The Return of the Two Princes of Calabar

962 Words2 Pages

Slavery was not a new concept to African, as it was practiced prior to the slave trade. In African, slavery had a totally different outlook from that of slavery in the Caribbean and the Americas. The reasons of enslavement varied in Africa. Some persons sold themselves into slavery, while others were captured during wars or children whom their parents were unable to provide for. Another way Africans became slaves were if individuals were unable to pay fines that were imposed upon them (Sparks, 37). The Slave traders in African and the English slavers had a business relationship that was governed by the Parliament in London. Although, the trade was governed by the Parliament, both slaver traders and English slavers conducted trade in a way that was feasible for them (Spark, 18, 31). When the rivalry between Old Town and New Town arose, the English slavers did what was necessary for the business to go on as usual (Sparks, 18-19). The English slavers ambushed the slave traders of Old Town, capturing and enslaving Ephraim and Ancona (Spark, 21). These two African traders, Ephraim and Ancona, when returned back to Africa continued with life as usual, as slave traders. Although, exposed to a life contrary to what they were used to slave trading was their culture, the most profitable business during that time and a definite way of revenge.
Persons that were enslaved, in African, were able to return to the life as a slave trader once they were released from slavery. With this being the way of life for Africans in their culture, no matter what hardship was experienced that characterized slavery in the Caribbean and the Americas one could have returned to a life as a trader. Slavery in the Americans and the Caribbean called ...

... middle of paper ...

...rade. The arms that were used to ambush and hold the English captains as hostage for prices of slaves to paid, were obtained through the slave trade. The Slave traders’ exposure to English culture and style lead to further development, such as the trader being able to communicate using the English and dressing English. Also, being a trader puts the men both, at a lesser chance of becoming victims of slavery in the New World again. Therefore, these men reentry into the slave trade was a choice that was fostered by the culture, lucrative profits and revenge on the persons responsible for their exportation into the trade.

References
Sparks, Randy L. The Two Princes of Calabar: An Eighteenth - Century Atlantic Odyssey.
Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2004.
Ulentin, Dr. Anne. “The Triangular Slave Trade.” Lecture, From Class, Nassau, NP, January 1, 2014.

More about The Return of the Two Princes of Calabar

Open Document