Peter Kwame Womber

ELMINA CASTEL: FROM THE PORTUGUESE TO THE

Peter Kwame Womber

Email: womberpeter@yahoo.com

womberpeter@hotmail.com

womberpeter@gmail.com

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Peter Kwame Womber

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research paper is to examine the construction of the Elmina Castle, how it

kept on changing hands from one European power to the other, and the activities that had

happened in the use of the Castle by the European powers. However, an attempt is made to trace

the very beginning and the establishment of the Elmina town before the coming of the

Europeans. The Portuguese are believed to be the first group of people to set foot on the Western

Coast of Africa; hereafter they established the Elmina Castle for economic purposes. Later down

the line, other European Powers competed with the Portuguese by hitting the Portuguese

monopoly over Elmina, Cape Coast. The initial purpose for the establishment of the Castle will

change from keeping of material goods to dungeons. One may ask whether or not the Elmina

Castle had some impact on the people of Elmina, Cape Coast (Ghana). Of course it did but the

problem has to do with the degree at which the Europeans benefited at the expense of the

Elminians.

In this essay I have examined the presence of the Europeans in Elmina (on the Guinea

Coast), the genesis or the establishment of the Elmina Castle, and how the British eventually

came to occupy the Elmina Castle.

From the historical background of Elmina (Edina, or Anomansa), the political

organization, economic and culture the paper has been limited and focused on the coming of the

Europeans (Portuguese early exploratory activities and some other reasons), and the building of

the Elmina castle. This paper has also discussed into detail, the transfer of the castle from one

European power to the other till the British era. The has considered the rivalry that existed

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between the Europeans (specifically, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English), the European-

Local relation, the activities of which the Elmina Castle was used for, and the general impacts of

the Castle on the lives of the people of Elmina and the Guinea Coast in general. This paper has

also captured two eminent Asante royals whom the British captured when the Elmina Castle was

used as a prison camp.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to express my profound gratitude to all who in diverse ways assisted in the preparation of

this paper, most especially Prof. Joseph E. Holloway - my supervisor, teacher, adviser and

mentor, whose useful suggestions, motivations, and guidance, guided me through the writing of

this work. I also express my gratitude to theScholars and Sources I gathered the information

necessary for the research work.

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THE FOUNDING OF ELMINA

THE POSITION OF ELMINA ON THE

THE TOWNSHIP OF ELMINA AND ITS POSITION ON THE COAST OF GHANA

Elmina,Edina, Anomansa or Amankwaa Kurom are all names of one ancient town in

todays modern Ghana. The Elmina or Edina town dates back 1300s. History has it that three

cousins, Takyi, Sama and Kwaa Amankwaa, allegedly migrated from WALATA Empire in

ancient Mali with their people, settled briefly at Obutokur (now Takyiman in the Brong Ahafo

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Region) and finally wondered down to Eguafo, a village about 20 km from Elmina. We are told

that among these three cousins, Kwaa Amankwaa was the most legendary hunter. One day of his

hunting expedition got lost. To the works of the gods, one can say that Kwaa Amankwaas lost

was symbolical. His fate was to be determined by his Creator. As history has it, his desired to

find his way home was temporarily halted for a search of water to quench his thirst. He

accidentally found water at a spot. We are told that the more he drank the water, the more came

in, so he called the area Anomansa (inexhaustible water), which became the name of the town

before the European presence on the Guinea Coast (Ashun 2004: 1).

History has it that, later, Amankwaa followed the water downstream and discovered a

lagoon. Over excited, he exclaimed, Be enya! (I have got it) which ever since has been the

name of the lagoon. Amankwaa later found his way back to Eguafo. He returned to Anomansa

with his people to settle there. It is said that the original township was just a strip of land about a

mile directly opposite the site of the Elmina Castle, which was then a huge rock the townspeople

perceived to be sacred abode of some gods of the land Coast (Ashun 2004: 2).

Since Amankwaa was the founder of the area and because it was the practice, whenever

from the nearby village visited or went to trade there, they said they were going to Amankwaa

Kurom (Amankwaas village). To them, the town was known as such. As the towns

population increased, Kwaa Amankwaa was installed the chief to see to the welfare of the

people. This shows that, politically, the people of Anomansa were organized. They now have a

leader to take up executive, judicial, legislative, and religious functions. King Kwaa Amankwaa

had military unit known as the Asafo. The security of the people and the state were in the hands

of the king, who discharged this obligation through the various Asafo companies (in ten divisions

with specific roles). The Asafo could be described to be the embodiment of all the security

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agencies we know of today. During wars, the Asafo played a particular role just like the army, air

force and navy when attempting to defeat an enemy or invader. The Elminians in religious basis

celebrates festivals. They have the Edina Bakatue (celebrating the opening of the Benya lagoon

on first Tuesday of July) and Edina Bronya (Edina Christmas, celebrated from the first Thursday

to the Saturday of January in the New Year) we can now testify to these facts in hand that, the

local people were or are well organized before the coming of the Europeans. (Ashun 2004: 2, 8

and 10).

Economically, the people of this town were

predominantly farmers, but today, fishing and

salt-making are its economic mainstays. It is

widely acknowledge that 75% of the people

living in Elmina are into fishing and fishing-

related business. Having a very safe landing bay

that was described by the Arabs during 1400s as

natural harbour (Al mina), fishermen from all

over present Ghana do their fishing business here,

Anomansa (Ashun 2004: 2).

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THE EARLY EXPLORATORY ACTIVITIES OF THE PORTUGUESE, FACTORS THAT

MOTIVATED THEM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ELMINA CASTLE

THE EARLY EXPLORATORY ACTIVITIES OF THE PORTUGUESE

Elmina Castle was renowned as the first major European building constructed in the

tropical Africa. During the period 1550-1637, the Portuguese rebuilt the Castles northern and

western corners, the great courtyard and the north bastion. DeCorse share the view that, Elmina

is one of the best-illustrated and described African settlements in sub-Saharan Africa (DeCorse

2001: I).

First we shall consider the early exploratory activities which landed the Europeans on the

African continent. In the early part of the fifteenth century, the Portuguese, guided by the

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enlightened curiosity and zeal for discovery of Prince Henry, the son of King John I., entered

upon a career of maritime adventure, which was rendered the name of their nation famous in

history. The exploration of the African Coast was the object of his grand ambition. Cruickshank

(1966), tells us that as early as 1412 Prince Henry sent out a vessel for the exploration of the

African Coast; and though this first expedition was not attended any distinguished success, it

increased the Princes ardour for discovery. We get to understand that by 1418 the Portuguese

had traced the line of African coast beyond Cape Non, until within sight Cape Bojador, which

first appeared an insurmountable barrier. We learnt that in that year two men of Prince Henrys

household, John Gonzles Zarco and Tristram Vaz Texeria, set out with the intention of rounding

this Cape, but were driven to sea in a gale, they reached an island, which they named Porto

Santo, and soon afterwards discovered Madeira, upon which there reason to believed that an

Englishman of the name Macham had been accidentally cast in 1334 (Cruickshank 1966: 13-14).

Cruickshank continues by saying that the Canary Islands had previously been discovered

by some Spaniards of Seville during the reign of Henry III. of Castile, at the close of fourteenth

century. The king conferred the sovereignty of the island upon a Norman baron, John de

Bretancourt, whose successors afterwards sold it to Prince Henry. In 1433, we get to know that

Galianez rounded Cape Bojador, which had been previously doubled by some Norman

adventurers, who are said to have traced the African coast as far as south as Sierra Leon. Prince

Henry anxious to secure the crown of Portugal the advantages, which he foresaw must arise from

these new discoveries, obtained from the Pope Martin V. a grant assigning to Portugal all lands

or islands which had been or might be discovered between Bojador and the East Indies. The

spirit of the age led the sovereigns of Europe to respect this grant for a time, and secured to

Portugal the exclusive right of trading the coast (Cruickshank 1966:14-15).

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In 1441 Antonio Gonzales and Nuno Tritan examined the coast as far as Sierra Leon,

beyond which it does not appear that the Portuguese had penetrated at the death of the Prince in

1463. According to Cruickshank, during the reign of Alphonzo in 1469, Fernando Gomez the

trade of the coast of Guinea for a rent of five hundred ducasts, obliging himself to extend the

discovery of the coast five hundred leagues during the period of his exclusive privilege.

Cruikshank remarks that it is probably owing to this monopoly that we have no detailed accounts

of progressive discovery from the time of Prince Henrys death until the accession of John II. To

the throne in 1481, during which period the whole coast of Guinea, with the Bights of Benin and

Biafra, had been visited by the Portuguese (Cruickshank 1966: 15-16).

At this stage we shall consider the presence of the Portuguese in Elmina, on the coast of

Guinea. Elmina Castle, as the fortress eventually came to be known, played a crucial role in

Portuguese attempts to monopolise the trade in the coastal Ghana (DeCorse 2001: 7). We also

learn from Cruickshank that King John, alive to the advantages of the African trade, determined

still further to secure and protect it, by forming establishments on the coast; and with this view

he sent out an expedition under the commander of Don Diego dAzambuja, at the

commencement of his reign. It consisted of a squadron of ten caravels and two transports, with

five hundred soldiers and two hundred labourers. They landed at Elmina, the mines, upon the

Gold Coast, which had been selected for this purpose, and they were prepared to carry out their

intentions of building a fortification by force, if the African King should seek to oppose them.

We are told that the debarkation was effected with a great deal of ceremonious pomp. The

Portuguese marched to the local village, unfurled the royal banner of Portugal upon a high tree,

placed an alter under its shade, celebrated mass and offered up prayers for the speedy conversion

of the Africans and the prosperity of the church about to be erected (Cruickshank 1966: 16-17).

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From this point we notice that the natives, accustomed to see the Portuguese arrive upon

their coast in the simple guise of traders, were not prepared for this display of power, which they

perceived with great distrust. The King, Camaianca (others render the name as Caramansa or

Kwamena Ansa) objected to the establishment of a permanent settlement, and does not seem to

have yielded anything like a cordial assent when they commenced building their fortification.

Overawed, however, by the superiority of the Europeans, Camaianca did not resort to any

forcible opposition, until the Portuguese labourers began to quarry a rock, which the Africans

considered sacred. Then they had a recourse to arms. Several of the workmen were wounded,

and Azambuja, who appears to have acted with great discretion, had much difficulty in appeasing

them, which he preferred to do by means of presents and excuses rather than to resort to force,

rightly judging that their future intercourse would be rendered more agreeable by such

forbearance (Cruickshank 1966: 17-18).

We become aware that it is very evident, however, that this, the first European settlement

on the Coast of Guinea, was established in opposition to the wishes of the local Africans. The

fort, which was built with great expedition, received the name of St. George; and Azambuja,

after a government of two years and a half, returned to Portugal. At this juncture we have been

able to trace the genesis of the Elmina Castle. Other settlements were formed at different points

of the coast and forts built. But it was not until Columbus had given a new world to Spain that

the great importance of these African settlements were fully acknowledged (Cruickshank 1966:

18).

Kwesi J. Anquandah, in the Castles And Forts Of Ghana, also says that, the Portuguese

were the first to have founded the Castle Sao Jorge da Mina in 1842. Anquandah tells us the

purpose for which this castle Sao Jorge da Mina was established. He states that Sao Jorge da

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Mina was established by the Portuguese to protect the gold-rich lands discovered in 1471. The

castle was completed according to its original plan in 1486 and the town was raised to the status

of a city (Anquandah 1999: 52).

Anquandah, J, Castles and Forts of Ghana, Ghana Museums & Monuments Board/Atalante, undated: 2000? ( with fine
photographs by Thierry Secretan) 59 (of Elmina Castle, quoting Jean Barbot, 1682): This castle has justly become famous
for beauty and strength, having no equal on all the coasts of Guinea. Built square with very high walls of dark brown stone so
very firm that it may be said to be cannon-proof

St. Georges Castle (Elmina Castle), Elmina (1482)

Amnumey shares the same views of other scholars that the Portuguese were the first to

land on the Guinea Coast. He supports the view that the Portuguese were interested in finding a

sea route to Asia by going round Africa in order to trade directly with Asia and not pass through

any states controlled by Muslims. According to Amenumey, the Portuguese knew about the gold

of West Africa from the peoples of North Africa, which for centuries had been carried across the

Sahara to North Africa and Europe. We are told that the Portuguese, therefore, wanted to divert

this trade into their own hands, and hoped at the same time to bring Christianity to the people of

West Africa. The enterprise was inspired and organized by a member of the Portuguese royal

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family known as Prince Henry the Navigator. Prince Henry died, but the voyage was continued

by the Portuguese sailors and finally they landed on the Gold Coast.

We are told by Amenumey that the Portuguese sailors arrived off the coast of Elmina in

1471 as has been established by other historians. They took gold in large quantities from the area

of Shama near the mouth of River Pra. To protect their monopoly, King John II sent one Don

Diego dAzanbuja, together with soldiers, masons, carpenters to build a fort on the Gold Coast.

Amenumey says that the Portuguese selected a site at the mouth of River Benya. Thus, they got

the chief of Eguafo, Kwamena Ansah, to permit them to build a fort there. The fort they built

was Sao Jorge de Mina (St. George of the Mine), which later became the Elmina Castle till date

(Amenumey 1998: 99-100).

The castle site was carefully selected by Portuguese navigators, because it was

strategically located at the end of a narrow promontory bounded on two sides by the Atlantic

Ocean and the Benya River or Lagoon. Here, in the lee of a low head-land, a natural harbour

provided sheltered anchorage. We are told that during the 15th and 16th centuries, the Portuguese

enjoyed trade boom in spite of numerous attempt by Castilians and later the French (these two

groups seems to have been the first to challenge the Portuguese) and the English to break the

Portuguese trade monopoly in about 1612 (Anquandah 1999: 52).

Ashun also has the view that, in 1471, the Portuguese, led by their Captain Joao Satarem

and Pedro Dscober came to Elmina. Ashuns also says that the information that led to the

exploration was gathered from the Moorish prisoners after they conquered Ceuta in1415. The

Portuguese started their exploration for two main reasons as we are told by Ashun. The first was

economic, they wanted to get to the gold-producing lands of sub-Saharan Africa, and also to find

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a new sea route to India and the Far East, where Europeans have been obtaining spices and

other foreign goods. The Europeans basically wanted to find a sea route to eliminate the need for

northern Sudanese caravans and the Muslim middlemen. The second reason was to spread

Christianity to counteract Islam and more importantly, to get in touch with the kingdom of

Prester John, which was a Christian kingdom in sub-Saharan Africa (Ashun 2004: 23).

When the Portuguese first arrived on the coast, the system of trade was barter

exchanging goods for goods. Some of the items, says Ashun, were guns, gunpowder, spirituous

liquour, enamel bowls, tobacco, and iron bars, which were exchanged for gold, ivory, spices and

artifacts. The major commodity the Portuguese were so interested in and solely needed was gold.

The rate at which the locals exchanged it for the Portuguese goods gave the impression that the

village was in abundance of gold. They thus called the town El Mina (the mine). From 1471

when the Portuguese first arrived, there was not a single year they did not show up. Much as

trade was flourishing, the need came for them to establish their monopoly on the Guinea Coast.

Ashun says the Portuguese got the Papal consent establish their monopoly on the coast, but they

needed a place to lodge and store their wares. They also wished to establish their trade

monopoly, protect their traders and their trade and propagate Christianity (Ashun 2004: 24).

Daaku (1970), has the thought that the Elmina castle was built by the support of one Dom

Joao. He explains by saying that, after the discovery of the Mina, however, it once more attracted

the attention of the Portuguese Crown. This is seen from the fact that the contract of Fernao

Gomes, to whom the enterprise had been farmed out, was not renewed in 1474; but instead the

Guinea trade became a royal monopoly, under the charge of Dom Joao. Eight years later Dom

Joao, now king, caused a castle to be built at Mina, which was to protect the gold trade from

interlopers and hostile Africans and to ensure that the Crown was not cheated out of it. To give a

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legal stamp to the Crowns monopoly, the title Lord of Guinea was added to the Portuguese

royal titles and Mina was raised to city status (Daaku 1970: 8).

Dantzig, in the Forts and Castles of Ghana, gives three main motives of the exploratory

activities of the Portuguese. First was to establish contact with the legendary Prester John,

leader of fable Christian Empire beyond the Mountains of Moon, and to attack together with

him the Muslims in their rear. The second motive was to transform Lesbon, then still a mere re-

distribution market for Asian goods from Venice (which in its turn received the goods via the

land-route and many middlemen from India and the Far East) into the terminus of sea-route

round Africa to India. The last motive was to gain direct access to the sources of Africas gold

(Dantzig 1980: 1-3).

PORTUGUESE TRADING ACTIVITIES

At this stage we shall examine the trading activities between the Portuguese and the

people of Mina. The Portuguese imported vast quantity of old and new cloths, blankets and linen

from Morocco, North European copper and brassware, millions of manillas (metal bracelets)

and iron kettles and bars in exchange for gold dust and ornaments supplied by the people of

Elmina (Mina). So extensive and popular was the cloth trade that a factor maintains a large shop

for old linen c.1500-1507. Anquandah says that the commander of the castle wrote to King

Manuel in 1503 that: Sir, I Diego dAlvarenga, kiss the royal hands of your highness and I

report that I have received the old linen. (Anquandah 1999: 55).

Daaku also says that, one of the most important items of trade between the Gold Coast

and its neighbours was cotton cloth. The long-established trade in cotton between the Gold Coast

and its neighbours had created a ready demand which the Portuguese attempted to satisfy. They

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did not only bring the well-known cloth from North Africa but acted as carriers in the local West

African trade. They also obtained cloths, leopard skins, and beads from Benin carried to their

headquarters (Elmina) in Gold Coast (Daaku 1970: 6).

The import trade raised the issue of porterage as the natives needed assistance in

conveyance of large quantities of European goods into the hinterland and coast lands. To meet

this need, the Portuguese initiated, in the early 16th century, the importation of slaves from Benin

to Elmina in exchange for gold, ivory and the likes. As it turned out , however, the price of

slumped in Europe in the 16th century due to massive importation of superior gold from Mexico.

At the same time, the Portuguese Crown vast sums of resources for on defensive works, artillery,

galleys, warships and convoys related to Mina. Thus weakened, the Portuguese succumbed to the

Dutch attacks and were dislodged from Elmina in 1637. Until that date, Elmina Castle had

served as the headquarters of the Portuguese West Possessions (Anquandah 1999: 55-59).

Ashun also states that the Portuguese were enjoying their trade monopoly for some time

before major competition came from the Dutch. Though, other Europeans had been coming to

the area for gold, they were treated as interlopers, and the Portuguese fought them. In order to

stop the locals (by the Portuguese) to trade with the interlopers, an agreement was signed with

some local chiefs in 1529. The agreement stated that whenever an African is caught trading with

other Europeans apart from the Portuguese, he would be whipped and have an ear chopped off

the first time, and would persecuted the second time (Ashun 2004: 25).

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THE PORTUGUESE MONOPOLY FACED A CHALLENGE

The French

We have been able to examine the presence of the Portuguese and their activities on the

Guinea Coast (Elmina). We are next to talk about the first European power to challenge the

Portuguese. The French were the first European power, who challenged Portugals claim to

Guinea. In 1542, a French ship that visited Cape Three Points carried back to France 1,000

ounces of gold. And although French activities were mainly confined to upper Guinea, the

Portuguese were forced to establish a system of patrolling on the Mina coast to check intrusions

into their preserve. But, however, much French wished to challenge Portuguese claims, their

internal political troubles in the sixteenth century tied their hands. France in 16th century became

an absolute monarchy and became firmly established in the 17th century. Absolute monarchy is a

variation of the governmental form of monarchy in which all governmental power and

responsibility emanates from and is centered in the monarch. It is said that in France, Louis XIV

was the most famous exemplar of absolute monarchy. Louis XIV attempted in several ways to

eliminate the remnants of medieval feudalism (a type of government organised according to

social system of ranking), which he succeeded, and established a centralised state under an

absolute monarch. This attempt of Louis XIV brought about a series of civil wars. There was the

problem of territorial boundaries which contributed to the civil wars between the 16th and the 17th

centuries. As a result of the civil wars, the French could not get support from home. Their

(French) activities on the Mina coast, therefore, eventually died out, only to be followed by those

of the English. There is one thing we should note about Daaku. He says in his Trade and Politics

on the Gold Coast From 1600-1720, 1970, page 9, that, the French were followed by the English

in about 1554. In other words, opposes the idea that the French were followed by the

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Dutch as some scholars like Cruickshank, Acquandah, Amenumey, and the likes put it. Daaku

states in his book, Trade And Politics On The Gold Coast From 1600-1720, 1970, page 10 that

the Dutch arrived later on the Gold Coast scene than either the French or the English, but they

were better organized and equipped for the trade than any of their predecessors. Whatever the

case might be, there was the challenge of Portuguese monopoly by other Europeans(Daaku

1970: 9-10).

The Dutch

Next, we shall examine the presence of the Dutch on the Guinea Coast. While the Native

American race was fast disappearing under the cruel yoke of their Spanish taskmasters, the

superior physical qualities of the African race marked them out as admirably suited to replace the

extraordinary depopulation which was going on. Under these circumstances Portugal was not

allowed to enjoy African possessions unmolested. The Popes grant ( Romanus Pontifex, a papal

bull, written in 1455 by Pope Nicholas V to Afonso V of Portugal, and it confirmed to the Crown

of Portugal dominion over all lands south of Cape Bojador in Africa) was no safeguard against

cupidity. In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed. Under this treaty, the world was divided

into two parts (the division/imaginary line was drawn from north to south of the globe); the

western part for Spain, and the Eastern part for Portugal. Cruinckshank reports that the Dutch, at

that time of famous for their maritime power, were tempted to make encroachments upon the

Portuguese rights, and commenced that career of hostility against them, which ended in driving

them out successively from most of their settlements. The Dutch establish themselves at Mouree,

only twelve miles from the chief settlement of the Portuguese at Elmina, from which they

succeeded in expelling them (Portuguese) in 1637, and with the fall of Elmina the power of the

Portuguese on the Gold Coast became extinct, the minor forts yielding, as a matter of course

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(Cruickshank, Vol. 1, 1966: 18-19). De Marees also shares the view that in 1637, a fleet was sent

by Count Maurice of Nassau-Siegen from the new Dutch colony in northern Brazil mounted

guns on St. Iago hill and forced the Portuguese in the Elmina Castle into submission (De Marees

1987: xv).

Ashun also tell us the actual situation that happened between the Portuguese and the

Dutch. In 1596, the Dutch attacked the Portuguese for the first time, but were defeated. The

Dutch then went to establish a lodging fort called Nassau in Moree (20 km from Elmina) in

about 1612. In 1625, the Dutch tried to take over Elmina the second time, but were defeated once

again. They were defeated the second time because the attack came from the sea, where the

Portuguese were very strong.

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FORT NASSAU,
MOURE, GHANA

In 1637, the Dutch made a well-coordinated attack on the Portuguese in Elmina. The

attack was led by Hans Coine with only twelve ships. This final attack, we are told, came from

two fronts sea and land. Strategically, the Dutch started the offensive from the seaward point,

directing all of the Portugueses strength there. Just as the Portuguese were putting up a good

defence, the Dutch started bombarding from land. The local people assisted the Dutch by

bringing weapons atop a hill called San Jago, which overlooked the castle. This, we are told,

really became a shock to the Portuguese, who at that moment could not organize themselves well

enough to take battle both on land and sea. On the third day third day of battle, the Portuguese

surrendered to the Dutch. Thus, on the 29th August 1637, the Dutch took control of the

dungeons/castle (Ashun 2004: 26-27).

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Fort St. Jago, Elmina (1660s)

Portuguese. First, the Portuguese tampered with the scale the scale they were using to measure,

therefore exploiting the local people. Second, the locals were disenchanted with the advent of the

transAtlantic Slave Trade. Third, the introduction of the barbaric regemento agreement that

reduced them to subject of the Portuguese on their own land (Ashun 2004: 27).

In about 1637 to 1872, the Elmina Castle became the headquarters of the Dutch

possessions in the Gold Coast. Anquandah says that it was during the Dutch era that Elmina

reached the high-water mark of its evolution. The native city which sprang up directly to the

west of the castle expanded and the population is estimated to have risen from 4,000 in the early

17th century to 10,000 in the late 17th century and 15,000 in the 18th century, partly due to the

impact of the gold and especially the slave trade. As it has been already indicated in the

introductory paragraph, the Elmina Castle was renowned as the first major European building

constructed in the tropical Africa. During the period 1550-1637, the Portuguese rebuilt the

Castles northern and western corners, the great courtyard and the north bastion. In the Dutch

period, the Portuguese Church was turned into an auction hall, a new Dutch chapel was built and

much rebuilding took place, especially in the north and the west bastions and the riverside yard.

Anquandah says that Jean Barbot who authored the book a Description of the Coasts of

North and South Guinea (1732), visited the Elmina Castle and participated in Easter worship at

the Dutch chapel. He gave an eye-witness account in 1682: This Castle has justly become
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famous for beauty and strength, having no equal on all the coast of Guinea. Built with square

with very high walls of dark brown stone so very firm that it may be said to be cannon-proof. On

the land side it has two canals always furnished with rain or fresh water sufficient for the use of

the garrison and the ships-canals cut in the rock by the Portuguese (by blowing up the rock little

by little with gunpowder. The warehouses either for goods or provisions are very largely and

stately always well furnished. In about 1774, when the completed castle reconstruction and

consolidation, the total habitable accommodation within its wall was 3,950 m2, including new

buildings in the large riverside yard (500 metres square) which according to the Dutch Company

soldier Michael Hemmersam, were specially put up for rearing of civet cats whose odorous

secretions were twice weekly extracted for the perfume industry so vital in those time of little

washing. In 1872, Elmina Castle was ceded by the Dutch to Britain (Anquandah 1999: 59-61).

Amenumey also tells that other European Nations began to challenge the Portuguese

monopoly from about 1530 onwards. He says that the French and the English came, but the

strongest challenge was provided by the Dutch. Starting from 1598 says Amenumey, the Dutch

built forts at Mouri, Butri, Kormantin and Komenda. In 1637, they captured Elmina Castle from

the Portuguese, and in 1642 they took those of St. Anthony at Axim. The Dutch forced the

Portuguese to surrender their forts on the Gold Coast and leave altogether. Amenumey says the

reason why the Dutch succeeded against the Portuguese was due to the fact that the latter had

spread their activities and interests too widely (Amenumey 1998: 100).

The English

After the expulsion of the Portuguese by the Dutch, the English did not remain idle

spectators, as Cruickshank puts it. Impelled by similar spirit of adventure, and as eagerly alive to

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the motives of self-interest as their Dutch contemporaries, they early turned their attention to the

advantage of trade with Africa. In the later part of the reign of Edward VI. the English merchants

commenced a trade with the Coast of Guinea, but without any support from government. They

were, therefore, ill able to contend against the Portuguese, who endeavoured to maintain their

exclusive right to trade, upon the strength of the Popes grant. Nor had these early adventurers

less to contend against after the Dutch had altogether expelled the Portuguese from the Coast in

1637. But, the spirit of adventure which the discovery of new regions had roused, inspired them

with energy and perseverance not easily daunted, and the prospect of gain made them insensible

to risks attending the prosecution of their trade. The English, however, received some

encouragement from James I., whose favour invested their enterprise with a higher degree of

consideration (Cruickshank 1966: 19-20).

It is true that the English took over the Elmina Castle in about 1872 as various historians

(Daaku, Acquanda, and the likes) say. Their descriptions of how the Elmina Castle passed

through the hands of one European power to the other is quite similar and quite divergent in

terms of explanations. Ashun has his story to share with us so far as Elmina Castle is concern

and how the British took over it. He says that, the Dutch upon the take over of the Elmina castle

extended the dungeons and continued the transAtlantic slave trade. In 1872, long after the

transAtlantic slave trade had been abolished, the castle and other Dutch possessions became

unprofitable and costly to maintain. On the 6th April 1872, therefore, the Dutch traded their

possessions in northern Sumatra in Indonesia. Ashun says that the British were made to pay

3,790 Is. 61/2 d for the stores and fixtures in the Dutch forts. The transfer of the Elmina castle to

the British was truly a blow to the people of Elmina (Ashun 2004: 27-28).

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Ashun further explains why the Elminians were not happy when the Dutch transferred the

Castle to the British. Ashun starts by explaining that, in those days one needs to understand that,

the Europeans went into alliances with the communities within which they had built fort, lodge

or castle. Additionally, one group African people saw other groups as enemies. In the case of

Elmina, the Elminians never saw themselves as part of the Fantes but rather considered

themselves to be friends of the Asantes. The Elminians assisted and supported the Asantes, who

invaded the Fanteland and caused scores of trouble for the British. During certain times, the

British showed disapproval of the attitude of the Elminians and would support the Fantes to

attack the people Elmina. Therefore, the Elminians now having to accept the British as their

masters was really seen as being sold to an enemy people. Thus, the Elmina people vowed never

to allow the transfer of the castle from the Dutch to the British. To drum home their request, a

delegation was sent to Holland to plead on their behalf, but sadly, they were not received. On the

said date, Elmina castle became the property of the British. It is said that the chief and the people

of Elmina showed some resistance and also alleged involvement with the conspiracy of the

Asantes to invade the castle, the chief in question at that time, Kobena Gyan, was exiled to Sierra

Leon. The township of Elmina was bombarded by the British as well (Ashun 2004: 28).

From the works of Amenumey, the Dutch did not succeed in keeping the trade of the

Gold Coast to themselves either. They faced the completion from England (Amenumey 1998:

101). It is to be believed that the British took over the castle at the time the trans-Atlantic slave

trade had been abolished and had almost completely stopped. They thus used the castle as a sub-

administrative centre. However, this is not to suggest that the British did not take part in the

trade. Rather, they used the Cape Coast castle; about 12 km east of Elmina, for their trade while

the Dutch were at Elmina. During the Second World War, the British brought men from all

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English speaking West Africa except Liberia to the Elmina Castle. Where they were trained and

sent to India and Burma called the Royal West Africa Frontier Force and fought for the British.

Ashun also shares the same view with some historians that, in 1948, after the World War II, the

Elmina Castle was used as police training school. The British ruled Elmina with iron hands until

1957, when Ghana became independent state. (Ashun 2004: 28-29).

THE IMPACT OF THE ELMINA CASTLE

Now, we shall consider the impact, benefit or gains (both positive and negative) derived

by the people of Mina and Ghana in general so far as Elmina Castle is concern. Since 1872 when

the British took over the Elmina Castle, it has served a variety of purposes: For many years it

housed the Ghana Police Recruit Training Centre. In 1972, it was taken over by the Ghana

Museum and Monuments Board and was included by the United Nations Educational, Scientific

and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the World Heritage List. Recently, it has been used by

the Edinaman Secondary School and now has historical museum exhibition themed Images of

Elmina Across the Centuries.

The historical name of Elmina has become immortalised in New World history and

culture, manifesting itself in the Mina Nations of the Caribbean and South American black

Diaspora. The Mina Nations were ethnic clubs that invoked ancestral spirits and preserved the

language, art, culture and cults of the West African slaves shipped to the New world from

Elmina (Anquandah 1999: 61).

The presence of the Europeans in Elmina changed some aspects of culture. Amateur type

of education by the local people began to change to classroom type as the Castle Schools were

instituted by the Europeans. Foster says that, recent research indicated the Portuguese undertook

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Peter Kwame Womber

the earliest educational experiments on the Gold Coast. In a series of instructions to the captain

at Edina (Elmina) King Joao III advice his representatives to take special care to command

that the sons of the Negroes living in the village learn how to read and write, how to sing and

pray while ministering in church (Foster 2001: 43).

African traditional religion for the first time was challenged. Anquandah says that in

1503, according to historical narration by the Portuguese Diego de Alvarenga, a Portuguese

missionary converted and baptized the paramount chief of the Efutu kingdom on the Mina coast

together with 300 of his subjects. The chief permitted the Portuguese to build a church on the hill

located opposite the Castle St. Jorge. The site was dedicated to the Portuguese saint, Jago

(Anquandah 1999: 62).

African-European contact and interaction resulted in material enrichment at national,

corporate, and individual levels on both sides. In the period 1490-1560, for example nearly 1000

Kgs. of gold were exported from Mina to enrich the Portuguese crown. It is estimated that by the

early 16th century, Portuguese Gold Coast trade provided 10% of the worlds known gold

supplies. Certainly history was made in international monetary economy when the English Royal

African Companys significant gold exports in 1672 led to the minting of gold currency that bore

the designation of Guinea (Anquandah 1999: 14).

Even the beginning of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries marked a high sense of

interest of the Europeans merchants to trade in slaves. The young energetic Africans were being

sold as slaves and at as an exchange for other goods. This economic venture affected the social

order of the Africans. Undoubtedly, with few exceptions such as Hawkins, European buyers

purchased African captives on the coasts of Africa and the transaction between themselves and

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Peter Kwame Womber

Africans was a form of trade. It is also true that very often a captive was sold and resold as he

made his way from the interior to the port of embarkation and that too was a form of trade.

Many things remain uncertain about the slave trade and its consequences for Africa. Rodney

draws our attention to the claim of the experiences of the rape of Africans, probably the

superiors, ranging million in number between 1445 to 1870 (Rodney 1972: 103-104). This

economic venture created problem for the Africans. Labour was drawn off from agriculture and

conditions became unsettled. Dahomey, which in the 16th century was known for exporting food

to parts of what is now Togo, was suffering from famines in the 19th century. The present

generation of Africans will readily recall that in the colonial era when abledbodied men left

their homes as migrant labourers that upset the farming routine in the home districts and often

caused famine. Slave trading after all, meant migration of labour in a manner one hundred times

more brutal disrupt (Rodney 1972: 108).

The Elmina Castle Becomes A Prison Camp

We are not ending this paper without talking about the Europeans, especially, the British,

for using the Elmina castle as a prison, to camp most prominent African citizens. In this case we

shall talk about two personalities here, both of Asante born. First is Nana Akwasi Agyeman

Prempeh. He was born in 1872. On the 28th March 1888, he became the king of the Asantes at a

tender age of sixteen. In 1896, he was captured by the British and held in the Elmina Castle for

four good years. He was then taken to Freetown in Sierra Leon and finally exiled to the

Seychelles Island in the Indian Ocean. He was repatriated to Gold Coast in 1924 after some

negotiations and became an honourary Chief of Kumasi and passed on in 1931. His arrest could

be numerous, but one of his charges on which the British imprisoned him was that, he had

refused to honour 1873 war treaty of Fomena, in Ashanti Region, which among others was

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Peter Kwame Womber

compelling the Asantes to pay 50,000 oz. of gold to the British as a war indemnity fund. Finally,

for the conspiracy to dislodge the British from the Elmina Castle (Ashun 2004: 31).

The next person to talk about is Yaa Asantewaa. Yaa Asantewaa on the other hand led

the Asantes in a war against the British for the demand of the golden stool by a British governor

Frederick Hodgson in 1900. She was also captured, held in the Elmina Castle for a brief moment

and finally to the Seychelles Island. She unfortunately died on exile (Ashun 2004: 32).

At the seaboard side of the castle was the 'Door

of No Return', the portal through which slaves boarded the ships that would take them on the treacherous journey

across the Atlantic known as the Middle Passage. By the 18th century, 30,000 slaves on their way to North and

South America passed through Elmina's Door of No Return each year.

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Peter Kwame Womber

CONCLUSION

In summary, we have been able to trace the genesis of the traditional name of Elmina, the

founder and how the early people of Anomansa organized themselves in terms of socio-culture,

socio-political, and socio-economic. We have been able to trace the reasons why the Europeans

came to Africa and the early exploratory activities of the Portuguese. We have also examined the

rivalry that existed among the European traders, how the Elmina Castle was transferred from one

European power to the other till the era of the English, and the activities that went on or how

these European powers used the castle for, including the capture of two eminent Asante royals.

We have been able to examine also the relationship that existed between the Europeans and the

Elminians. And finally, we have been able to examine the benefits derived by both the

Europeans and the people of Guinea Coast in general so far as the Elmina Castle is in existence.

By the works of some scholars, we have traced the genesis of the Elmina Castle and how it

finally fell into the hands of the British. The presence of the European Nations on the Guinea

Coast has led to Africas underdevelopment at the expense of Africans. The Europeans used the

Elmina Castle and other castles and forts to achieve their purpose.

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Peter Kwame Womber

Photograph of Fort Jago and Eimina Township from the/on top of Elmina Castle .

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Peter Kwame Womber

REFERENCE

Foster, Philip. Education And Social Change In Ghana. London, Routledge and Kagan Paul Ltd.,

1965.

Rodney. Walter. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Nairobi, East African Educational

Publishers Ltd., 1972.

DeCorse, R. hristopher. An Archaeology Of Elmina. Washington and London, Smithsonian 2001.

Amenumey, D. K. A concise History Of Ghana: From Pre-Colonial Times To The Twentieth

Century. Accra, Woeli Publishing, 1998.

Acquandah, J. Kwasi. Castles And Forts Of Ghana: For Ghana Museum And Monuments Board

Books. Belgium, Atlante/Paris 42 rue Sedaine, 1999.

Cruickshank, Brodie. Eighteen Years On The Gold Coast Of Africa, Volume 1(2nd ed.). London,

Frank Cass and Co. Ltd., 1966.

Ashun, Ato. Elmina, The Castle And The Slave Trade. Cape Coast, Nyakod Printing Works

Ntsin Street, 2004.

Daaku, K. Yeboah. Trade And Politics On The Gold Coast 1600-1720. Great Britain, Oxford

University Press, 1970.

De Marees, Pieter. Description And Historical Account Of The Gold Kingdom Of Guinea (1602).

New York, Oxford University Press, 1987.

Dantzig, Van Albert. Forts and Castles of Ghana. Accra, Sedco Publishing Limited, 1980

http://www.google.com.gh/Elmina. Accessed, 07/11/2014, 15:30PM.

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Peter Kwame Womber

http://www.castles.nl.ant/nas.html. Accessed, 10/11/2014, @ 8:30 AM

http://www.guyanalive.com. Accessed, 10/11/2014, @ 8:35 AM

Note: Pictures and maps used in this research work were taken, both, from the internet and field data.

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