The 'Family Feud' host shares a video of their emotional trip to the Elmina Castle, where slaves used to be taken and confined into small spaces before being shipped to foreign countries.
- Aug 20, 2019
AceShowbiz - Steve Harvey and Marjorie took an emotional journey back "home" during their visit to Ghana Slave Castle on Friday, August 16. The talk show host shared on Instagram a video of their trip to the Elmina Castle, which was used for a slave trade.
The 62-year-old appeared to break down in tears in the clip as they were shown a small space inside the castle, where slaves used to be taken and confined into before being shipped to foreign countries. Steve said in the caption that he felt the pain for his ancestors.
"This was real pain I felt going back to Ghana's slave castles...I could feel my ancestors on me...," he wrote. "Powerful beyond words that I can explain. I encourage as many of you as possible to go HOME for your ancestors. Their strength is in each of us and we must honor their ultimate sacrifice in all that we do."
The site was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and was originally used as a trading post. In 1653, the Swedish Africa Company constructed a timber fort there. It became a center for the trade in timber and gold, before it was later used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
In one of the pictures obtained by TMZ, Steve "had to sit down at one point and take a breather" after learning of the inhumane conditions slaves were relegated to in those days. His wife Marjorie was also seen getting tearful at one point during the tour.
Sources tell the site that Steve and his family were explained "how Africans were crowded into small spaces throughout the castle, where there were no windows for fresh air ... or even light. Steve was also shown some of the shackles, whips and other devices used on slaves before they were taken away on boats. We're told the Harvey family even put on some of those chains."
The Harvey family's trip to Ghana Slave Castle was a drastic turn from their lavish yacht trip to celebrate his wife Marjorie's 55th birthday. The month-long vacation began in July and ended earlier this month.
