Slave Markets

A dark chapter of Guadeloupean history

The Petit‑Canal slave market is more than just a site—it’s a memorial steeped in history that recounts a crucial period in Guadeloupean history. Visitors arriving are immediately moved by the emotion emanating from the place. The volcanic stone steps, known as the “slave steps,” lead to a square where captives were once auctioned. Each step symbolizes a fragment of this painful history—an enduring testament to the suffering and resilience of enslaved people.

This memorial space illuminates a pivotal chapter in Guadeloupe’s history. From 1635, with the advent of French colonization, the first agricultural enterprises relied on enslaved labor. In 1650, the earliest slave trade venues were established, particularly in Petit‑Canal, due to its proximity to ports. Slavery was first abolished in 1794 by the First French Republic, then reinstated in 1802 under Napoleon Bonaparte, before being permanently abolished in 1848. This final abolition marked the end of Petit‑Canal’s role as a slave market, and transformed the site into a place of remembrance. The “Memorial of the Steps” was inaugurated in 1998 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of abolition.

The captives at the Petit‑Canal market were men, women, and children of African origin—bought or captured in Africa and deported as part of the transatlantic slave trade. Viewed merely as commodities, they were auctioned off for forced labor on plantations of sugarcane, the backbone of the French West Indies economy. Most of these captives came from West Africa—regions like the Gulf of Guinea (now Benin, Togo, Ghana), Angola, and Senegal, crucial to European slavers. Many were captured in raids or sold by local leaders to slave traders. The journey across the Atlantic was horrific—packed into unsanitary ship holds, they suffered malnutrition, disease, and inhumane treatment, leading to countless deaths before they even arrived. When they disembarked at ports like Petit‑Canal, captives were taken to the slave market: displayed, inspected, and sold at public auction—sold purely for economic gain, with no regard for their humanity, suffering, or shattered families. After being sold, they were sent to plantations or estates where forced labor prevailed. Their lives were marked by brutal working hours, harsh corporal punishment, and total loss of freedom—a tragic core of an economy built on human suffering.

The slave steps of Petit‑Canal : witnesses to collective memory

These volcanic stone steps were quarried locally, linking the memorial to its land. Time and weather have worn them smooth, carrying the silent weight of history. Today, local artists have added sculptures that honor the dignity and resilience of ancestors. This memorial invites every visitor to reflect deeply on Guadeloupe’s complex past. Upon arrival, the emotional power of the site is palpable. The “slave steps” lead to a square where captives were once auctioned. Each step, worn and aged, carries the scars of time and atrocity. Contemporary sculptures pay tribute to resilience and ancestral dignity. The "Memorial of the Steps" stands as a poignant tribute, featured in local archives and heritage conservation lists. On-site informational panels detail the slave trade’s historical context and economic impact—explaining how auctions were conducted and mapping trade routes linking Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. Extracts from old newspapers and firsthand accounts bring to life the brutal reality of that era. Nearby, visitors can explore remnants of colonial times—warehouses for goods from the triangular trade—offering insight into the logistics and networks supporting this human trade.

Related historical sites: heritage that must never be forgotten

The site of the Slave Steps in Petit‑Canal is surrounded by places rich in history, each contributing to collective memory. Close by stands the Trunk of Souls, engraved with the words "Liberté – 1848," marking the abolition of slavery in Guadeloupe. This monument, one of the oldest in the archipelago, is a call to reflect on past struggles for human dignity. Nearby, the Monument of the Eternal Flame, inaugurated in 1994, honors the memory of anonymous slaves. Historians note that it contains whips symbolically returned by plantation owners at emancipation. Visiting these landmarks is more than a historical tour—it’s a journey through a time where courage and resilience forged Guadeloupean identity.

The importance of guided tours and ancestral storytellers for historical immersion

Exploring the Slave Steps without guidance risks missing their profound meaning. Guiding—especially by ancestral storytellers like Jude—transforms the site into a living, educational experience. With heartfelt passion, they recount the stories of deported peoples, resistors like Louis Delgrès, and families shattered by the slave trade. These outings go beyond history—offering insight into slavery’s enduring impact on Guadeloupean society. For instance, each step in the staircase is named after an African ethnicity, linking Guadeloupe and Africa in deep ways. This approach fosters emotional connection and prompts discussion on themes like freedom and resilience. Allow about one hour for full immersion, ideally with a guided tour. Without this context-rich storytelling, the memorial risks losing its impact. The experience becomes more than viewing stones—it’s an invitation to reflect, to feel, and to pass on the story. Guided tours deepen understanding and bring this crucial past to life.

When did slavery begin in Guadeloupe ?

Slavery in Guadeloupe began in the early 17th century, with French colonization in 1635 that established sugar plantations—a system that depended on enslaved labor. After local populations declined due to disease and conflict, enslaved Africans were brought in by the thousands under brutal conditions. The practice was institutionalized by the Code Noir in 1685, intended to regulate slave life but effectively reinforcing exploitation. This cruel system endured over two centuries, fueling a thriving colonial economy—but at the cost of immense human suffering. Understanding this context sheds light on the subsequent struggles for freedom—like the slave revolts (e.g., the 1802 uprising led by Louis Delgrès) and the final abolition in 1848—highlighting the oppressed’s enduring courage and resilience. Learning this history pays tribute not only to Guadeloupe, but to humanity.

Which African ethnic groups were deported to Guadeloupe ?

The transatlantic slave trade to Guadeloupe involved a remarkable diversity of African ethnicities, each with unique stories and cultures. Among them were Congos (from the Congo River Basin), Yorubas (from modern-day Nigeria, Togo, and Benin), Ibos (also from Nigeria), Fulani (nomads of West Africa), and Wolofs (from Senegal). These groups were often captured in conflicts or sold by local leaders to European slavers. Once in Guadeloupe, they were forced to work on sugar, cotton, or coffee plantations. The names of these ethnic groups are carved into the 54 Slave Steps of Petit‑Canal, honoring their memory and suffering. Though tragic, this heritage helps preserve the memory of uprooted populations and highlights their lasting cultural contributions to Guadeloupe—visible today in language, cuisine, and music.