Slavery in Ancient Africa

Frequently, when we consider African slavery, we consider the African slaves in the 1800s in the United States. However, during the most of human history, slavery was widespread throughout much of the globe. This also applied to ancient Africa, where slavery existed in the majority of the continent’s historical empires and civilizations.

Slavery had a significant impact on ancient African history. Slaves made up up to one-third of the population in several African societies. The lowest caste in society, slaves had varying privileges and responsibilities depending on the community in which they lived.

How were individuals made into slaves?

In ancient Africa, there were numerous ways for someone to become a slave. Wars had taken many slaves as prisoners. To prevent these slaves from escaping and returning home, they were frequently sold to other countries. People have occasionally been made into slaves for a set amount of time in order to pay off debts or as punishment for committing crimes. Slaves’ offspring also grew up to be slaves.

What professions did slaves hold?

Slaves performed a range of tasks, such as farm labour, domestic service, and carrying commodities. Some slaves endured grueling working conditions in North African salt mines. The lifespans of these slaves were short. Being ordered to work in a salt mine was akin to being given the death penalty.

How did slaves fare?

Depending on the culture and area where they were held as slaves, slaves received varying levels of treatment. Slaves in certain societies received favorable treatment. They were frequently treated as family members and had rights. Other societies saw slaves as property and beat them when they didn’t put in enough effort.

Slavery Trade

Slave trade formed a significant aspect of the African economy starting approximately 700 CE. In the history of the African slave trade, there were two significant occasions.

The Arab Slave Trade

After Islam had seized control of much of north Africa, the Arab slave trade started in the 700s CE. Captured slaves were moved across the Sahara to be sold at slave markets along the Mediterranean after being taken from central Africa. After that, they were sent to Asia and the Middle East. For hundreds of years, the Arab slave trade was a significant component of the African economy.

The Slave Trade in Europe

In the 1500s, when Europeans first arrived in Africa, they discovered a well-established slave trade. To provide slaves to work in the Americas, a new slave market emerged. To serve this market, trade markets began to emerge along Africa’s west coast. There was a big market for slaves. Slave traders started conducting raids further inland to seize captives for sale to Europeans. Between 1500 and the late 1800s, historians estimate that 12 million slaves were sold to European and American slave dealers.

What year did slavery in Africa end?

In the middle of the 1800s, the slave trade started to decline. Slavery and the slave trade, however, have been a feature of African society and the continent’s economy for more than a millennium. This made it challenging to conclude. Long after it was officially outlawed in the majority of Africa in the 1930s, slavery was still practiced there in some manner.

Fascinating Information on Slavery in Ancient Africa

Slaves were carried to America in slave ships in appalling conditions, crammed close together. 10% of the slaves perished en route to America.

For many Africans in early 1800s West Africa, the danger of being abducted and sold into slavery was quite real.

For many African businessmen, rulers, and warlords, slaves were a significant source of money.

In the 1200s, Mansa Sakura, a former slave, was crowned emperor of the Mali Empire.

Slaves had the ability to own property, including other slaves, in various African communities.

As the slave trade expanded, several wars started with the primary goal of capturing slaves to sell.