This Artefacts are destined for display as part of the Smithsonian National Museum of Afrcan American History and Culture's inaugural exhibition entitled, "Slavery and Freedom" when the museum opens its doors in Washington DC on 24 September 2016 to coincide with National Heritage Day.
In honour of international collaboration, South African Embassy in Washington DC will on Wednesday, 13 July 2016 host a celebration of the international research partnership between Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko), an institute of the Department of Arts and Culture, the Smithsonial National Museum of African American History and Culture, and George Washingtion University (GWU). These institutions are part of a broader global partnership, the Slave Wreck Project that spearheaded the historic discovery of the Sao Jose wreck.
The Portugese slave ship Sao Jose set sail in 1794, travelling from Lisbon to Mozambique to buy slaves to take to Brazil. The ship, which made its ill-fated journey relatively early in the history of the slave trade between East Africa and the Americans, was carrying over 400 enslaved Africans when it hit a rock off the coast of South Africa. Some of those on board were able to make it to shore but the ship sank and about half of the slaves it carried perished at sea. The Slave Wreck Project been investigating the impact of the slave trade on world history for nearly a decade and the on-going documentation, retrieval and conservation of select artefacts.
The discovery of the shipwreck of the Portuguese slavery, Sao Jose Paquete de Africa was the first successful effor ever, to bring to light the archaelogical vestiges of one of thousands of vessels that brought over ten million Africans in chains to the Americans.
"The Sao Jose artifacts bears a tragic testimony which represents an African story that should be told not only to Africa but also to the world. This also signifies the divisive and historical unjustices of Africa's colonial past," states Minister Mthethwa.
The recovered artefacts bear testimony to the tragic events of December 1794, which witnessed the Sao Jose break up and dissapear under the turbulent Cape waters, just off the area now known as Clifton Beach, carrying 211 enslaved Mozambicans to a watery grave. The 200 enslaved Mozambicans rescued from the sinking slave ship were sold into slavery at the Cape.
