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Olaudah
Equiano Olaudah Equiano's account of his arrival in the West Indies in 1756
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As
the vessel drew nearer, we plainly saw the harbor and other ships of different
kinds and sizes and we soon anchored amongst them off Bridgetown. Many merchants
and planters came on board...They put us in separate parcels and examined us
attentively. They also made us jump, and pointed to the land, signifying we were
to go there. We thought by this we should be eaten by these ugly men, as they
appeared to us. When soon after we were all put down under the deck again, there
was much dread and trembling among us and nothing but bitter cries to be heard
all the night from the apprehensions. At last the white people got some old
slaves from the land to pacify us. They told us we were not to be eaten, but to
work, and were soon to go on land, where we should see many of our country
people. This report eased us much, and sure enough, soon after we landed, there
came to us Africans of all languages.
We
were conducted immediately to the merchant's yard, where we were all pent up
together, like so many sheep in a fold, without regard to sex or age. As every
object was new to me, everything I saw filled me with surprise. What struck me
first was that the houses were built with bricks and stories, and in every
respect different from those I had seen in Africa, but I was still more
astonished to see people on horseback. I did not know what this could mean, and
indeed I thought these people were full of nothing but magical arts. While I was
in this astonishment, one of my fellow prisoners spoke to a countryman of his
about the horses who said they were the same kind they had in their country. I
understood them, though they were from a distant part of Africa and I thought it
odd I had not seen any horses there; but afterwards when I came to converse with
different Africans, I found they had many horses amongst them, and much larger
than those I then saw.
We
were not many days in the merchant's custody, before we were sold after their
usual manner...On a signal given, (as the beat of a drum), buyers rush at once
into the yard where the slaves are confined, and make a choice of that parcel
they like best. The noise and clamor with which this is attended, and the
eagerness visible in the countenances of the buyers, serve not a little to
increase the apprehension of terrified Africans...In this manner, without
scruple, are relations and friends separated, most of them never to see each
other again. I remember in the vessel in which I was brought over...there were
several brothers who, in the sale, were sold in different lots; and it was very
moving on this occasion, to see and hear their cries in parting.
Source: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African (London, 1789).
"Slavery... I didn't know about all these forms that existed. I think it's largely because we aren't expecting it. It is hidden. Generally people would not believe that it is possible under modern conditions. They would say 'No, I think you are making it all up', because it's just too incredible..." (Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Hull, UK, 1999) |
Contact me: Peter Garwood