senegal, reveals the complex social dynamics of a transnational community shaped by slavery and cultural interactions. While slavery is often a central theme in historical narratives about the island, its material traces remain subtle. The study identifies patterns in settlement growth, material culture, and cultural exchanges that illuminate everyday life among free Africans, enslaved people, and Europeans during the 18th century. By analyzing documentary and archaeological records, researchers uncover how diverse identities negotiated coexistence, contributing to a nuanced understanding of Gorée's historical significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  Thiaw, I. (2011). Slaves without Shackles: An Archaeology of Everyday Life on Gorée Island, Senegal. Slavery in Africa. https://doi.org/10.5871/bacad/9780197264782.003.0008

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