Abolition in Sierra Leone: Re-Building Lives and Identities in Nineteenth-Century West Africa

This study explores how 100,000 Africans who were forcibly removed from their homelands and settled in Sierra Leone were able to rebuild new lives, communities, and collective identities in a British colony in West Africa. It reveals the linkages between emancipation, colonization, and identity formation in the Black Atlantic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 307 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This study delves into the lives and experiences of 100,000 Africans who were forcibly removed from their homelands and transported to Sierra Leone by the British Navy after Britain's abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. It focuses on the resilience and determination of these individuals as they rebuilt new lives, communities, and collective identities in the early British colony of West Africa. By tracing the evolution of communities forged in the context of forced migration and the missionary encounter, the study sheds light on both African and African diaspora history.

Richard Peter Anderson takes a novel approach to the study of British anti-slavery, examining it not as a history of legal victories (abolitionism) but of enforcement and lived experience (abolition). He reveals the intricate linkages between emancipation, colonization, and identity formation in the Black Atlantic, providing a fresh perspective on this significant historical field.

The study begins by tracing the journey of the enslaved Africans who were taken off slave vessels by the British Navy. It explores the conditions they faced during their transportation, the hardships they endured, and the challenges they encountered upon their arrival in Sierra Leone. Despite the oppressive conditions, the Africans showed remarkable resilience and adaptability, forming new communities and adapting to their new surroundings.

One of the key aspects of the study is the role of the missionaries in Sierra Leone. The missionaries played a significant role in shaping the cultural and social landscape of the colony, introducing Christianity and Western education to the Africans. They also provided support and assistance to the enslaved individuals, helping them to establish schools, hospitals, and other institutions that contributed to their well-being and development.

The study also explores the impact of colonization on the identity formation of the Africans in Sierra Leone. The colonial experience brought about a mixture of cultural influences, as the Africans were exposed to new ideas, values, and technologies. However, it also led to the marginalization and oppression of many Africans, as they were subjected to forced labor, discrimination, and exploitation.

Despite these challenges, the Africans in Sierra Leone were able to forge new collective identities and maintain their cultural traditions. They developed a sense of pride and belonging in their communities, which helped them to resist the pressures of colonialism and maintain their cultural heritage. The study also highlights the role of African leaders and intellectuals in shaping the political and social landscape of the colony.

In conclusion, this study provides a valuable insight into the lives and experiences of the Africans who were forcibly removed from their homelands and transported to Sierra Leone by the British Navy. It sheds light on the resilience and determination of these individuals as they rebuilt new lives, communities, and collective identities in a challenging and oppressive environment. The study also highlights the complex linkages between emancipation, colonization, and identity formation in the Black Atlantic, providing a fresh perspective on this significant historical field.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108461870
Edition number: New ed