Cudjo's own story of the last African slaver

Through the voice of Cudjo, a man who survived the last American‑era slave shipment, listeners are drawn into a world where river‑bank shipyards in Alabama launch vessels like the swift Clotilde, loaded with people taken by Dahomey’s fierce warriors. His account begins with the cramped decks, the cold Atlantic, and the unsettling realization that the trade is still being reported in distant newspapers.

The narrative then turns to the African communities from which the captives were torn. Cudjo describes a peaceful village of Togo farmers who tend yams, palm trees, and wild melons, sharing labor and property. He paints vivid scenes of clay‑walled homes, communal fire pits, and meals cooked over open coals, while noting the absence of milk and the unique way they roast hogs with sage—an early echo of barbecue.

Listeners will hear a rare, first‑hand perspective that blends personal memory with observations of social customs, offering a nuanced glimpse into a chapter of history that textbooks often overlook. The story remains grounded in Cudjo’s own words and experiences.