Slaves' stories

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Life before captureOyeladunfor Oyeladun


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After several hard years things were getting better for my people, the Yoruba. The cocoa and yams were flourishing and there was plenty for us all to do in the fields around our village.

Shortly before I was taken I was betrothed to a man from my village, Babatunde. He makes sculptures and masks and other beautiful things from wood. I was very happy to be his wife.

We held a great celebration, a tambor. We rejoiced with drums and dancing, and I played my stickadao. It was a wonderful, hopeful day and I look back to that time and those people with great joy and longing.


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Yoruba dance mask
A gelede or dance mask from the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
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Life before capture for Okechukwu

Okechukwu lives in an Igbo village with his father and mother. He is learning to become a metal worker.

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Life before capture for Kofi

Kofi lives with his mother, sister and uncle in a Fanti village. He spends his days helping with the animals and playing with his friends.

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Life before capture for Kwame

Kwame is a goldsmith of the Asante tribe. He sells his wares to many people including the chief. His people sell slaves to the white people in exchange for guns.

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