Mohammed Ali Nicholas Sa’id: de esclavo a veterano de la Guerra Civil de los Estados Unidos

Muhammad Ali Sa’id, que tomó el nombre de Nicholas Said después de haber sido bautizado, procedía del estado musulmán de Borno en la década de 1850. Seguirá un periplo que le llevará a través del Sahara hasta La Meca, Istambul y San Petersburgo. Posteriormente viajó como criado por Europa occidental, el Caribe y Norteamérica. Su trayectoria desde que era hijo de un poderoso general y gobernador en Borno hasta su estatus esclavo en el Imperio otomano y, después, como sirviente libre entre la nobleza rusa, le llevó por último a alistarse en el 55º regimiento de Massachusetts integrado completamente por negros durante la Guerra Civil en los Estados Unidos.Muhammad Ali Sa’id, who was renamed Nicholas Said upon his baptism, came from the Muslim state of Borno in the 1850s, following an odyssey that took him across the Sahara, to Mecca, Istanbul and St. Petersburg. He susbsequently traveled as a valet through western Europe to the Caribbean and North America. His trajectory from the son of a powerful general and governor in Borno to his enslaved status in the Ottoman Empire and then to a position as a freed servant to Russian nobility ultimately led to his enlistment in the all-black 55th Massachusetts Regiment during the Civil War in the United States

Revolutionary Mahdism and resistance to early colonial rule in Northern Nigeria and Niger

African Studies Seminar series. Paper presented May, 1979In early 1906 the French, Germans and British faced a series of challenges to their continued subjugation of the Sokoto Caliphate. An uprising which began in December 1905 in French Niger in the region of Dallol Mawri and Dallol Bosso, 160 km south of Niamey and 250 km west of Sokoto, spread north up the Niger River valley past Niamey through Zaberma and east across the boundary with British Northern Nigeria to the vicinity of Sokoto itself. Several British and French officials were killed. Another rising erupted in German Adamawa, far to the east, and the call for revolt was heard in Bauchi, Gombe, Kontagora and other parts of recently-conquered British territory. As these events demonstrated, resistance to colonial rule did not respect the new boundaries which European imperial decisions had imposed on the Sokoto Caliphate. In the west - around Sokoto and in the Niger valley - resistance against the French and British was reasonably, well coordinated, considering the difficulty of communication. The eastern uprising against the Germans does not appear to have been connected with the western movement and indeed had different roots than its western counterpart. Nonetheless, the risings of 1906 were all Mahdist, advocated the expulsion of the Europeans, and called for the overthrow of those Caliphate officials who did not join the Mahdist cause. The British, French and Germans were successful in crushing these revolts, but the dangers presented by a coordinated revolt were real enough. (2) Not until these revolts were crushed can it be claimed that colonial rule had been firmly established

Concubinage and the status of women slaves in early colonial Northern Nigeria

African Studies Seminar series. Paper presented 21 March 1988The establishment of British rule in Northern Nigeria (1897- 1903) did not ameliorate the condition of female slaves, particularly concubines. The policy of Indirect Rule, as implemented under High Commissioner Frederick Lugard (1900-1906), required an accommodation with the aristocracy of the Sokoto Caliphate, which constituted most of the area that became the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria. As is well known, individual officials who opposed the conquest were deposed, but the aristocracy itself was kept in place. Indeed under colonial rule many of the powers of the aristocracy were enhanced. In order to achieve the support of the aristocracy, the Lugard Administration had to compromise on many issues, and one of the most sensitive of these was concubinage. The issue touched the nerve of patriarchal Muslim society. Women in general held an inferior position in society, both legally and in fact. Concubines and other slave women were even worse off than free women. For the British, the treatment of women was not an important issue and there was virtually no reluctance in accepting the status quo to the extent that other policies allowed. The problem was that concubines were slaves, and British policy was committed to the reform and ultimate demise of slavery. This article explores the tension between patriarchal Muslim society and British colonialism over the status of women. Concubinage was allowed to continue. It is apparent that women had to accept their subjugation, but sometimes they resisted

Equiano’s World: Chronicling the Life and Times of Gustavus Vassa

Equiano’s World (www.equianosworld.org) is a website that chronicles the life and times of Gustavus Vassa (c. 1741–1797), who is known most frequently by his birth name, Olaudah Equiano. Vassa became well known in Britain after the publication of his autobiography in 1789 and for his prominent role in the movement for abolition of the British slave trade, which was only finally enacted in 1807, ten years after his death. The associated database includes all known documentation on Vassa and information relevant to the study of his life. Foremost among these materials is his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, which was republished nine times in his lifetime. Other documentation includes contemporary newspaper accounts, legal documents, and images from his life experiences. The website addresses issues arising from the context of Vassa’s life, including his place of birth, his name, and his influence on the abolition movement. It demonstrates that he only wanted to be known by the name he was given when he was enslaved rather than by his birth name; even today he is best known as Olaudah Equiano or even simply Equiano, even though Equiano was not a surname. His unusual experience as an enslaved servant to a British naval officer during the Seven Years’ War and afterwards to a merchant in the Caribbean gave him particular insight into the horrors of slavery and his commitment to its abolition. Because of the education he received on British ships and subsequently in London after he purchased his own freedom, he stands out as a prominent and literate intellectual and political activist. His autobiography continues to be read widely and taught in university courses. The project is part of a broader initiative that explores the testimonies and personal profiles of Africans who were enslaved during the era of slavery, most of whom were taken to the Americas.The article outlines the structure of the website into seven sections: first, a Home page that includes a project history, acknowledgements, technical details, and a discussion of the “Best Practices” that underlie the project. The second section focuses on Context, examining key settings from the interior of the Bight of Biafra where Vassa was born, the slave trade of the late eighteenth century, the Middle Passage across the Atlantic, the Seven Years’ War, and London and Britain in the late eighteenth century. The section on his travels has a chronological timeline and maps relating to them. The Associates section contains biographical sketches and images of his family, those whom he knew while he was enslaved, his associates in the Abolition movement, his co-religionists, and his connections in scientific and military circles. It also includes a list of individuals who subscribed to his autobiography. The section on Studying Equiano includes his autobiography, a list of its editions, and over 200 legal documents, letters, and newspaper notices and accounts. The Resources section includes a bibliography of several hundred items that discuss Vassa and his work, as well as audio and visual resources, links to websites on Vassa, slavery and diaspora. This article discusses technical details of website construction, which uses a backend known as Regenerated Identities (RegID). The website relies on open-source content and has a search function that enables location of people, places, and periods relevant to Vassa’s life.Equiano’s World (www.equianosworld.org) est un site web qui fait la chronique de la vie et de l’époque de Gustave Vassa (env. 1741-1797), plus connu sous son nom de naissance, Olaudah Equiano. Vassa est devenu connu en Grande-Bretagne après la publication de son autobiographie en 1789 et pour son rôle prépondérant dans le mouvement pour l’abolition de la traite des esclaves britanniques, finalement décrétée en 1807, dix ans après son décès. La base de données associée au site inclut toute la documentation connue sur Vassa et les informations pertinentes pour l’étude de sa vie. L’élément majeur parmi ces contenus est son autobiographie, The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African (publiée sous le titre français La véridique histoire par lui-même d’Olaudah Equiano, Africain, esclave aux Caraïbes, homme libre) qui a été rééditée neuf fois de son vivant. Parmi les autres documents, on trouve notamment des articles de journaux, des documents officiels et des images de ses expériences de vie. Le site web aborde les questions soulevées par le contexte de la vie de Vassa, y compris son lieu de naissance, son nom et son influence sur le mouvement abolitionniste. Il démontre qu’il ne voulait être connu que sous son nom d’esclave, Gustave Vassa, plutôt que sous son nom de naissance ; encore à ce jour, il est mieux connu sous le nom d’Olaudah Equiano, ou même simplement Equiano, qui n’était même pas un nom de famille. Son expérience atypique d’esclave au service d’un officier de marine britannique pendant la guerre de Sept Ans et ensuite au service d’un marchand dans les Caraïbes lui a octroyé une connaissance approfondie des horreurs de l’esclavage et a été à l’origine de son engagement pour l’abolition. Grâce à l’éducation qu’il a reçue sur les navires britanniques, puis à Londres après avoir racheté sa propre liberté, il se démarque comme un éminent intellectuel instruit et militant. Son autobiographie est toujours amplement lue et enseignée dans les universités. Le projet fait partie d’une initiative plus large qui explore les témoignages et profils individuels d’Africains assujettis à l’ère de l’esclavage, dont la plupart ont été emmenés aux Amériques. L’article expose les grandes lignes de la structure du site web en sept sections : d’abord, une page d’accueil qui comprend un historique du projet, des remerciements, des détails techniques et un débat sur les « bonnes pratiques » à la base du projet. La deuxième section s’attache au contexte, par l’examen d’éléments-clés de l’intérieur du golfe du Biafra où Vassa est né : la traite des esclaves de la fin du xviiie siècle, le Passage du Milieu transatlantique, la guerre de Sept Ans, et Londres et la Grande-Bretagne à la fin du xviiie siècle. Cette section sur ses voyages présente une chronologie et des cartes associées. La section sur les associés contient des croquis biographiques et des images des membres de sa famille, de ceux qu’il a connus pendant son esclavage, de ses associés du mouvement abolitionniste, de ses coreligionnaires et de ses connaissances dans les cercles scientifiques et militaires. Elle comprend également une liste de personnes qui ont soutenu financièrement son autobiographie. Cette section sur l’étude d’Equiano comprend son autobiographie, une liste des rééditions, et plus de deux cents documents officiels, lettres, avis et articles de journaux. La section ressources comprend une bibliographie de plusieurs centaines d’items autour de Vassa et de son œuvre, ainsi que des ressources audio et visuelles, des liens vers des sites concernant Vassa, l’esclavage et la diaspora. Cet article débat des détails techniques de la construction d’un site web qui utilise une interface appelée Regenerated Identities (RegID). Le site repose sur des contenus open source et présente une fonction de recherche qui permet de cibler des noms de personnes, de lieux et des périodes pertinentes de la vie de Vassa.Equiano’s World (www.equianosworld.org) es un sitio web que hace la crónica de la vida y de la época de Gustavus Vassa (1741–1797, aproximadamente), más conocido por su nombre de nacimiento, Olaudah Equiano. Vassa se hizo conocido en Gran Bretaña luego de la publicación de su autobiografía en 1789 y por su papel preponderante en el movimiento para la abolición de la trata de los esclavos británicos, decretada finalmente en 1807, diez años después de su muerte. La base de datos del sitio incluye toda la documentación conocida sobre Vassa y las informaciones pertinentes para el estudio de su vida. El elemento mayor entre estos contenidos es su autobiografía, The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African (publicada en castellano con el título de Narración de la vida de Olaudah Equiano, el africano, escrita por él mismo. Autobiografía de un esclavo liberto del siglo xviii), reeditada nueve veces en vida del autor. Entre los documentos se encuentran en particular artículos de diarios, documentos oficiales e imágenes de sus experiencias de vida. El sitio web aborda las cuestiones relacionadas con el contexto de la vida de Vassa, incluyendo su lugar de nacimiento, su nombre y su influencia en el movimiento abolicionista. Demuestra que quería ser conocido únicamente por su nombre de esclavo, Gustavus Vassa, y no por su nombre de nacimiento; hoy se lo conoce más por el nombre de Olaudah Equiano, o simplemente Equiano, que ni siquiera era un apellido. Su experiencia atípica de esclavo al servicio de un oficial naval británico durante la Guerra de los Siete Años y luego al servicio de un comerciante en el Caribe le otorgó un conocimiento profundo de los horrores de la esclavitud, lo que dio origen a su compromiso por la abolición. Gracias a la educación que recibió en las naves británicas, y más tarde en Londres, después de haber comprado su propia libertad, se destaca como un eminente intelectual, instruido y militante. Su autobiografía sigue siendo muy leída y estudiada en las universidades. El proyecto forma parte de una iniciativa más amplia que explora los testimonios y perfiles individuales de africanos sometidos en la época de la esclavitud, cuya amplia mayoría fue trasladada al continente americano.El artículo expone las grandes líneas de la estructura del sitio web en siete secciones: en primer lugar, una página de inicio que comprende la historia del proyecto, agradecimientos, detalles técnicos, y un debate sobre las “buenas prácticas” que sustentan el proyecto. La segunda sección apunta al contexto, a través del examen de elementos clave del interior del golfo de Biafra, donde nació Vassa: la trata de esclavos de fines del siglo xviii, el Pasaje del Medio transatlántico, la Guerra de los Siete Años, Londres y Gran Bretaña a fines del siglo xviii. La sección sobre sus viajes presenta una cronología y mapas adjuntos. La sección sobre los asociados contiene croquis biográficos e imágenes de los miembros de su familia, de quienes conoció durante su esclavitud, de sus asociados en el movimiento abolicionista, de sus correligionarios y de sus conocidos en los círculos científicos y militares. Contiene también una lista de personas que ayudaron a financiar su autobiografía. La sección sobre el estudio de Equiano comprende su autobiografía, una lista de reediciones, y más de doscientos documentos oficiales, cartas, avisos y artículos en los diarios. La sección recursos comprende una bibliografía de cientos de ítems sobre Vassa y su obra, como también recursos de audio y visuales, vínculos a sitios sobre Vassa, la esclavitud y la diáspora. El artículo debate detalles técnicos de la construcción de un sitio web que utiliza una interfaz llamada Regenerated Identities (RegID). El sitio se basa en contenidos open source y presenta una función de búsqueda que permite dar con nombres de personas, lugares y períodos relacionados con la vida de Vassa.Equiano’s World (www.equianosworld.org) é um website que propõe a crónica da vida e do tempo de Gustave Vassa (c. 1741–1797), mais conhecido pelo seu nome de nascimento, Olaudah Equiano. Vassa tornou-se famoso na Grã-Bretanha depois da publicação de sua autobiografia em 1789 e pelo seu papel importante no movimento da abolição do trato de escravos britânico, decretada finalmente em 1807, dez anos depois de sua morte. A base de dados associada ao site inclue toda a documentação conhecida sobre Vassa e as informações pertinentes para o estudo de sua vida. O elemento principal entre estes conteúdos é sua autobiografia, The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African (publicado em francês com o título La véridique histoire par lui-même d’Olaudah Equiano, Africain, esclave aux Caraïbes, homme libre) que foi reeditada nove vezes durante a sua vida. Entre os outros documentos, encontra-se nomeadamente artigos de jornais, documentos oficiais assim como imagens de suas experiências de vida. O site web aborda os problemas colocados pelo contexto da vida de Vassa, incluindo seu lugar de nascimento, seu nome e sua influência sobre o movimento abolicionista. Mostra como ele queria ser conhecido pelo seu nome de escravo, Gustave Vassa, antes que pelo seu nome de nascimento; ainda hoje, é mais conhecido pelo nome de Olaudah Equiano, ou simplesmente Equiano, que nem era um sobrenome. Sua experiência atípica de escravo ao serviço de um oficial da marinha britânica durante a guerre de Sete Anos e depois ao serviço de um negociante nas Caraíbas tem-lhe dado um conhecimento aprofundado dos horrores da escravidão e originou o seu envolvimento na abolição.A educação que recebeu nos navios britânicos, e a seguir em Londres, depois de ter comprado sua liberdade, permitiram que se tornasse um grande intelectual instruído e militante. Sua autobiografia continua sendo largamente lida e comentada nas universidades. O projeto faz parte de uma iniciativa mais ampla que explora as testemunhas e os perfis individuais de Africanos escravizados no tempo da escravidão, sendo a maioria levados para as Américas.Este artigo apresenta a estrutura do website em sete secções : primeiro, uma Página de apresentação que inclue um histórico do projeto, agradecimentos, pormenores técnicos e uma discussão sobre as « boas práticas » na base do projeto. A segunda secção enfoca o Contexto, examinando elementos-chaves do interior do golfo do Biafra onde Vassa nasceu : o trato de escravos no final do século XVIII, o Middle Passage transatlântico, a guerra de Sete Anos, e Londres e a Grã-Bretanha no final do século XVIII. A secção sobre suas viagens apresenta uma cronologia e mapas referentes. A secção sobre os Associados contem esboços biográficos e imagens dos membros de sua família, das pessoas que conheceu durante a sua escravidão, de seus associados no movimento abolicionista, de seus correligionários, e das suas conexões com os círculos científicos e militares. Inclue também uma lista das pessoas que financiaram sua autobiografia. A secção sobre o Estudo de Equiano inclue sua autobiografia, uma lista das edições, e mais de duzentos documentos oficiais, cartas, avisos e artigos de jornais. A secção Recursos inclue uma bibliografia de várias centenas de itens referentes a Vassa e sua obra, assim como recursos audio e visuais, links para outros sites sobre Vassa, a escravidão e a diáspora. Este artigo discute os detalhes técnicos da construção de um website que usa uma interface chamada Regenerated Identities (RegID). O site baseia-se sobre conteúdos open source e apresenta uma função de pesquisa que permite enfocar nomes de pessoas, de lugares e de períodos pertinentes da vida de Vassa