#olaudah

[tepeclect]

His 1789 autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, sold so well that nine editions were published during his life and helped secure passage of the British Slave Trade Act 1807, which abolished the slave trade in Britain.[3] The Interesting Narrative gained renewed popularity among scholars in the late 20th century and remains a useful primary source.

[africa-loverz]

Olaudah Equiano, whose father was an Ibo boss, was brought into the world in 1745 in what is currently Southern Nigeria. At 11 years old years, Olaudah was

Olaudah Equiano, whose father was an Ibo boss, was brought into the world in 1745 in what is currently Southern Nigeria. At 11 years old years, Olaudah was caught by African slave dealers and sold into servitude in the New World. Equiano, given the name Gustavus Vassa by one of his numerous proprietors, had to serve a few bosses, among them a Virginia estate proprietor, an English Maritime official, and a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania shipper. While a captive to the maritime official Equiano went between four landmasses. These worldwide encounters inside the Atlantic Slave Exchange permitted Equiano to deliver the most well-known and clear slave account of his period.

[mrmandalaman-blog]

..and I had a great curiosity to talk to the books, as I thought they did; and so to learn how all things had a beginning: for that purpose I have often taken up a book, and have talked to it, and then put my ears to it, when alone, in hopes it would answer me; and I have been very much concerned when I found it remained silent - Olaudah Equiano #coloureddrawing #abstract #mandala #discover #love #peace #instadaily #soul #meditation #nature #inspiration #blackhistory #motivation #olaudah #colouredmandala #zen #equiano #photo #photooftheday #penart #mandalapassion #dots #higherconsciousness #blackisbeautifull #pendrawing #dotwork #gold (at Oxford Brookes University)

[ndiigbo]

Olaudah Equiano. Igbo man. Former slave. Calvinist. Saved by grace.

[mod-wewerethere]

Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa c.1745-1797

Olaudah Equiano was born in a village in Nigeria. At the age of 11 he was abducted and sold into slavery. He was eventually sold to Michael Pascal, a British Naval Officer, who renamed him Gustavus Vassa. During the Seven Years’ War between Britain and France 1756 -1763, Equiano served as a powder carrier with the Royal Navy.

Pascal was fond of Equiano, and sent him to Britain for an education. Pascal then sold Equiano on to Captain James Doran, who transported him to Montserrat in the Caribbean. From there, Equiano was sold to Robert King, a Quaker merchant from Philadelphia.

Robert King gave Equiano work on his shipping routes and in his stores. When Equiano was about 20 years old, King promised him he could buy his freedom for his purchase price of forty pounds. King developed Equiano’s education, teaching him about religion and trading. He even let Equiano conduct business on his own. Equiano bought his freedom in 1776, in his early twenties, but King was keen for him to stay on as a business partner. However Equiano felt threatened in the British colonies; once while loading a ship in Georgia, he was very nearly abducted back into slavery.  

The landmark ruling in Somersett's Case of 1772 abolished slavery in England. Subsequently, Equiano returned to Britain where freedmen were, in law, no longer in danger of enslavement. He became significantly involved in the abolition of slavery. In 1789 he published his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, which was a pioneering personal account of slavery. His writing surprised many with its quality. Its descriptions of suffering persuaded many to join the abolitionist cause and to add force to Britain’s growing anti-slavery movement. Equiano’s autobiography was not only a milestone in English literary works, but it also gave him independence in the form of a solid and substantial income. He was able to travel throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland promoting his book. He used his newfound wealth to support economic, social and educational development in Sierra Leone.

Equiano also supported London’s Poor Black community. Through his widely read autobiography and his prominent connections, he was a well-known figure in political spheres. This made him well placed to act as a leader for minorities, often acting as a voice for his people. Equiano used his position, ensuring his comments and opinions were frequently published in the Public Advertiser and the Morning Chronicle.

 Equiano died on 31 March 1797.

[africanfashion]

Equiano’s story is unique in its inclusion of vivid descriptions of African culture and society before the wrenching onslaught of the white man and the slave trade. At the same time, Equiano does not blind himself to the corruption of those of his countrymen who were lured by the promise of riches from the trafficking in slaves. It is important to emphasize here, underscoring what was already been expressed in the opening quote above, that slavery in Africa before the advent of the slave trade, was altogether more benign than its non-native form. In fact, among certain ethnic groups in African society, there is no distinction between the words ‘prisoner’ and 'slave’, a fact that goes far in articulating the sheer punitive value embodied by slavery in Africa where it was an integral part of the economic and justice systems. Slaves were often prisoners of war or individuals who had committed crimes like adultery; by consistent good conduct in their masters’ households, they could rise through the ranks to become leaders or marry their masters’ daughers. In total opposition to this native form of slavery was the white man’s complete subjugation and isolation of the African slave on the basis of race alone.

The Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. (page 4/5)

[africanfashion]

I have no hesitation in saying that three-fourths of the slaves sent abroad from Africa are the fruit of wars fomented by the avarice of our own race. We stimulate the negro's passions by the introduction of wants and fancies never dreamed of by the simple native, while slavery [in Africa] was an institution of domestic need and custom alone. But what was once a luxury has no ripened into an absolute necessity; so that man, in truth has become the coin of Africa.

Captain Theodore Canot, Adventures of an African Slaver (1854)

[smutime]

When you make men slaves, you deprive them of half their virtue, you set them, in your own conduct, an example of fraud, rapine, and cruelty, and compel them to live with you in a state of war; and yet you complain that they are not honest or faithful!

Olaudah Equiano