James island (Kunta Kinteh Island, Unesco world heritage) , the Gambia
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Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly James Island, is an island in the Gambia River, 30 km from the river mouth and near Juffureh in the country of the Gambia. Fort James is located on the island. It is less than two miles from Albreda on the river's northern bank.
As an important historical site in the West African slave trade, it is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with related sites including Albreda, Juffureh and Fort Bullen. James Island is suffering heavy erosion, and is now approximately 1/6 of the size during the time when the fort was active. Ruins of several of the British administrative buildings (including a single cell, apparently used to house the most troublesome captives), a small jetty and a number of skeletal baobab trees remain. The ruins have been stabilised and protected by a capping. Because the island is low-lying, during high tide and storms sometimes waves will beat against some of the surviving structures.
Kunta Kinte, a character described in Alex Haley's book and TV series Roots, has become associated with James Island. He was one of 98 slaves that in 1767 the slave ship Lord Ligonier brought to Annapolis, Maryland.
Submitted: 22/10/2016
Accepted: 18/11/2016
Published:
- Data Call Technologies (TEXAS) 23-May-2017
- SAGA HOLIDAYS LTD (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 29-Nov-2018
- DPG Media NV (Belgium) 02-Nov-2022
James island (Kunta Kinteh Island, Unesco world heritage) , the Gambia
Buy this photo on Getty Images : Getty Images
Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly James Island, is an island in the Gambia River, 30 km from the river mouth and near Juffureh in the country of the Gambia. Fort James is located on the island. It is less than two miles from Albreda on the river's northern bank.
As an important historical site in the West African slave trade, it is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with related sites including Albreda, Juffureh and Fort Bullen. James Island is suffering heavy erosion, and is now approximately 1/6 of the size during the time when the fort was active. Ruins of several of the British administrative buildings (including a single cell, apparently used to house the most troublesome captives), a small jetty and a number of skeletal baobab trees remain. The ruins have been stabilised and protected by a capping. Because the island is low-lying, during high tide and storms sometimes waves will beat against some of the surviving structures.
Kunta Kinte, a character described in Alex Haley's book and TV series Roots, has become associated with James Island. He was one of 98 slaves that in 1767 the slave ship Lord Ligonier brought to Annapolis, Maryland.
Submitted: 22/10/2016
Accepted: 18/11/2016
Published:
- Data Call Technologies (TEXAS) 23-May-2017
- SAGA HOLIDAYS LTD (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 29-Nov-2018
- DPG Media NV (Belgium) 02-Nov-2022