Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Trade

At the Port of Dar es Salaam, a slave trading market was bustling with activity. A staff member handed over a group of native slaves to Mr. Abragg, a Zanzibar slave merchant. They exchanged pleasantries, but Abragg's subordinates promptly began chaining the natives. Another group of slaves was about to leave East Africa.

Abragg was a long-term partner in the East African colony, and his father held a position in the Sultanate of Zanzibar. The procession of slaves, under the watchful eyes of their overseers, made its way slowly towards the pier.

The Zanzibar traders used Swahili, a local language, to psychologically break the spirits of these indigenous people. Their goal was to eliminate any lingering hope in the hearts of these soon-to-be slaves, a standard procedure in the slave trade.

For many black Africans, becoming a slave was not as horrifying as one might expect. In their tribal societies, conquering and enslaving each other was a common practice. Winners often took the losers as slaves, or they themselves became slaves when captured by rival tribes. Slavery was an accepted part of their worldview, where the defeated became slaves.

Interestingly, some indigenous people found being slaves in the East African colonies preferable to their previous conditions. They might have worked hard every day, but they had stable daily meals and better treatment compared to their treatment within tribal societies. The East African colonialists' methods seemed like a blessing compared to the harsh treatment they had experienced within their tribes.

While the prospect of slavery itself did not necessarily terrify these indigenous people, the idea of being taken away on a ship did. They understood that once they boarded those large vessels, they might never return to their homeland again.

Experienced Zanzibar slave traders had developed effective strategies to dispel any thoughts of home among these prospective slaves. Such thoughts could lead to unrest and revolts once aboard the ships. The most convenient and efficient way to accomplish this was through whipping and verbal abuse, effectively diverting the slaves' attention.

The Zanzibar traders' approach was successful, as the slaves' focus shifted from longing for home to the immediate pain and suffering they were enduring. Furthermore, the slaves had been conditioned by their prior experiences in the East African colonies.

Abragg instructed his subordinates to separate the goods from the slaves and ensure the natives were placed in elevated positions on the ship to prevent them from getting wet. He emphasized the importance of preserving his uncle's goods.

In recent years, many slave traders had adopted the practice of mixing slaves with goods, transporting both to the Middle East for sale. The slave trade had become increasingly challenging due to international scrutiny, and slave traders had to adapt to these changing conditions.

Abragg, like other traders, was frustrated with the meddling of European countries, especially Britain and France, in the lucrative slave trade. He believed that these European nations, which had profited from slavery in the past, were now hypocritically advocating against it.

The Zanzibar traders, who had been influenced by Arab culture and had extensive interactions with the West, saw through the Europeans' moral posturing. They were well aware of the historical conflicts between the two cultures and did not trust the Europeans' intentions.

To adapt to the changing circumstances and avoid European scrutiny, slave traders began using ships initially intended for the illegal slave trade for the legal recruitment of workers. Slaves were presented as legally recruited laborers.

To evade detection by European authorities, many traders reduced the number of slaves on board to avoid overcrowding issues. However, they also utilized the freed space to transport other goods, a practice influenced by the East African colonies' trade methods.

The Zanzibar traders had diversified their channels for acquiring slaves. They bribed local nobles to secure their cooperation. In many colonies, the local aristocrats served as agents for European colonists, helping them rule and suppress the lower classes. These aristocrats prioritized their own interests over ethical concerns.

The bottom-level population in the colonies faced severe poverty, as they were exploited not only by local elites but also by European colonists. Desperate for survival, they were willing to accept any assistance, even if it meant selling themselves for just one or two meals.

In this context, morality and ethics often took a back seat to the basic need for sustenance. Zanzibar businessmen purchased individuals who had reached the brink of desperation, and the ultimate cost was borne by the East African colony, which paid the price for the goods purchased by the traders.