Summary Of Olaundah Equiano

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The Olaundah Equiano narrative is a view of servitude from a former captive himself. He begins his story in Africa from the land of Esska, his native homeland. He describes his tribe and all the many traditions they practiced as a way of living. Equiano was not originally born into servitude but a free male, son of a chief. Equiano’s life in Africa was common among the many members of his tribe. He was strongly attached to his mother and clenched to her as much as possible. His father obtained many slaves himself, but treated them like an equal part of the family. Equiano lived a common life in African society, until one day his destiny took an unexpected turn for the worst and life would never be the same. At the tender age of 11 Olaundah …show more content…

He finally settled with a family who made brought him close to the happiness his biological family gave, but to only be torn away. He describes the horror and the torture not able to his see the world that he loved so dearly anymore. Saying farewell to the people who spoke his language, looked like him, and obtained many of the same traditions as his tribe. Equiano was now embarking on a brand new adventure. Being used to the slavery of his own world made his life somewhat bearable; being shipped off to another existence, seeing many unfamiliar faces, is a different story. He came upon a river, a body of water that was new to him. Into a canoe he went being shipped off. He describes the raw emotions he felt being so young going through such terrifying events. He was so unsure what was the change. All he knew is that the people were foreign and life would never be the way it …show more content…

Servitude is a usual part of African ritual. Tribes would often use trade to obtain slaves by going to the head chief and trading for livestock. Not only did various tribes trade with the people of their countries, but with the Europeans of other nationalities as well. There were times that tribes would go to war and keep chiefs and prisoners of war were kept as slaves, to trade with European countries. Many times slaves were sold due to being punished, or to rape and other various crimes. Some were also forced into life of captivity. It was common for young individuals to be kidnapped and taken to a home of a common family to work and serve them. Many owners would treat their slaves fairly. The masters would own a piece of property and have an apartment for their own personal family along with a home for the enslaved family. Equiano talks about how many slaves owned their own slaves in some cases. If a family was wealthy enough, they would accommodate their property, meaning the slaves. They were a part of the owner’s family and were as brutally treated comparing to slaves of the Colonial

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