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Royal Geographical Society (with IBG): the heart of geography

Indian Ocean slavery

Showing the enslavement of four Madagascan people, including a small child Many Africans arrived in Asia freely, due to trade routes, employment or pilgrimages. However, the majority moved involuntarily as slaves.

Slavery in the Indian Ocean was different to the Atlantic: there were more children, with slaves more likely to work as domestics. Slaves could attain social status within Islamic states, and, importantly, could gain freedom.

East Africa's coastal cities were terminals of routes stretching into the interior. These routes were the start and finish points of many European expeditions.

The Bombay-based British Royal Navy was the hub of an anti-slavery campaign, abolishing trade between 1855 and 1870. Despite treaties, however, slave trading continued across the region.


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