Freedom is a Must- Kwame Akoto Bamfo’s tribute to African Enslaved Ancestors

Ghanaian artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo. Sculpting hundreds of faces to represent the victims of the transatlantic slave trade is a powerful way to memorialize and honor those who suffered under the horrors of slavery.

The transatlantic slave trade was a devastating chapter in human history, responsible for the forced displacement and enslavement of millions of Africans. Akoto-Bamfo's sculptures serve as a visceral and moving reminder of the immense human toll of this inhumane system. By crafting individual faces, he gives a sense of identity and personhood to those who were so cruelly dehumanized.

Photo Credit: iAfrica

This year 2024 marks 405 years since the commencement of the transatlantic slave trade, Ghanaian artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo has been sculpting hundreds of faces to represent the men and women who fell victim to slavery.

Akoto-Bamfo has placed the sculptures in Ada Foah, which was a major slave market in the 19th century when the region was under British rule.

Akoto-Bamfo says he has borrowed from the ancient Akan tradition of creating portraits of the dead.

Akoto-Bamfo’s aim is to keep Ada Foah’s history alive and start conversations about what happened here.

The sculpted portraits are the ‘enslaved African’ section of the Nkyinkyim (pronounced Cheen – Cheem) installation, a broader take on Ghanaian history.

Photo Credit: TSA

He said he used to choose his models in the past to portray specific expressions and traits. But now he prefers to use random models so as to sculpt faces from all over Africa because people from all over the continent were enslaved.

Akoto-Bamfo said the installation is evolving and will continue to grow and expand across continents. He’s added more sculptures over the last month.

The project began in 2010. Today he is working on several new pieces for museums in Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama in the United States. One of his pieces already stands in the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Alabama.

Akoto-Bamfo believes the best way to remember the ancestors is to respect their descendants.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Memorials like this play an important role in educating people about historical atrocities and keeping the memory of victims alive. Akoto-Bamfo's work helps ensure that the stories and suffering of enslaved Africans are not forgotten. It's a poignant tribute and a call to reflect on this history and its ongoing impact.