Slavery and Slaving in African History

Sean Stilwell

doi:10.1017/CBO9781139034999

This book is a comprehensive history of slavery in Africa from the earliest times to the end of the twentieth century, when slavery in most parts of the continent ceased to exist. It connects the emergence and consolidation of slavery to specific historical forces both internal and external to the African continent. Sean Stilwell pays special attention to the development of settled agriculture, the invention of kinship, 'big men' and centralized states, the role of African economic production and exchange, the interaction of local structures of dependence with the external slave trades (transatlantic, trans-Saharan, Indian Ocean), and the impact of colonialism on slavery in the twentieth century. He also provides an introduction to the central debates that have shaped current understanding of slavery in Africa. The book examines different forms of slavery that developed over time in Africa and introduces readers to the lives, work, and struggles of slaves themselves.

'Sean Stilwell presents us with a powerful entry into the rich debate on the nature and history of slavery and slaving in Africa. His book represents both a valuable point of entry for any scholar moving into this field and a superb synthesis of recent research across the continent for those of us trying to keep up. Stilwell also manages to stake out positions in key debates that respond to recent scholarship, like that from Joe Miller, while inviting new avenues of deliberation. This volume thus serves as a monograph, a historiography, and an excellent teaching text all in one book.'

Trevor R. Getz - Professor of History, San Francisco State University

'A refreshing reexamination of the place of slavery in the history of Africa, Slavery and Slaving in African History surveys the role of slaves in the economies and societies of Africa throughout history, thereby establishing context for an understanding of the deportation of slaves across the Atlantic, the Sahara, and the Indian Ocean and of the use of slaves in Africa itself.'

Paul E. Lovejoy - FRSC Distinguished Research Professor, Canada Research Chair in African Diaspora History, York University

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Slavery and Slaving in African History

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

Contents
pp vii-vii

Figures
pp viii-viii

Preface
pp ix-xvi

1 - Defining Slavery, Defining Freedom
pp 1-28

2 - Slavery in African History
pp 29-59

3 - Slavery without States
pp 60-88

4 - Slavery and African States
pp 89-123

5 - Slavery and African Economies
pp 124-175

6 - The End of Slavery in Africa
pp 176-214

Conclusion
pp 215-216

Index
pp 217-223

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Slavery and Slaving in African History

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