Dark Bullion: In the Classroom
A free audio resource for teaching the Atlantic slave trade
Dark Bullion is a historical audio series that explores the Atlantic slave trade through lesser-known themes and contradictions. It is designed to be accessible to a general audience while maintaining scholarly rigour, making it suitable for secondary and university-level teaching, adult education, and community discussion groups.
The series is available at no cost, along with comprehensive study materials in English and French. All materials may be used freely in educational settings.
The content deals with the Atlantic slave trade and includes discussions of violence, dehumanisation, and systematic oppression. While the series avoids graphic depictions of suffering, the subject matter is inherently difficult. We recommend previewing episodes before classroom use.
The Series
- EP01: A Portal to Oblivion Calvin Walker 14:18
- EP02: West African Peoples Calvin Walker 10:11
- EP03: Captive Markets Calvin Walker 14:42
- EP04: Paper Bulls Calvin Walker 13:00
- EP05: Women of West Africa Calvin Walker 22:07
- EP06: Inventory Calvin Walker 23:41
- EP07: Meanwhile in Europe Calvin Walker 29:36
Episodes can be used individually or as a sequence. Each is self-contained but builds on earlier material. The series begins in 1685 Ouidah, in the Kingdom of Dahomey, and expands outward — through West African societies, the mechanics of capture and trade, religious justifications, women’s roles, the infrastructure of commodification, and the democratisation of the trade across Europe.
Teaching Materials
What the Study Guide includes
- Episode descriptions with key themes and terms
- 10+ quiz questions with answer key
- “History in the Present Tense” — discussion questions connecting the material to contemporary issues
- Essay questions with writing guidance (1,500–2,500 words)
- Detailed timeline from the 15th to the 21st century
- Cast-list of historical figures with context
- Glossary of key terms
- Maps of the transatlantic slave trade
How to Use the Series
In a course or seminar
- Assign one or two episodes per session as listening homework
- Use the quiz questions as comprehension checks
- Use the “History in the Present Tense” discussion questions to connect historical material to contemporary debates
- Assign essay questions for assessed or formative work
In a discussion group or book club
- Listen to episodes together or individually between meetings
- Begin with the quiz as a warm-up, then move to the open discussion questions
- The Quick Reference provides a concise recap for each session
For independent study
- Listen to each episode, then review the corresponding section of the Study Guide
- Use the glossary and timeline to build context as you progress
Subject Areas
The series is relevant across disciplines, including but not limited to: history, African studies, religious studies, economics, gender studies, ethics, political science, and literature. The bilingual materials also make it suitable for language programmes. Seven episodes are currently available, with more to follow. Total listening time is approximately two hours.
An Ongoing Project
Dark Bullion is a work in progress. New episodes and updated study materials will be added as the series develops. The project also tracks contemporary developments that echo the historical material — institutional reckonings, evolving debates on reparations, and new research.
To be notified of new episodes and materials, or to discuss using the series in your programme, contact: calvinwalk@gmail.com
About
Dark Bullion is a personal project by Calvin Walker, an independent consultant based in Paris who works in the arts and culture sector. The series uses AI-generated voices and is drawn from historical records, traveller accounts, and European enslavers’ reports. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy while presenting the complexity and contradictions of the past with care.
For accessibility, the pronunciation “Voodoo” is used in the audio. The appropriate spellings in the context of West African religious traditions are Vodou or Vodún.
© 2026 Calvin Walker — calvinwalk@gmail.com