The whole piece is super interesting, and the conclusion is understandable, but maybe not necessarily connected to 'comfort'. Some facts have been suppressed, and some have been omitted and replaced with propagandistic falsehoods. The true history of slavery, and the history of countering slavery, cannot be written enough about.
I have lived most of my life 'knowing' that Sweden abolished slavery by law in the 1300s, and only recently learnt that this was mostly for economic reasons. If you need seasonal workers, why should you feed them all year around. Some understanding of Christianity was also important. Swedish law only covered people living in Sweden of course. The last Swedish African slaves were freed in the 1800s.
I got "hung up" on the beadwork. So much beauty and skill! You worked hard on this, Yaw. I'll enjoy reading and rereading it. Don't see anything about the Efik or Obibio, however. I lived in that area near the Cross River.
Great article, as always! Small typo, I think you meant "After Benin banned selling slaves, Portugal found willing African partners" instead of "After Benin banned selling slaves, Benin found willing African partners:"
Let me know you think of the comfortable and uncomfortable truths column in the conclusion!
The whole piece is super interesting, and the conclusion is understandable, but maybe not necessarily connected to 'comfort'. Some facts have been suppressed, and some have been omitted and replaced with propagandistic falsehoods. The true history of slavery, and the history of countering slavery, cannot be written enough about.
I have lived most of my life 'knowing' that Sweden abolished slavery by law in the 1300s, and only recently learnt that this was mostly for economic reasons. If you need seasonal workers, why should you feed them all year around. Some understanding of Christianity was also important. Swedish law only covered people living in Sweden of course. The last Swedish African slaves were freed in the 1800s.
I got "hung up" on the beadwork. So much beauty and skill! You worked hard on this, Yaw. I'll enjoy reading and rereading it. Don't see anything about the Efik or Obibio, however. I lived in that area near the Cross River.
Both of them will be in the next piece!
Fascinating history, love learning about it!
Great article, as always! Small typo, I think you meant "After Benin banned selling slaves, Portugal found willing African partners" instead of "After Benin banned selling slaves, Benin found willing African partners:"
Changed it!
Very impressed with the speed of execution 🫡
I think this is another typo:
"he rose slave prices without warning" - Should be :
"he raised slave prices without warning"
Ah great catch! Changing now!
Nice Piece!
Why didn't Benin convert to Christianity? I looked at Wiki, and it is mostly Christian now?
Good question! Conversion to christianity didnt take place until colonialism after 1890s.