Publisher's Synopsis
Badagry is located along the coast of West Africa serving as a border town in Nigeria overlooking the coast of Republic of Benin.Badagry was founded around 1425 A.D. by a farmer called 'Agbedeh' and his family. Slave trade began in the ancient town in 1473 by a Portuguese slave merchant; Ferman Gomes. Ferman Gomes sold inhabitants of the coast of Badagry as slaves to Europe before continuing his exploration to Fernando Po Island.By 1502 and 1510 when the New World (Americas) had been discovered and opened for slavery activities, the Spanish Royal Authority issued an order to transport slaves from West Africa to Americas. The first set of slaves arrived New World at that period. Thereafter, Badagry supplied slaves to Hispanola (now Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamestown, Charlotte, Wilmington, Auston Havana, Barbadoes, Trinidand, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Peuto-rico, Porte-au-prince, Dutch West Indices, Virginia, Caracas and a host of other cities in the New world.The trade became interesting and rose to its height in 1760s and 1770s when Europeans slave dealers installed themselves in different wards by their nationalities in Badagry. Thus, the major suppliers of slaves were the King of Oyo (Alafin of Oyo) and the local chiefs.The obnoxious trade did not come to an end until 1888 in Badagry.Meanwhile, the western civilization began in the historic town with the arrival of liberated slaves from Sierra - leone in 1839. This group of people engaged in legitimate trade and preaching against slave trade. The arrival of the Christian missionaries and British Administration brought dramatic change to the life of the people of Badagry. Thus, the gospel of Christ was preached in 1842, the first elementary school was established in 1843, the First Storey Building in Nigeria was built in 1845 while District officers' office was constructed in 1863. Besides, the tangible heritage of slave trade are the slave market space, the slave route and Williams Faremi Abass Baracoon. Other tangible heritages were destroyed on the order of Her Majesty, Queen of England in 1852. The big advantage offered by this monograph is that the reading is presented in English and French Languages. This provides opportunity for visitors to the town, the residents, researchers and most especially African in the diaspora to know more about the ancient city.
