Abstract

The study “slavery and slave Trade in the Coast of Douala” analyses slave trade in Douala Cameroon, through socio-economic, political and cultural contributions in the society. The study argues that even though the trade affected some indigenes of Douala negatively, it also influenced the lives of the middlemen positively it created recurrent animosity between the freeborn and slaves. In the course of this study both primary and secondary sources were consulted. Primary sources came from oral interviews and archival materials while secondary sources were books, articles, thesis and government documents. A historical method of analytical approach was adopted. The findings of this study revealed that, slaves were exchanged for European manufactured goods, they were sold and transported through the Douala Coast and this affected the socio-economic development of the Douala people. To a greater extent, it increased trade in the Douala Coast and to a lesser extent it reduced the population of the Douala people.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

The Douala estuary as from 1472 experienced trade with the coastal indigenes and European. The Portuguese at the beginning never established a permanent trading post at Douala in the Wouri River. The Dutch traders came at the beginning of the seventeen century opened a trading station in Douala at the Wouri River. 1 By 1550 the Douala (indigenous people) of the Wouri River Estuary were already involved in the transatlantic slave trade. The nature of their earliest relations with peoples of the interior entirely failed to create any sense of proto nationalism or even an effective local imperialism. Instead, the Douala conceived of their ties with other Cameroon peoples, the importance of slavery for the Douala is attested by the presence in their language of numerous, words that can be translated.

The Douala appeared to have specialized in the export of Ivory accompanied by only small numbers of slaves, intensive Douala participation in the Atlantic slave trade began only during the 1750s. The Douala functioned as minor but steady suppliers to the Atlantic slave trade. Slaves were not only for commercial and political use but participated directly in the patty warfare, not only as foot soldiers but also the only kind of casualty acceptable to main fighters. Slaves in this context became a kind of political activity. During the nineteenth-century trade between Douala and its hinter land constitute a major commodity and were no longer sold overseas. By the mid-1820s slaves apparently ceased to be exported in any significant numbers from Douala. In 1833 Britain because of its global leadership mission to abolish slave trade and supplant slave trade with legitimate trade contracted a commercial alliance with one of the principal coastal kings Bile of Bimbia. In June 1840 Kings Bell and Akwa each signed treaties with the British accepting to end slave trade and slavery in their chiefdoms.

Negatively, it let to decline in population, the lost of healthy and productive population in the Douala kingdom. This was because most active young men and women were captured and sold as slaves and due to that low birth rate. The decline of active population in Douala had a great effect on its labour force, this is responsible for the slow rate of development in the area.

Slave trade provided lucrative source of wealth and slaves which were at times used in large transaction as currency. It helped to enriched most of the Douala Kings like king Bell, Akwa and Deido. The abolition of slave trade was followed with the signing of abolition treaties. When it finally ended, domestic slavery took the place of slave trade which is still practiced till date in most homes in Douala in particular and Cameroon in general.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Slavery and Slave trade slowly diminished with the imposition of colonial rule but did not cease. The occurrence in the society is partly driven by the use of human survival in certain situation is attained at the expense of domination. In Douala, slaves were dominated by free born and excluded from important social economic activities and from this situation some slaves tried and wanted to enjoy social political rights like the freeborn. This led to mutual suspicion and affected the population and slowed economic progress, slavery and slave trade have been a part of civilization since earliest time, this and slave trade in Douala created social, Economic instability and attempt to address these problems have not been a total success.

1.3 Objective of Study

The main objective of this study is to analyze slavery and slave trade in Douala. Other objectives are:

1.3.1 Specific Objective

1. To examine the origins of slavery in the Douala of Cameroon.
2. To analyse how slave trade was practiced in Douala coast.
3. To examine the impact of slave trade on the Douala people.
4. To examine Britain, Germany, France, Portugal’s role in the Atlantic slave trade in the coast of Douala.
5. To analyse why and how slave trade was abolish in Douala coast.
6. To provide measures of reducing tension that exist between the free born and slaves.

1.4 Significance of Study

The study of slavery and slave trade is relevant to the community because it does not only trace the origins of internal slavery but address the measures the government of Cameroon should adopt since it is carrying out campaigns for peaceful coexistence amongst societies in Cameroon. It also facilitates the government goal aimed at achieving national peace and development.

This study is also significant because it highlights various trade routes, trade sphere and relationship between the Europeans and Africans (Cameroonians), the undesirable conflict of the freeborn and slaves. This study provides abundant literature for scholars interested in social history in general and the study of slavery and slave trade in particular.