1 Pilgrimage to Arochukwu in God’s Own State By J. Akuma-Kalu Njoku, Ph.D My research has traced Igbo slave journeys to one of their very beginning points in the Arochukwu Cave, which has been nominated and is on the preliminary list of UNESCO world heritage sites. From Freedom to Freedom pilgrimage to Abia State, Nigeria is a journeying back to the state of freedom that was before the transatlantic slave trade started.

2 Beginning with Haley’s Roots, many African Americans have been undertaking ritual quests for reconnection and healing by visiting Goree in Senegal, Elmina in Ghana, or Abomey in Benin. They do not go to sites in Bonny, or to Calabar in Nigeria. Yet Nigeria is in the region that European traders named the Slave Coast to distinguish it from the Grain Coast (much of Senegal and Gambia), from the Ivory Coast (now Cote D’Ivoire), and from the Gold Coast (now Ghana). And it is estimated that over 50% of the enslaved Africans that went to Virginia, began their journeys from Calabar, and Bonny, Nigeria.

3 Starting from March 2013, as an extension of the African American history month, when African Americans celebrate their long journey from slavery to freedom in the United States, we will be journeying back to Arochukwu, Nigeria. That is to the state of freedom that was before the Atlantic slave began.

4 The experience will enhance reconnection, reconciliation and forgiveness, among peoples of African descent in the Diaspora and help to heal the deep-seated wounds of the Atlantic slave trade and slavery on both sides of the Atlantic. The following is a sample of the material vestiges of the Atlantic slave trade on the Freedom to Freedom trail from Virginia to Abia State.

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6 Here is a map showing the direction escape routes from Virginia to Canada. For a more detailed map of escape routes of the Underground Railroad produced by the National Park Service Cartographic Staff at Harpers Ferry Center.For a more detailed map of escape routes of the Underground Railroad produced by the National Park Service Cartographic Staff at Harpers Ferry Center.

7 SITES IN IGBO HINTERLAND OF NIGERIA 1.The Blue River in Azumini The Blue River is the waterway to Bonny

8 2. The Last Stop in Igboland (Azumini) Chief and elders in the last stop (former slave quarters) by the Blue River

9 3. The Ram Market in Azumini Ahia Nwaebule the Main Slave Market in Azumini.

10 4. The Slave Market in Uzuakoli Eke Ukwu, Agbagwu former slave market showing the goat shed or stalls

11 5. Eke Oba The Eke Oba Agbagwu former slave market

12 6. The Slave Root Agbagwu (Eke Oba) Market in Uzuakoli Captives for sale were tied to this surface root of this Achi tree

13 7. The Stones of Disorientation in Uzuakoli Stones of Disorientation at the former Slave Market in Uzuakoli

14 8. The House Museum in Uzuakoli Chief Iheukwumere talking about the material culture

15 9. Slave Route to Bende via Ozu Item The Mgbele Nkume Hill in Uzuakoli on the slave route to Bende

16 10. The Slave Market in Bende Ahia Afo: A Former Slave Mart in Bende

17 11. The Slave Cells (Ulo Isi) in Bende A Slave Holding Cell (Ulo Isi [Dark House] Built by Omenuko) in Bende

18 12. Omenuko’s Friend’s House in Bende A House in Ndi Mgborogwu where it is believed Omenuko stayed

19 13. Eke Kalu’s Family House in Elu Ohafia The house of the legendary Eke Kalu who escaped slavery from Arochukwu

20 14. An Subsidiary Shrine of Ibin Ibin Ukpabi shrine at the Obunkwa and Safe Haven Asaga

21 15. The Safe Haven in Asaga Ohafia A compound hall in Asaga and safe haven for escapees

22 16. Ahia Ose Nwamkpi, a Slave Mart at the St. Paul’s Junction in Abuma Ututu St. Paul's Junction and the route to Calabar via Ihe Osu

23 17. Cave Rendezvous The Cave Rendezvous at Abuma Ututu

24 18. The Cave Outlet in Abuma Ututu A shrine and checkpoint before cave rendezvous in Abuma

25 19. (Ambience of Mother God) in Obiene Ututu Rain Forest Rendezvous

26 20. The Cave Outlet in Iyi Eke, Arochukwu Aniyom making the ritual marks on the outer wall of the cave outlet in Iyi Eke

27 21. The River of Blood Crossing the River of Blood in the Cave

28 22. The Tunnel of Disappearance at the Temple Complex

29 23. The Alter at the Temple The Kitchen Area

30 24. The Oracular Shrine of Ibin Ukpabi

31 25. The Dark Chamber Presence The Dark Chamber Presence of Chukwu Abiama (Abia amara nke bu Eziokwu)

32 See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t A75S7C5leM&feature=relmfu The Arochukwu Cave and the shrine of Ibin Ukpabi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t A75S7C5leM&feature=relmfu see: www.wku/~johnston.njoku/introwww.wku/~johnston.njoku/intro For more details on the Nigerian Hinterland Slave Route project,