SLAVE TRADE IN INDIAN OCEAN_TOPIC 3_HISTORY FORM 2
SLAVE TRADE IN INDIAN OCEAN
Slave: Is
the person who is illegally owned and controlled by another person and is
forced to work for them.
Slavery: Is
an act of owning and using slaves.
Slave
trade: Is the activity of buying and selling human beings like
other commodities.
Slave trade in East Africa began after the
arrival of Portuguese in 15th Century up to 1873 during the
SayyidBarghash treaty or free treaty.
Africa experienced two types of slave trade.
1.
The Indian Ocean slave trade which was conducted by Asians.
2.
The Trans-Atlantic Ocean slave trade conducted by European merchants.
1.
THE INDIAN OCEAN SLAVE TRADE
Main peoples involved: Arab traders,
European merchants, African chiefs e.g. Mirambo and NyunguyaMawe, The Nyamwezi,
The Kamba, The Yao, Buganda, Banyoro, Khartoumers.
The
Nyamwezi: They were called Nyamwezi (people of the moon) because
they came from the West direction in which the new moon is first seen. Their
involvement in slave trade was partly caused by the demand for slaves in the
interior. They dealt in ivory, copper, slaves and wax they wanted to acquire
commodities like glass, spices, clothes, mirrors, guns in exchange for slaves.
The
Role of chief Mirambo
Mirambo was born around 1830 AD and spent
part of his life as a captive of the Tuta Ngoni in Bugoma. He organized a
strong army of highly paid mercenaries (rugaruga) who were the basis of his
power.
He established friendly relations with
KabakaMutesa of Buganda with whom they trade in salt, slaves, iron implements
grains and livestock. He acquired guns from Arab and Swahili traders and this
helped him during his empire building process.
He controlled major trade routed in his
territory by imposing taxes on traders passing through his area. Between
1860-1870, Mirambo carried out extensive conquests
Vinza and Tongwe and recruited some abled
men for his army and sold others in slavery.
Unfortunately, when Mirambo died in 1884,
his empire also collapsed because it lacked a military leader as powerful and
courageous as him.
The
Role of NyunguYamawe
The name NyunguYamawe was a praise name
meaning “Pot of stones” Nyungu was a prince of the NyunguYembe ruling family
but failed in 1865 after the Arabs had beheaded the Chief Mnwasele.
After the Arabs had beheaded the chief of
Nyunguyamawe was terrified and ran away in 1865 and established himself at
Kiwele south from where they systematically attacked and defeated the people of
the regions.
His society was strategically located such
that he controlled all trading activities along the routes. From the East
African coast to Utipa, Tanganyika and other trading activities. This economic
progress contributed to his political development.
He conquered people and those who tried to
oppose him were punished severely and others sold off as slaves. Unlike Mirambo
‘s empire that collapsed immediately, Nyunguyamawe ‘s empire went on for many
years after his death mainly because of economic organization and efficient
political system he had created. Nyungu’s rulers took over the collection of
ivory from the conquered clients and sent it to him at Kiwele. He formed a
strong centralize administration with his own rulers (vatwale) placed over
conquered chiefdoms directly responsible for him.
The
role of Akamba
These lived in southern Kenya highlands.
Their ancestors lived here as hunters and shifting agriculture when they grew
rich, some Kamba communities bought slaves from the coast to do their farming.
The YaoThe role of YaoThe Yao were the most active East African slave traders.
This was mainly because of the growing demand for slaves at the coast and also
the nature of the Yao society.
It was the custom for ambitious Yao rulers to
increase their power not just by capturing territories but also by raiding
their neighbors for slaves who then became their personal followers.
The
role of Buganda
These lived in the central region of Uganda.
Their importance was significant in the commercial life of the region; they
traded in Bark cloth, ivory and slaves. They were friendly to Arabs who
supplied them with guns that they used to protect and expand their Kingdom.
The
role of Khartoumers
These were Egyptians and Sudanese traders
who dealt in ivory and slaves. They were semi-official representatives of the
Egyptian government with several hundred armed men in their pay. Banyoro, Buganda
and Bunyoro were enemies, kabakaMutesa I stopped slave traders from going to
Bunyoro. However, they dealt in backcloth, slaves and salt.
REASONS
FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE INDIAN OCEAN SLAVE TRADE
1.
The Oman Arabs who were ruling the East African coast at the time introduced
clove plantations in Zanzibar and Pemba. These plantations required
large numbers of labors to tend to them.
2.
There was also a high demand for slave labor for the French sugar plantations
in Mauritius and Reunion Island. Initially, the French
mostly depended on the area around present-day Mozambique for slaves, but by
the 1770s the demand exceeded supply. Hence, the French came further north, to
East Africa, in search of slaves.
3.
Slaves were needed as porters. They ferried goods such as
ivory and gold from interior of Africa to the Coast. This was important for the
ivory trade, especially to the American, Indian and British traders who took
part in it.
4.
Portuguese slave traders supplied slaves to the Portuguese coffee and sugar
plantations in Brazil. In the first half of the 18th century,
the Portuguese expanded their plantations. As a result, their sources of slaves
in West Africa and Mozambique became inadequate, so they came to East Africa.
5.
Slaves were in great demand as domestic workers and soldiers in the Muslims
nation Arabia. The Quran forbids Muslims from enslaving
other Muslims. Thus, the slaves had to come from non-Muslim regions such as the
interior of East Africa. There were major slave markets in Zanzibar, Bagamoyo,
Pemba, Kilwa, Mikindani and Mombasa.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SLAVE TRADE
There were the characteristics which
prevailed during slave trade.
1. There were several human torture and
transits.
2. Humiliation and dehumanization of the
slaves.
3. Slave were chained and forced to carry
heavy loads like salt, ivory and copper.
4. They were brutally whipped by their
organizers.
5. They were blended like animals. Those who
were unfit were killed or left to die on the way.
COMMODITIES
EXCHANGED
From interior to the coast –Ivory and
slaves, animal skins, minerals.
From the coast to the interior caravans
brought clothes, salts wine, glass ware beads and ornaments.
HOW
SLAVES WERE OBTAINED (TECHNIQUES USED TO OBTAIN SLAVES)
Slaves were obtained through various ways:
(i) Through raiding village and capturing
people.
(ii) Through selling prisoners of war
obtained from local civil wars.
(iii) Through selling criminals.
(iv) Through selling of domestic slaves.
(v) Through ways of laying and ambush.
(vi) Through use of trickery and false
pretense.
(vii) Through inter-tribal wars many
Africans become destitute.
IMPACTS
OF SLAVE TRADE IN INDIAN OCEAN SEA BOARD
SOCIAL
EFFECTS
(i) Depopulation; many people were taken to
work as slaves and others died on the way.
(ii) Insecurity and fear among the people.
(iii) Development of inter-states war.
(iv) Human torture and suffering
(v) Hunger due to lack of good in areas
where slave trade operated.
(vi) Growth of Arab towns such as Tabora and
Ujiji.
(vii) Eruption of diseases among overcrowded
slaves. E.g., The Spaniards introduced Syphilis.
(viii) Displacement of people and many
became homeless.
(ix)
Introduction of Swahili language, this was introduced in land
and is now being widely spoken in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and eastern Congo.
(x)
Introduction of Islamic religion, Islam as a religion was
introduced by the Arabs and it spread, especially in Yao land and in Buganda
land.
(i)
Killing of economic activities, agriculture, pastoralism
and industries were killed due to lack of manpower.
(ii)
Technology stagnation, no innovation was made as all
able-bodied people were taken as slaves only children and old ones were left
behind.
(iii)
Underdevelopment of East Africa, slave trade increased
dependence on European capitalist countries. Generally, slave trade had
negative effects in East Africa and it created many problems
(iv)
Introduction of new foods. E.g. maize, pawpaws, rice, and
groundnuts.
(v)
The increase of farming plantations, in some areas especially
the clove plantations were slaves worked.
THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SLAVERY ON ITS VICTIMS
(i) Damage of slave's self-worth.
(ii) Inferiority complex before their
masters.
(iii) Sufferings due to difficult work.
(iv) Separation of families and homes.
(v) Loneliness.
(vi) Stress due to unsure about their
future, survival and food.
(vii) Fear and Insecurity.
A
TRADE ROUTE: is a logistical network identified as a
series of pathways and stoppages used for the commercial transport of cargo.
MAP OF EAST AFRICA SHOWING TRADE ROUTES
2.
TRIANGULAR SLAVE TRADE
Refers to that type of
trade that involve three continents America, Africa and Europe.
The Atlantic slave trade
was divided into two eras, known as first
and second Atlantic system.
(a)
The first Atlantic system
This was the trade of
enslaved Africans primarily to South American colonies of the Portuguese and
Spanish empires; it accounted for only slightly more than 3% for all Atlantic
slave trade. It started (on a significant scale) in about 1502 and lasted until 1580,
when Portugal was temporarily united with Spain.
(b)
The second Atlantic system
This was the trade of
enslave Africans by mostly British, Portuguese, Brazilian, French and Dutch
traders.
The main destinations of
this phase were the Caribbean colonies, Brazil and Americas a number of
European countries built up economically slave dependent colonies in the New
World. Amongst the proponents of this system were Francis Drake and John Hawkins.
ORIGIN
OF TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
The Portuguese were the
first foreigners to capture slaves off the coast of West Africa. They built a
fort on Arguin Island (Mauritania)
where they bought gold and slaves from Gambia and Senegal. Most of these slaves
were taken to plantations in Portugal and Southern Spain. By 1471, the Portuguese expanded their
gold and slave trading activities to Ghana. In 1482, they built Elmina castle to serve as their base there.
COMMODITIES
OF EXCHANGE. The major commodities of exchange in the
triangular trade were;
AFRICA
–
Exported slaves, gold, ivories and animal skins.
AMERICA-
exported sugar, cotton, Tobacco, Gold and Silver.
EUROPE
–
Supplied manufactured goods such as clothes, gunpowder, glassware, sugar and
tobacco.
MAP
SHOWING TRIANGULAR SLAVE TRADE
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF
TRIANGULAR SLAVE TRADE
(i) The rise of capitalism,
this
mode of production depended on exploitation of one man by another. Capitalism
emerged in Europe after the decline of feudalism in Europe especially the first
stage of capitalism mercantilism where slaves became part of the commodities to
be traded to accumulate wealth.
(ii) Discovery of marine
technology, the invention of gunpowder, shipbuilding,
compass direction, and motor engine acted as a pushing force for the rise of
slave trade, it facilitated the transportation of the commodities and slave
dealers.
(iii) The discovery of the
new world, on 24 October 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered a
new world that opened a new chapter as far as slave trade was concerned it
brought high sky demand of cheap labor to work in the new plantations in the
Caribbean islands.
(iv) The profitability
factor, this acted as an attracting force for many mercantilists
to join a trade based on unequal exchange imagine exchanging human being with
spices, umbrella, gold, ivory with guns, mirrors and cloth.
(v) Accumulation of wealth,
Mercantilists accumulated a lot from this trade which enabled them to sustain
super profits obtained and in addition to that, many crops could not be sold
for profit, or even grown in Europe.
(vi) The expensiveness of
White slaves, Before the mid of 17th century
the European mercantilists depended on indentured labourers, criminal convicts,
contract labourers and refugees from Europe who proved to be expensive and
undependable compared to Africans who were not paid anything apart from their
basic needs for survival and were slaves for life.
(vii) The establishment of
plantations, after the discovery of the new world, many
Europeans flocked to America; these included the British, French, Portuguese
and the Dutch. Many of these immigrants established plantations that caused
more demand for slave labor. The increased demand contributed to the
development of Trans–Atlantic slave trade.
(viii) Accessibility, the
accessibility between the new world and the West African coast facilitated the
rise of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. The distance from West Africa to the
new world is very narrow thus it made it possible for the transportation of
goods between the two regions.
(ix) The inability of the
indigenous people, at first the Europeans were using Native
Americans, red Indians to provide cheap labor on the plantations and mining
centers; but these later died in huge numbers due to plague. This called for
the importation of African slaves which contributed to the rise of the
Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
(x) Climatic conditions of
the New World, meant that Africans could easily live there
since they were used to tropical climates and had immunity of tropical diseases
more than people from Europe and Asia. They were able to withstand diseases and
conditions of the New World.
(xi) The existence of
seasonal winds, like the northeast trade wind, north
equatorial current, the southwest and the Gulf streams encouraged the growth of
this trade by enabling the vessels of the merchants to sail to Africa, New
World and Europe.
IMPACT OF THE TRIANGULAR
SLAVE TRADE
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
(i) Removal of African
labor, the Trans-Atlantic slave trade was associated with the
uprooting of many Africans who were taken to provide cheap labor on European
plantations in America. The ones who were taken were between the ages of 15 and
35 who made up the productive force in Africa.
(ii) Stagnation of African
technology, the Trans-Atlantic slave trade contributed
to the stagnation of African technology. It led to the flooding of European
manufactured goods which were exchanged for slaves.
(iii) Decline of African
agricultural production, there was decline in agricultural
production due to the loss of labor. Those who were taken as slaves were the
ones who were very active in farms, thus their removal led to shortage of labor
consequently causing the decline in agricultural production.
(iv) Decline of African
traditional industries, due to these goods Africans abandoned
production and exchanged their fellow Africans with the Europeans goods. The
manufactured goods from Europe also destroyed African traditional industries by
killing the market for African local goods.
(v) Land alienation, Africans
were robbed of their best arable land and were turned into serfs and tenants
who had to sell off their labor to Arab landowners for their survival.
Watumbatu and Waamidu provided their labor in coconut and cloves plantations.
SOCIAL EFFECTS
(i) Depopulation, it
led to depopulation because millions of Africans were uprooted and exported to
America as cheap labor. It is believed that during the 400 years of slave
trade, around 100,000,000 Africans were taken as slaves.
(ii) Famine,
the Trans-Atlantic slave trade contributed to famine in Africa. The trade was
characterized with insecurity because of slave trading activities, the
insecurity made it difficult for people to engage in agricultural production.
(iii) Destruction of
African culture, the Trans-Atlantic slave trade was
associated with an influx of foreigners especially Europeans. This led to a
destruction of African traditional values because Africans were coping European
culture.
(iv) Separation of
families, some abandoned their homes due to insecurity, some died
while trying to escape and some were taken away as slaves.
POLITICAL EFFECTS
(i) Decline of states,
some states declined because they were weakened when their subjects were
captured and sold as slaves. For example, Wanyasa were greatly weakened by
frequent slave raids from their Yao neighbors.
(ii) The rise of states,
some strong states arose due to accumulation of wealth from slave trade. E.g.,
the Yao state under Machemba, Nyamwezi under Mirambo and Buganda kingdom under
KabakaMutesa.
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