Slavery and the slave trade

Slavery and the slave trade

Slavery has existed for at least 6,000 years. It was a common practice in many societies on all continents. In domestic slavery, the slave is used as a servant or concubine, in “commercial” slavery, the slave becomes a means of production, creating wealth for others. These two forms of slavery can be practiced simultaneously within the same society.

The slave trade involved the abduction and trade of Africans, who were then deported to locations where these men, women and children were enslaved.

Three Types of Slave Trade

African Domestic Trafficking

Fueled by raids and wars between States, this has always provided servants, porters and farm workers. It is impossible to estimate the number of victims without documented sources, but it certainly includes tens of millions of people.

The Muslim Slave Trade

from the 7th to the 20th century: Eastern slave trade towards the Arab Peninsula and trans-Saharan trade towards North Africa and the Middle East. There were 8 to 12 million victims.

The Atlantic Trade

organized by Europeans from the 16th to the 19th century, towards the West Indies, the Americas and the islands of the Indian Ocean. There were more than 12 million victims.