The work is a compilation of essays originating from a 1977 conference at Princeton University titled "Islamic Africa: Slavery and Related Institutions". It focuses on four primary themes:
: Investigating the social relationships between the enslaved and their masters, as well as the transition to post-servile conditions. Slaves and Slavery in Africa: The Servile Estat...
About the Author. JOHN RALPH WILLIS Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies Princeton University. Amazon.com The work is a compilation of essays originating
Slaves and Slavery in Africa: Volume Two: The Servile Estate JOHN RALPH WILLIS Professor in the Department of
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Slaves and Slavery in Africa (Slaves & Slavery in Muslim Africa)
The text distinguishes the "servile estate" in Africa from other forms of slavery by highlighting its unique integration into the economic and social fabric. Slaves were often seen as a form of currency or "entourage" for notables, sustaining key industries like spice plantations along the East African coast. Unlike some other historical models, these essays emphasize that Islamic beliefs sometimes dictated that enslaved people be viewed as human beings with specific rights, rather than purely as moveable property. Where to Find It