Research Catalog

Title

Slavery in the history of Muslim Black Africa / Humphrey J. Fisher.

Author

Fisher, Humphrey J.

Publication

New York : New York University Press, c2001.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xxi, 410 p. : ill., maps; 23 cm.

Summary

"The institution of slavery was central to trade and societal development within the African Muslim world for centuries. In certain locations it is still, in fact, in practice. What are the origins of slavery in Muslim Africa, and how widespread is it? How does slavery as practiced in this region differ from Western chattel slavery?" "These and other issues are explored in Fisher's investgation into how Africans' enslavement by Berbers, Arabs, and other Africans became institutionalized and legitimized throughout Muslim Africa. Attending to the religious, social, and economic contexts of the rise and establishment of slavery within this region, the author illuminates the complex dynamics shaping slavery from the tenth to the nineteenth century. He explains that while free Muslims could not legally be enslaved, these laws were rarely enforced; we read of cases in which slaves developed strong ties of loyalty and affection for their owners, as well as others in which slaves were determined to break free from bondage, or perish in the attempt." "Fisher's account explains how slaves came to serve as currency, goods, eunuchs, soldiers, and in some cases as statesmen."--Jacket.

Subject

• Slavery > Africa > History
• Slavery and Islam > Africa > History

Genre/Form

History

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Population mobility 1 -- The Islamic factor 14 -- The enslavement of Muslims 18 -- Chapters II. The Size of the Slave Population 33 -- Chapters III. Slave Status and Religion 40 -- Pagan slaving 40 -- Jihad and slave-raiding 46 -- Slave and free status 54 -- The contribution of slaves to religious activity 59 -- Religious conversion and commitment 64 -- Emancipation 70 -- The return of the slaves 83 -- Chapters IV. Exports and Marketing 98 -- Slave exports and their relation to the home market 98 -- The arms trade 111 -- Selection of export models 115 -- Slaves on the march 122 -- Chapters V. The Domestic Scene, I: General Treatment 138 -- General treatment 138 -- Slave revolts 152 -- Runaway slaves 158 -- Chapters VI. The Domestic Scene, II: Slaves in the Family 177 -- Domestic demand for slaves 177 -- Concubines 177 -- Cooks and cooking 202 -- Chapters VII. The Domestic Scene, III: Slaves at Work 208 -- Free and slave labour 208 -- Agricultural workers 211 -- Artisans 218 -- Caravan workers 222 -- Luxury slaves 231 -- Chapters VIII. The Domestic Scene, IV: Slaves and the State 238 -- Colonists 238 -- Soldiers 242 -- Royal and other government slaves 256 -- Eunuchs 280 -- Chapters IX. The Domestic Scene, V: Slaves as a Means of Exchange 295 -- Tribute 295 -- Alms and presents 307 -- Slaves as currency 316 -- Chapters X. The Slave Market in Kuka 322 -- Chapters XI. Conclusion: Anti-Slavery Measures 332 -- Appendix A. Outline Chronology of Nachtigal's Travels 344 -- Appendix B.

ISBN

• 0814727158 (cloth)
• 0814727166 (pbk.)

LCCN

^^^00040219^

OCLC

• 44075959
• SCSB-10122200

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library