If you take a walk through Gbefuru Island in Badagry, an ancient water well which still stands on the slave route, known as the ‘Attenuation Well’. This is usually the final drink by the slaves before heading into the ship.
Legend and history have it that the attenuation well has magical powers which erases the memories of people who drink from it.
Therefore, African slaves were made to drink out of it. They lose the memories of home and become loyal to their masters.
It essentially takes away their consciousness and cut their psychological ties with their origin. They were easily controlled this way.
A school of thought explained that it is why it was usually difficult for them to revolt or fight the slave masters during the trip because they outnumbered the slave masters, who were usually not more than 10 or 20.
Yet, they were always inactive throughout the course of the journey.
The attenuation well used to stand without a shelter. So recently, it was roofed with thatch for preservation and a small wall was built as a border around it because children often threw stones and sticks into it.
This wall also discourages anyone from drinking from it. Even without the wall, nobody dares fetch water from the well because of the story from its past.
Guys, I will visit this place again to drink from the attenuation well. I really need to forget somethings from my head.
©️ #onyenjem
