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Who were the major players in the slave trade in Africa and what was their impact on the continent's history?

Sheryll Luparto

The major players that were involved in the slave trade in Africa were numerous and widespread across the continent. The slave trade involved a complex web of networks and individuals that took advantage of longstanding conflicts and tensions between African ethnic groups. It was not simply one group that was responsible for the trade, but rather a vast array of actors who contributed to the trade in various ways.

In West Africa, the major players in the slave trade included powerful kingdoms such as the Ashanti and Dahomey. These kingdoms were able to take advantage of their military prowess and ability to command large armies to seize captives in battles or conquests, which they then sold to European traders. The kingdom of Dahomey was particularly involved in the slave trade, with its ruler, King Gezo, reportedly saying, "The slave trade is the ruling principle of my people. It is the source and the glory of their wealth. The mother-lode from which they draw their fortunes."

On the East coast, Arab traders and slave raiders were also major players in the trade. Swahili city-states such as Zanzibar provided a hub for the trade where merchants would exchange ivory, gold, and slaves for goods from the Middle East and India. The Arab slave trade had been established for centuries prior to the arrival of Europeans, but it intensified with the arrival of Portuguese and other European traders who provided a new market for slaves.

The impact of the slave trade on the continent's history was devastating. It led to the depopulation of many areas of Africa, as millions of men, women, and children were forcibly removed from their homes and sold into slavery. This not only had a profound effect on the individuals who were captured and sold, but also on their families and communities. The slave trade also contributed to the spread of disease and the breakdown of African societies.

Furthermore, the slave trade led to the commodification of human beings and the dehumanization of those who were enslaved. The notion of African people as "inferior" or "uncivilized" was used to justify their enslavement and mistreatment. This idea continued to shape attitudes towards Africa and its people even after the end of the slave trade.

In conclusion, the major players in the slave trade in Africa included a wide range of individuals and groups, including African kingdoms, Arab traders, and European merchants. Their impact on the continent's history was profound and devastating, resulting in the forced removal of millions of people, the spread of disease, and the commodification and dehumanization of African people. The legacy of the slave trade continues to be felt today, with many African societies still grappling with the repercussions of this dark chapter in their history.