The Era Of Slavery

The history of Africa is stained with the devastating accounts of continent-wide slavery. It was only in Africa, as historians would remark, that millions of people were forced to go from one place to another to be slaves. True, Africans became slaves in their own countries, and this went for a long time. It is estimated that the forced labor began in 18th century and ended in the 19th century. But, the story behind it will be forever remembered.

It is safe to say that slavery began in Africa long before the European settlers came. The people of Iran were the pioneers of such practice. Passive and ignorant of the trade, the Africans were easily duped by the Persians. Since then, the occasional help in carrying the loads extended to them by Africans was turned into Persian domination, and worse, business.

Slaves range from household maids to sex slaves. Women were highly affected, while men died fighting to break free from slavery. Ivory was the driving force for Persians to turn Africans into slaves. Since the natives know the land, they were used to hunt elephants, and against their will, they were made to kill the animals for ivory. This lasted for almost a century, and only until the great British empire passed a law that eradicates slavery of children and women. I wonder if the prominent Salvation Army influenced this law. The able-bodied Africans were made to cultivate the lands they used to work on to, but this time, they had no masters. The process of healing took a long time, and I guess, the pain remains even these days.