The Atlantic Slave Trade from West Central Africa, 1780-1867 (Cambridge Studies on the African Diaspora)

The Atlantic Slave Trade from West Central Africa, 1780-1867, traces the inland origins of slaves leaving West Central Africa at the peak period of the transatlantic slave trade. Drawing on archival sources from Angola, Brazil, England, and Portugal, Daniel B. Domingues da Silva explores not only the origins of the slaves forced into the trade but also the commodities for which they were exchanged and their methods of enslavement. Further, the book examines the evolution of the trade over time, its organization, the demographic profile of the population transported, the enslavers' motivations to participate in this activity, and the Africans' experience of enslavement and transportation across the Atlantic. Domingues da Silva also offers a detailed 'geography of enslavement', including information on the homelands of the enslaved Africans and their destination in the Americas. The Atlantic Slave Trade From West Central Africa Traces For The First Time The Origins Of Slaves Leaving West Central Africa At The Peak Period Of The Transatlantic Slave Trade. West Central Africa Was One Of The Principal Sources Of Slaves For The Americas. During The Nineteenth Century, The Importance Of The Region As A Supplier Of Slaves Increased As A Result Of The Suppression Of The Trade North Of The Equator. Although Some Nations Retreated From The Business Early In That Century, Others Remained Active, Expanding Their Activities Along The Coast Of West Central Africa. Some Scholars Of The Slave Trade Claim That A Quest For Political Power Motivated Africans To Sell One Another Into The Transatlantic Commerce As Prisoners Of War. They Argue That The Expansion Of The Slave Trade From West Central Africa In The Nineteenth Century Increased The Incidence Of Warfare In The Region, Which In Turn Spread The Enslaving Frontiers Further Into The Region's Interior. However, As This Book Demonstrates, The Rate Of Slaves Leaving From West Central Africa Remained Relatively Constant From The Lat Eighteenth Until The Mid-nineteenth Century, With Slaves Originating From Places Much Closer To The Coast Than Previously Thought. Moreover, The Book Shows That Cultural And Economic Motivations Were Also Important Factors Shaping The Participation Of Africans In The Slave Trade. More Africans Engaged In This Activity Than A Handful Of Rulers And Warlords, But Their Participation Depended Significantly On The Ability Of Merchants In Europe And The Americas To Deliver The Goods Required For Exchanging For Slaves.--abstract. The Atlantic Slave Trade In The Century Of Abolition -- The Commercial Organization Of The Slave Trade -- The Origins Of Slaves Leaving West Central Africa -- The Demographic Profile Of The Enslaved Population -- African Patterns Of Consumption -- Experiences And Methods Of Enslavement -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. Slave Origins Data -- Appendix B. Slave Prices Data -- Appendix C. Exchange Commodities Data. Daniel B. Domingues Da Silva. Based On The Author's Thesis (doctoral)--emory University, Atlanta, 2011, Titled: Crossroads : Slave Frontiers Of Angola, C.1780-1867. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book traces the origins of Africans forced into the Atlantic from West Central Africa during the peak period of the transatlantic slave trade. Richly adorned with tables, figures, and vivid quotations, it will appeal to scholars of Africa and the African Diaspora, graduate students, and genealogists. This book traces the inland origins of slaves leaving West Central Africa at the peak period of the transatlantic slave trade