The transatlantic slave trade lasted from the 15th to the 19th century, forcibly removing millions of Africans from their homeland. During this period, Cameroon, like many other African nations, was deeply affected. Coastal areas, including Bimbia, became significant slave-trading hubs, where captured individuals were held before being transported across the Atlantic.
Although slavery was abolished in the 19th century, the remnants of this dark past remain, with Bimbia Slave Port standing as a solemn reminder of the suffering endured by countless Africans.
In 2024, I visited Bimbia to experience this historical site firsthand. I highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in history, as it offers deep insights into Cameroon’s past while allowing visitors to reflect on the resilience of those who suffered.
Table of Contents
- Seeking Permission from the Limbe 3 Council
- Walking Around Bimbia Village
- The Slave Trade Center – A Place of Suffering
- The Arrival of Joseph Merrick and the First Church in Bimbia
- The Ocean and the Canons
- The Beauty of Bimbia Beach
- Tasting the Banga School Fruit
- Ending the Trip at Down Beach
- Recommendations
- Final Thoughts
Seeking Permission from the Bimbia Limbe 3 Council
The journey began with a bike ride from Mile 4 Limbe to the Limbe 3 Council, which cost about 1000 CFA francs. While the trip is a bit far from the main city area, the views of the expansive hills along the way are absolutely stunning.
Visiting the Bimbia Slave Port requires formal permission from the Limbe 3 Council. Additionally, there is an entrance fee of 10,000 CFA francs per visitor. Though the price may seem steep, the significance of the site makes it a worthwhile investment for those who wish to learn about Cameroon’s history firsthand.
Walking Around Bimbia Village
With a guide, we trekked down the steep hills of Bimbia village, making our way toward the sea. The village had few inhabitants, but there was a strong sense of unity among them. Walking along the tarred road was exhausting, so I highly recommend using a car to get there. Along the way, we observed how the locals process palm nuts to produce oil, a method passed down for generations, demonstrating their resilience despite the dark past.
The Slave Trade Center – A Place of Suffering
The Bimbia Slave Trade Port was primarily managed under colonial rule, with the British exerting significant control over the area. During the 19th century, Cameroon was part of the German Empire until it was taken over by the British and French after World War I. The British governed the coastal region, including Bimbia, as part of their colonial mandate. The center functioned as a holding area where enslaved Africans, mostly from the interior, were brought by local slave traders.
Once at Bimbia, the captives were confined in harsh conditions before being processed for shipment. The British established a system to control and manage the flow of enslaved people, using the port to prepare them for the long journey across the Atlantic. Enslaved individuals were separated by age and gender, with specific sections for adults and children. They were often shackled and kept in small, overcrowded prisons or pens while waiting for the next available ship.
The center also included slave taps—large structures where enslaved people were forced to drink water. The Gate of No Return, a key feature of the port, symbolized the last step many took before leaving the African continent, never to return. These structures and the site as a whole were designed to serve the logistical needs of the transatlantic slave trade. While maintaining strict control over the enslaved population. The legacy of this dark chapter in history is preserved at Bimbia. It is a powerful reminder of the brutality of the colonial era and the suffering it caused.
The Arrival of Joseph Merrick and the First Church in Bimbia
In 1843, Joseph Merrick, along with other missionaries, arrived in Cameroon to spread Christianity. Joseph Merrick began preaching in 1837 in Jamaica and was ordained a full missionary in 1838. In 1842, Reverend John Clarke and Dr. G. K. Prince of the Baptist Missionary Society sought Jamaican lay missionaries for an expedition to the Cameroon coast, and Merrick joined them. The party reached England on September 8, 1842, and arrived at Santa Isabel on the island of Fernando Po in 1843.
In 1843, Merrick visited Bimbia, Cameroon, where he spoke with King William of the Isubu people to request permission to establish a church. Despite some initial resistance, the king allowed it. Merrick founded the Jubilee Mission in 1844 and opened a school the same year. Over the next few years, he translated parts of the New Testament into the Isubu language. Heset up a brick-making machine, and established a printing press to publish his Bible translation and teaching materials.
Why is he considered a monumental figure?
Merrick also ventured into the interior, climbing Mount Cameroon and becoming the first non-African to visit the Bakoko people. In 1849, due to ill health, Merrick returned to England but died at sea on October 22. After his death, Joseph Jackson Fuller took over the mission at Bimbia. Also, Alfred Saker used Merrick’s printing press to translate and print the Bible in Duala. The Joseph Merrick Baptist College in Ndu, Cameroon, is named in his honor.
One of their most notable achievements was the founding of the first church in Bimbia.
This church, despite its age, is still used for worship today by Bimbian Christians. It stands as a symbol of resilience and faith, marking the influence of colonial-era Christianity in the region. add more on this and include other missionaries.
The Ocean and the Canons
Our excitement grew as we approached the old British artilleries. These cannons, firmly secured on stones by the water, were used to defend the area from foreign intruders. Seeing them gave me a deeper appreciation for Cameroon’s rich resources and strategic importance. The battles for control over Limbe were fierce, as its mineral wealth made it a valuable prize. No wonder the British ruled this part of Cameroon for 44 years, enforcing their systems upon English-speaking Cameroonians.
The Beauty of Bimbia Beach
Bimbia Beach is breathtaking, with its volcanic stones, fairly brownish sand, and lush trees adding to its natural beauty. The unique volcanic rocks lining the beach give it an almost mystical appearance, their dark hue contrasting with the vibrant green of the surrounding trees. The warm, golden sand, mixed with traces of volcanic ash, creates a distinct landscape that is as captivating as it is haunting.
However, knowing the tragic history associated with this serene spot made the visit deeply emotional. Bimbia Beach was the final point of contact for thousands of enslaved Africans who were captured and held in the nearby Slave Trade Center before being forced onto ships bound for the Americas. As the enslaved individuals walked toward the shore, the stunning view of the vast ocean would likely have been their last glimpse of their homeland, knowing they would never return.
The juxtaposition of the beach’s peaceful beauty and its tragic history is overwhelming. It’s hard not to imagine the fear, sorrow, and despair that once filled the air, as men, women, and children were cruelly taken from their families and their lives. The beach, now a symbol of resilience and a place of reflection, serves as a solemn reminder of the human suffering endured during the transatlantic slave trade.
Standing there, I couldn’t help but reflect on how the beach, with its gentle waves now lapping against the shore, had once witnessed unspeakable acts of inhumanity. The beauty of Bimbia Beach, while captivating, will always be inextricably linked to the pain and loss experienced by those who were forced to make that harrowing journey across the ocean.
Tasting the “Banga School” Fruit
During our tour, we came across a local fruit called “banga school”. It is not very sweet, but it contains a nut inside. You eat the outer skin and then crack the nut inside, which has a taste similar to almonds. This unique snack gave us a small taste of the natural resources that Bimbia offers.
Ending the Trip at Down Beach
After our emotional visit to Bimbia, we headed to Down Beach to enjoy some BBQ fish. The fresh seafood and the relaxing atmosphere provided a comforting end to our journey, allowing us to reflect on everything we had witnessed throughout the day.
Recommendations
The Cameroon government should maintain the Bimbia Slave Port site better, as the area around the center is very bushy and not well maintained.
I recommend visiting during the afternoon hours in the dry season. Early in the morning and during the rainy season, there are many mosquitoes, so bring mosquito spray or wear long clothes.
Ensure you pay a guide inside the council building or insist on seeing a council official. I am still unsure if the person who took us around was a real council worker because corruption is prevalent in Cameroon. I am very sure we were scammed. We only found out when we were returning that he didn’t take us through the main gate. Thats to say, we didn’t see all of the site. Insist to be taken through the main route from a council officer. Another tourist has a very bad experience as linked here.
The distance from the council to the beach area is paved, so using a car is the best option. We didn’t know the distance, so we walked for a long time, which was exhausting, especially given the steep hills. If you cannot hire a car, hiring a motorbike to wait for you or come back to pick you up is a safe strategy.
Bring plenty of snacks and water, as the journey is long and can be physically demanding. Walking on an empty stomach, as we did, is not advisable.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Bimbia Slave Port was an emotional and eye-opening experience. The site preserves the painful history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade while highlighting Cameroon’s rich cultural heritage.
For anyone interested in history, Bimbia is a must-visit destination. It reminds us of the struggles of the past and the strength of those who endured them.
In addition to Bimbia, I’ve explored historic sites across Africa and Asia, including the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the historic city of Accra in Ghana. I highly encourage you to visit these remarkable places and immerse yourself in their rich history and culture.
