Back to Africa: Back to the Future through Windows & Doors ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

Trip back to Africa immersed in history
The defiance of a people subjugated
Like memories’ power to hold
Photographs are windows of
Moments frozen in time
Like eyes’ windows to the soul
History etched in architecture
The stories buildings hold

Jetty 1 (Cape Town, South Africa), formally a prison and now a museum

Jetty 1 at the Cape Town harbor is a museum that gives the full account of Robben Island, before and after apartheid. It holds the stories of those enslaved by apartheid in South Africa and kept isolated, imprisoned on Robben Island. Robben Island can be viewed through the windows of the museum and through the windows of peoples’ lived experiences etched in letters now forever engraved for posterity on the museum walls.

The memories of loved ones captured in letters of requests for visits.
The team of guards that worked Robben Island prison in the year Nelson Mandela was remanded there
The guards included young men looking not older than 18 years
Looking out the window of the Museum, one sees the boat (now decommissioned) — the Susan Kruger—which transported those held as prisoners to Robben Island. Mandela was always flown on/off the island.
While the Museum shows the atrocities of apartheid, these experiences are juxtaposed to the courage and resilience of a people to survive and thrive in spite of it.
Old Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

In Old Stone Town, Zanzibar (Tanzania), doors tell a story, they have a deeper meaning. They were the mark of status and prestige for wealthy merchant families.

Ornately carved wooden doors served as windows to the happenings in a household. If you look close enough you’ll see etched in each door the trade of its residents:

From left to right:
chain=slave trader
scales=fishing
vine=plantation

The door’s design is also indicative of multicultural heritage—the intersection of Swahili, Arab, and Indian traditions—that forged the identity of this historic, fascinating city.

Some Zanzibar doors have distinctive brass studs attributed to the Indian influence. The studs originated as a defence against war elephants, but on Stone Town’s doors these were purely decorative.

Zanzibar is a traveler’s delight filled with history, culture and architectural wonder. 

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In creative solidarity, Dee

26 thoughts on “Back to Africa: Back to the Future through Windows & Doors ©Dawn Minott”

  1. Wonderful post. I was just chatting with my family about taking a trip to Zanzibar soon since my best friend lives in Tanzania. These images are amazing, Africa is filled with so many beautiful places with cultural/historical significance.

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  3. Oh my gosh Dawn, where do I begin. First, I love this reflection in your poem:
    Photographs are windows of
    Moments frozen in time
    Like eyes’ windows to the soul
    History etched in architecture
    The stories buildings hold

    Your photographs are amazing, and it’s so interesting about the story a door can tell. You were certainly absorbed in a rich and diverse historical culture adventure! I’m jealous, but live vicariously through your journals! You go sistah!!! 🚙🏰🛫💼📸

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    1. Hey dear Kym!!! Thanks sistah-gurl!!! As much as I thoroughly enjoy all the wonderful experiences when I travel, what I love most is delving into the history, the culture—what makes a place tick!!! Happy to take you on vicarious voyages and I wanna be on yours too!!! Made me think of Coolio’s (may his soul RIP) fantastic voyage 😊

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        1. Totally forgot about Lakeside!! Loved that trip down memory lane sistah!!!! Yup nothing like history deep dive to make a vacay memorable. Few ppl have that appreciation so I tend to solo my way through!

          Liked by 1 person

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