ABSTRACT
This chapter compares and explores how the trauma of colonialism is represented through slavery in two contrasting colonial geographies at Cape Coast Castle (Ghana) and the International Slavery Museum (England, UK). Through interviews with a representative of the museum and personal observations of the material displays in April and May 2018, this study shows that trauma was similarly represented, but narrated from a different perspective. The representation of trauma was evidently focused on the events and brutalities of slavery at the trans-Atlantic geography, as well as the impacts of slavery on society today at both museums. Both exhibitions include a significant contribution of resistance and human rights as connected to the trauma, and draw connections between the impacts of slavery and the makeup of both societies today through textual or material interpretation. Regardless of the different perspective from which the representation is narrated, both material displays seem clearly based on a trauma paradigm, including (audio)visuals, personal, powerful, symbolic and authentic objects, and personal storytelling. The material display at both exhibitions include counter-perspectives which focus on stirring an emotional visitor experience, but through dissimilar objects and interpretation methods. Cape Coast Castle typically includes authentic and replicated objects, and simulated social environments, whereas the International Slavery Museum employs more interactive techniques such as storytelling, audio clips and interactive displays. It has become clear that the combination of objects, interpretation methods and the authenticity of the site encourages a balance between a cognitive and emotional visitor experience.
