The truth about slavery

Throughout history an estimated 200 million people were enslaved, recorded in ancient records and, sadly, continuing today.

For more than 1000 years, Arab traders transported small groups of African slaves; the first record dates to the 7th century.

The majority of African slaves were acquired through conflicts by African rulers. One famous trader, Madam Tinubu, grew from rags to riches from it. Another African trader, who called himself Grandy King George, once specified a slave payment of only “one lucking-glass, six foot long by six foot wide,” an armchair, a stool and a cane. 

Hardly spoken about are the millions of Europeans that were traded as slaves. White slavery was common from early on. And as late as the 17th and 18th centuries large numbers of poor whites were kidnapped on the streets of Europe and sold in the West Indies and elsewhere.

Slavery today

Slavery in early times is well documented in ancient scripts, such as the Bible. In modern times most countries in the world, including African countries, traded with slaves. Excluded were Russia and the Balkan countries. But things have changed. The sad truth is that, unlike what you might have expected, the slave trade still is very active today all over the world.

It is estimated that more than 20 million people are enslaved through debt bondage and human trafficking. Enslaving women and children into forced sex labor is the fastest growing criminal activity and is predicted to outgrow drug trafficking.