Gberefu Island

Gberefu Island
Native name:
Gberefu
The two poles slightly slanted towards each other
Gberefu Island is located in Nigeria
Gberefu Island
Gberefu Island
Geography
LocationClose to Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates6°25′01″N 2°52′59″E / 6.417°N 2.883°E / 6.417; 2.883
Administration
StateLagos State
Local government areaBadagry
Demographics
Ethnic groups
Additional information
Gberefu Island was opened as a slave port in 1473.

Gberefu Island also known as Point of No Return is a populated historical island located in Badagry, a town and local government area of Lagos State, South-Western Nigeria.[1] Symbolized by two poles slightly slanted towards each other and facing the Atlantic Ocean, the island was a major slave port after it was opened in 1473 during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade era.[2][3]According to Nigerian historians, as many as 3 million slaves were believed to have been shipped to the Caribbean and Americas between 1518 and 1880 from the island.[4][5]

People

Gberefu Island is headed by two chiefs, both crowned by the same Akran of Badagry Kingdom, and they are Chief Yovoyan (The Duheto of Badagry Yovoyan/Gbragada) II. and the late Chief Najeemu (The Numeto of Badagry Gberefu). The island's first settlers and real landlords are two Ewe communities (villages) under one umbrella, which are Gbragada, and Kofeganme (Yovoyan)[6].

The Ewes of this island were salt merchants and fishermen from Keta (the KETAS) around 1734, but the majority of them are fishermen and farmers by occupation in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, although there are other ethnic groups living in the area, which comprises the Egun (Ogu) and Ilajes living in one harmony with there landlords.

Etymology

Gberefu or Agbedefu-Gbe language, principally in Ewe means life is trouble/difficult.[7][8]

Tourism

The slave routes leads to Point of No Return

Since Gberefu Island is an historic site, it has attracted several tourists around the world thereby increasing its notability.[9] According to statistics released in 2015 by The Guardian, a total number of 3,634 people visited the island in 6 months.[10][11]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Abiose Adelaja (30 August 2014). "Badagry Slave Route faces environmental degradation". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Gberefu: Echoes of slaves' footsteps". The Nation. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  3. ^ Emmanuel, Duntoye Oluwaseun (31 July 2023). "Gberefu and Dokdo Island: The hidden story of two great nations". Tribune Online. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Black Americans face slave legacy in Nigeria". News24. 30 May 2001. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  5. ^ "3 historical places in Nigeria that are reminders of the evil of slavery | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  6. ^ "As excited diasporans return from the 'Point of No Return' - Daily Trust". https://dailytrust.com/. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2025. {cite web}: External link in |website= (help)
  7. ^ Jeremiah Madaki (7 July 2014). "Gberefu, the Island by 'The Point of No Return'". New Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Upgrade Our Rural Community Pleads With Governor Sanwolu". P.M. News. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  9. ^ Ada Igboanugo (11 August 2002). "Badagry Beach…And Beyond the 'Point of Return'". Thisday. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  10. ^ News Agency of Nigeria (6 July 2015). "3,634 tourists visit Point-of-No-Return Island in 6 months — Official". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  11. ^ www.premiumtimesng.com https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/157295-badagry-slave-route-faces-environmental-degradation. Retrieved 22 February 2025. {cite web}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Point of No Return, Badagry.

8 Felix Kuadugah:Etymology of Gberefu