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Destruction of Grand Taboo
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Destruction of Grand Taboo
The British HM Penelope destroys the town of Grand Taboo in Ghana
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Media ID 570823
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10001859
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of destruction as the British HM Penelope warship bombards the coastal town of Grand Taboo in Ghana, West Africa, in the late 19th century. The image bears witness to a pivotal moment in the complex and often tumultuous relationship between Europe and Africa during the height of the colonial era. Grand Taboo, located on the Gulf of Guinea, was a significant trading center for the Fetu people, known for their extensive trade networks and rich cultural heritage. However, the town's strategic location made it a target for European powers seeking to expand their territories and secure valuable resources. In 1874, the British, led by Commodore Sir Samuel Hood, arrived in Grand Taboo with the HM Penelope, a powerful warship, to assert their dominance and demand tribute from the local rulers. When the Fetu people refused to comply, the British launched a brutal attack on the town, resulting in the destruction of Grand Taboo and the deaths of countless innocent civilians. This photograph, taken from the deck of the HM Penelope, offers a chilling perspective of the aftermath of the attack. The once bustling town is reduced to smoldering ruins, with the ship looming large in the background, a symbol of the destructive power of colonialism. The image serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of European expansion on African communities and the long-lasting consequences of historical events that continue to shape the world today.
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