2024
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Le Slave Lodge est l’un des plus anciens édifices de la ville. Construit en 1679, il a abrité plus de 9 000 esclaves amenés par la Compagnie hollandaise des Indes pour servir de main-d’œuvre à la colonie. A partir de 1810, le bâtiment fut transformé pour servir de bureau gouvernemental, puis de Cour suprême. Restauré une première fois en 1960 pour devenir le musée de l’Histoire culturelle, il fut rebaptisé Slave Lodge en 1998. Aujourd’hui, la mémoire collective tente de mettre en valeur l’héritage des esclaves au Cap, un héritage longtemps occulté dans l’histoire du pays. L’accent est mis sur les racines et les ancêtres des métis du Cap. La route des esclaves de la Compagnie néerlandaise des Indes orientales (VOC), venus d’Indonésie, d’Inde, du Sri Lanka, de Madagascar et du Mozambique, est comparée à la route transatlantique vers les plantations d’Amérique. Dans une alcôve, sur une colonne lumineuse interactive, à l’intérieur d’anneaux tournants, sont inscrits des noms donnés aux esclaves par leurs propriétaires : Bienvenu, Fortune, Septembre, Titus, Cupidon, Salomon ou Moïse… Pendant des générations, ces esclaves, une fois arrivés au Slave Lodge, étaient vendus comme des biens ordinaires sous un figuier situé à l’arrière du bâtiment, actuellement sur Spin Street. Enfin, une salle multimédia plonge le visiteur dans cet univers sombre et oppressant. Pour mieux comprendre leur quotidien, rendez-vous à Groot Constantia, un domaine agricole où ils étaient largement exploités. Les expositions temporaires sont intéressantes.
Informations complémentaires
Informations et horaires sur SLAVE LODGE
Ouvert de 9h à 17h, fermé le dimanche, le 1er mai et le 25 décembre. Entrée : 30 R, - 18 ans étudiants : 15 R.
Avis des membres sur SLAVE LODGE
Visit open minded and eager to accept the horrible past.
Questions fréquentes :
Theres soooooo much and I do wish to return for a longer visit. They cover South African and African slave history and also highlights the important tragic reality that slavery still exists in various forms. They have a couple of rooms devoted to the amazing Nelson Mandela- which left me inspired and with tears in my eyes as always… he's just such an incredible human being and I’m always left hoping and wondering whether I possess even a bit of his courage, humility, love and compassion- He really is my favorite person ????
They have this fabulous timeline that traces Cape Town history, South African slave history and Slave history around the world simultaneously yet color-coded for better understanding- BRILLIANT!
They have an interesting guns collection which I didn’t spend too much time in.
They also highlight violence against women and talk about this epidemic which is necessary… violence towards women is merely another form of subjugation and suppression so Im glad for this section.
What I truly loved more than the other aspects I loved are the voices given to living descendants. People today are able to speak about their experiences and growing up the descendant of an enslaved person. Its fascinating and reminds us that consequences of slavery which ended in the 1800’s is palpable and affecting to this day.
In this way the museum is a living museum, an institution not just focusing on the past but inquiring and seeking ways to help those in the present and the future. It’s trying to be the change we want in this world. Truly magnificent exhibitions ✊????????????
They also cover the role of music as an outlet for repressed peoples and talk about the lovely anthem for a beautiful new South Africa and its significance.
Finally, of course they do cover apartheid which was also tremendously interesting and devastating but also inspiring because sooooooo many unknown people fought the good fight and died for the rights of all peoples. They feature lists of names of these heroes- a wonderful tribute and a humbling experience.
There are many sections I haven’t mentioned such as an Egyptian section but I was a bit pressed for time. I left feeling deep profound complex thoughts about our species and these thoughts and questions are still fresh in my mind. In that sense this museum did a phenomenal job in educating and enlightening a horrible terrible part of who we are whilst reminding us that we are loving and strong and beautiful and incredible as a species nonetheless. That hope always reigns supreme.