The Slave Trade You've Never Heard Of | Arab Slave Trade

Summary

The video explores the historical Arab Slave Trade, which lasted for over a millennium, from the early days of Islam until the 20th century. It details how Arabs played a central role in the enslavement of Africans, especially through the Zanj Coast and the trans-Saharan trade routes. Despite the Qur’an's regulations on slavery, the practice was widely accepted, with distinctions based on ethnicity. The video highlights the brutal conditions of slavery, the various ethnic groups involved, and the eventual decline of the trade in the 19th and 20th centuries. The legacy of the Arab Slave Trade is a complex and often overlooked chapter in African history.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1842, the British Consul General in Morocco asked the Sultan about measures to stop slavery, but the Sultan refused, citing that slavery had been practiced since the time of Adam and was allowed by the Qur'an.
• 😀 The 'Arab Slave Trade' was not limited to East Africa; Arabs played a major role in the trade, though it involved other ethnicities and regions.
• 😀 Slavery existed in the Islamic world from its early days, with regulations developed by the caliphs, but it did not abolish slavery.
• 😀 Slaves could be born into slavery, captured in Jihad, purchased, or given as tribute under Islamic rule.
• 😀 The term 'Mamluk' referred to white slaves who had more opportunities, such as becoming soldiers or rulers, whereas 'Abd' referred to black slaves who had fewer opportunities.
• 😀 Even though Islam prohibited enslaving fellow Muslims, black Muslims were still enslaved, and slavery was often practiced against non-Muslims.
• 😀 Slavery in the Islamic world was primarily driven by raids, often labeled as Jihad, where prisoners were captured and sold across the Islamic Empire.
• 😀 The Swahili coast became a central hub for the slave trade, facilitating the transport of slaves across the Indian Ocean to the Persian Gulf and beyond.
• 😀 Despite the abolition of slavery in European countries by the mid-19th century, the slave trade continued in Muslim regions, with some countries, like Saudi Arabia, only outlawing slavery in the 1960s.
• 😀 Between 600CE and 1900CE, approximately 17 million African slaves were traded by Muslims, with the Islamic slave trade lasting a much longer period than the European slave trade.
• 😀 The video is part of a broader collaboration between YouTube History channels to explore Africa's history, with further videos planned on related topics.

Q & A

Why did the Sultan of Morocco refuse to end slavery despite the British Consul's request?

The Sultan of Morocco refused to take action against slavery because he believed it was a long-established practice dating back to the time of Adam, and since no sects of Islam forbade it, he felt it was in line with Islamic teachings. He argued that he could not make unlawful anything that the Qur'an had allowed.

Why is the term 'Arab Slave Trade' preferred over 'East African Slave Trade' in the context of the trans-Saharan slavery system?

The term 'Arab Slave Trade' is preferred because Arabs played a central role in the slave trade network, both as raiders and as rulers overseeing slave markets. While East Africa was involved, the trade spanned beyond the East African coast to include other regions of the Islamic world.

What were the four primary ways in which individuals could become slaves under Islamic rule?

There were four primary ways a person could become a slave under Islamic rule: 1) being born to slave parents, 2) being captured in a jihad against non-Muslims, 3) being purchased, and 4) being given as a tribute.

How did the treatment of white slaves ('Mamluks') differ from black slaves ('Abd') in the Islamic world?

White slaves, called 'Mamluks', had more opportunities to rise to higher positions, including military and political roles, and some even established dynasties. In contrast, black slaves, called 'Abd', were typically relegated to lower social positions and had fewer opportunities to gain freedom or status.

Did the practice of slavery under Islam affect all ethnicities equally?

No, slavery affected various ethnicities, but there were distinctions. Arabs preferred certain ethnic groups for specific roles. For example, Turks and Slavs were valued as soldiers, Indians and Nubians as guards, and Zanj (East Africans) as laborers. Black Africans were often seen in a more negative light compared to other slaves.

Why were black slaves disproportionately targeted in Africa during the Islamic slave trade?

Black Africans were disproportionately enslaved due to the stabilization of Islamic frontiers and the increasing conversion of non-black ethnic groups to Islam, such as Turks and Indians, who were less likely to be enslaved. The demand for African slaves continued as Jihad raids and tribal conflicts provided a steady supply of captives.

How did the Swahili Coast play a role in the Arab slave trade?

The Swahili Coast became a major hub for the Arab slave trade. Slaves were captured or traded from the interior of Africa, brought to coastal cities, and then transported to destinations in the Arabian Peninsula, the Persian Gulf, and beyond. It was a key part of the Indian Ocean trade network.

What was the significance of Mecca in the context of the Arab slave trade?

Mecca, as the holiest city in Islam and a major gathering place during the Hajj pilgrimage, became a bustling market for slaves. Pilgrims and traders brought slaves to sell in the city, where they were treated as commodities. The slave trade in Mecca persisted until as late as 1962.

How did the Islamic slave trade compare to the European transatlantic slave trade in terms of duration and scale?

The Islamic slave trade lasted much longer than the European transatlantic trade. While the European transatlantic slave trade peaked between the 15th and 19th centuries, the Islamic slave trade operated from around the 7th century to the 20th century, with estimates of 17 million African slaves being traded from 600CE to 1900CE, compared to 12 million Africans taken to the Americas.

What role did the Ottoman Empire play in the continued practice of slavery in the Muslim world?

The Ottoman Empire was deeply involved in the trade and practice of slavery. Many Muslim African states, including Bornu, entered into agreements with the Ottomans to supply slaves. The Ottomans were also a key destination for slaves, and their demand contributed to the persistence of the trade into the 19th century.

How did the British attempt to end the Muslim slave trade, and why was it unsuccessful?

The British attempted to end the Muslim slave trade by pressuring Muslim rulers to abolish slavery. However, their efforts were largely unsuccessful due to the entrenched economic and political benefits of slavery for Muslim states. The practice continued, particularly in Africa, even after European abolitionist movements gained traction.