Arabs and Africans
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Arabian and African societies were involved in slave trading in Africa before Europeans. Arab merchants conducted a significant portion of the trans-Saharan slave trade, while African kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Benin and the Kingdom of Dahomey participated in capturing and selling slaves.
Slavery in pre-colonial Africa was diverse and varied across different regions. In some societies, slaves were assimilated into the community and could rise to positions of power, while in others they were used for manual labor. Slavery was often a result of warfare, debt, or punishment, and slaves could be traded both within Africa and with neighboring regions.
Slavery in Africa before European involvement was less racially based and more tied to social, economic, and political factors. It was often a way to integrate outsiders into societies, settle debts, or as a form of punishment. It had a more fluid nature, with slaves sometimes able to rise in status or be freed.
West African slavery was a prevalent practice that existed long before the arrival of Europeans in the region. Slavery in West Africa was often different from the transatlantic slave trade, as slaves were not solely used for labor but also held various social and economic roles. The transatlantic slave trade significantly intensified and expanded the scale of slavery in West Africa, leading to profound social, economic, and cultural consequences.
"Africans" refer to people who are native to the continent of Africa. "African-Americans" are descendants of Africans who were captured and brought to America as slaves. "European Africans" could refer to white people who were born or live in Africa, but are of European descent.
Slavery existed in Africa before Europeans arrived, with various indigenous societies practicing forms of servitude or slavery. The transatlantic slave trade, which involved the mass forced migration of Africans to the Americas, was initiated and perpetuated by European nations beginning in the 15th century.