Three
kilomteters west of Paga is the suburban village called "Paga
Nania". In this village are a slave transit camp and
relics of the slave trade. Founded by a brave hunter and farmer,
Nania developed into a trading center for Hausa, Mossi and
Zambrama traders. From the 16th century when slaves became
a dominant item of trade, Nania became the first stopover
and auction market for slaves captured in Mossi and surrounding
lands. It is the main site on the Upper East slave route.
Slaves bought in Nania were sent, by the intermediaries for
resale in the Salaga market.
The
market was situated in a rocky area referred to as "Pinkworo"
(Rocks of Fear). What survives today is a rock outcrop that
was used as an observation post by the raiders, water troughs
formed in the rocks from which slaves drank, grinding stones
and indents in the rocks, where slaves ground cereals for
food.
Also
on the "Pinkworo" are markings said to have resulted
from the slapping of hands and foot stamping by agonized slaves.
Another tradition is that slaves used stones to make music
on the rocks, which left those marks. Ironically, the heartless
slave raiders were said to have enjoyed this as entertainment
and music.
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