Africa's Slaves Today

The continuing custom of human slavery in its various forms is the subject of this fascinating, exhaustive study. In Africa, slavery began earlier and has last longer than in Europe and the Americas. In many African regions, it began to disappear until the 1950's; in others, it continues to exist to this day. This modern slavery does not involve the forced overland marches, the long sea journeys, of previous eras. It is a residue of the traditional slavery existing for centuries independently of outside slave-trading, and it takes the form of a particular social order rather than of systematic exploitation of one group by another. It is not something that can be abolished by a few laws; indeed, the distinction between slave and free is sometimes difficult to draw. The author, who studied Africa for many years and in many capacities, first investigates the long historical background of African slavery. Recent instances of Africans sold into slavery in Arabia are discussed, together with a detailed survey of recent and in some cases contemporary slavery throughout North Africa and Ethiopia. At what stage forced labor becomes slavery is a problem raised by the discussion of the white southern tier. The whole subject of slavery is put in perspective by contrasting examinations of the historical situation throughout the book and in a chapter on "The Slave Trade" in particular, and by the final thoughtful chapter, "Action on Slavery", which points to the heart of what is still a complex problem. AFRICA'S SLAVES TODAY provides fresh understanding for anyone interested in the continent, its history, and its changing customs.