Posted on 06/22/2024 9:48:47 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Slavery was and is an abomination. That’s the core of it, so thanks for agreeing with me.
Not every slave kept in Africa was killed in sacrifice. Most just toiled.
Not every African slave-dealing king kingdom practiced human sacrifice.
The life expectancy of a slave in a European run sugar plantation was 3 years. They were worked to death as in galley ships and salt mines.
Deaths on board a slave ship were ten percent on the low end, usually higher.
“ Deaths on board a slave ship were ten percent on the low end, usually higher.”
Much higher if they didn’t go.
I do think near 100%
By sacrifice or worked to death.
“ The life expectancy of a slave in a European run sugar plantation was 3 years. They were worked to death as in galley ships and salt mines.”
This is a separate issue. I’ve heard similar things as well. I’m not addressing that one way or the other. It seems consistent with numbers to North America vs Caribbean and South America.
Just discussing these things is difficult because people can mistakenly take such analyses as justifying slavery or something similar because it’s such a visceral issue.
I didn’t think you were justifying slavery at all. I think you are quite incorrect that a slaves had higher mortality in Africa, even in Dahomey, than in being sent to the Americas.
“ I think you are quite incorrect that a slaves had higher mortality in Africa, even in Dahomey, than in being sent to the Americas.”
That’s the crux of it.
The magnitude of human sacrifice is something I didn’t know before. That’s why I’m saying this.
This article reinforces the centrality of human sacrifices to their day to day existence in that building material needed human blood.
Here’s how I see it. The powerful slave trading tribes constantly captured people from weaker tribes.
They had one set of captives they kept and used for their purposes, slaves, concubines etc…
The other set were either used for sacrifice or sold to Europeans.
“Several structures in the palace complex” were built with blood.
Not every building in the palace let alone all of Dahomey.
Not day to day construction, day to day existence.
Look up annual customs of Dahomey. Usually around 500 sacrificed, 4000 in 1727
“ Usually around 500 sacrificed, 4000 in 1727.
4000 is a lot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.