History of the captives in the steerage of a trading ship from Nantes modeled in 3D

Summary

The Marice Rafiq was a French slave ship that transported over 1,300 Africans from the Congo River region to Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) between 1769 and 1774. Its voyages reveal the harrowing experiences of captives who endured appalling conditions during the transatlantic crossing. Locked below deck, men, women, and children were separated and tightly packed, facing significant mortality rates. Upon arrival, surviving Africans were sold into slavery, often spending the rest of their lives on plantations. This ship represents just a fraction of the estimated 12.5 million Africans forcibly taken to the Americas, highlighting the brutal realities of the slave trade.

Takeaways

• 🚢 The Marice Rafiq was a French slave ship that transported over 1,300 people from Africa between 1769 and 1774.
• 🏴‍☠️ The ship's voyages were organized in Nantes, the largest French slave trading port, targeting the Congo River region and Saint-Domingue (now Haiti).
• 🖼️ Illustrations from three voyages provide insights into the experiences of the ship's African captives.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Captives were marched to a trading post in Lowango, where they were sold to the captain before boarding the ship.
• ⏳ The Marice Rafiq spent between two to six months in Lowango, forcibly embarking about 330 captives.
• ⛴️ On average, African captives endured 15 weeks on the ship, with a 10-week transatlantic crossing.
• 🔒 Captives were locked below deck, with men separated from women and children by a wooden barrier called a barricado.
• 😷 Conditions below deck were horrendous, with captives tightly packed in unsanitary spaces, often chained at the ankle.
• 🍚 Twice daily, captives received minimal food, such as beans or rice, which was distributed in groups of ten.
• 💔 The ship reached Saint-Domingue with a mortality rate below the average; those who survived were sold and spent their lives on plantations.
• 🌍 The Marice Rafiq's voyages reflect a broader historical context, with an estimated 12.5 million people transported to the Americas, 1.8 million of whom died at sea.

Q & A

What was the Marice Rafiq?

The Marice Rafiq was a French slave ship that carried over 1,300 people from Africa between 1769 and 1774.

Where did the Marice Rafiq's voyages originate?

Its voyages were organized in Nott, the largest French slave trading port, taking captives from the Congo River region to Saint-Domingue, now known as Haiti.

How many voyages did the Marice Rafiq undertake?

The Marice Rafiq undertook four voyages during its operation.

What conditions did African captives face on the Marice Rafiq?

Captives endured appallingly cramped conditions below deck, where they were tightly packed, often lying on their sides, and most were chained at the ankle to deter resistance.

How long did the average transatlantic crossing take for captives on the Marice Rafiq?

The average transatlantic crossing took about 10 weeks.

What was the purpose of the wooden barricado on the ship?

The barricado was used to separate men from women and children, hoping to limit communication and resistance among the captives.

What kind of food was provided to the captives during the voyage?

Captives were fed beans or rice, which were cooked and passed through the barricade door to groups of 10 people.

What happened to the African captives after reaching Saint-Domingue?

Africans who survived the voyage were sold from the ship to colonists, who selected individuals presented on the main deck.

How many people were estimated to have experienced the Middle Passage?

An estimated 12.5 million people experienced the Middle Passage, with about 1.8 million dying at sea.

What insights can be gained from the illustrations made by the ship's officers?

Although the illustrations were made by the ship's officers, they provide important insights into the experiences of the Marice Rafiq's African captives.