Local acquisition, transportation and emancipation of slaves in the far west of Ethiopia: The case of Bela-Shangul from 1898-1935

Abstract

In the first three decades of the twentieth century, local acquisition and transportation of slaves in the western frontier lands of Ethiopia  intensified due to the diversification of actors and destinations of the slaves. Since efforts to introduce ox-drawn plowing in agriculture in  the area failed, slaves were locally used to produce gold and ivory. Thus, the area became a major source of slaves for the central  government of Ethiopia, which collected wealth in the form of annual tribute and personal gifts. Moreover, varied actors of the slave  trade transported slaves from the area to different destinations as tribute and items of trade. These local acquisition and transportation  of slaves from this area had economic, social, psychological and legal impact on the enslaved communities of the area. Nevertheless,  international law against the slave trade, the British attempts to end the slave trade in the area, the signing of treaties by Ethiopia in the  League of Nations and local attempts to abolish slavery and the slave trade could not protect the communities of the borderlands in western Ethiopia. The activity continued in the area even during the Italian occupation. The activities terminated only in the last years of  the 1930s when the power of local governors and family members declined. Thus, the main objective of this study was to investigate  these developments which did not get the needed attention by scholars. In conducting this research, a qualitative research approach was used and both secondary and primary sources as well as oral data were utilized. Finally, the collected sources were carefully crosschecked  and interpreted.