About the Author. JOHN RALPH WILLIS Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies Princeton University. Amazon.com
: Detailing the economic structures that supported slave labor in sectors like salt mining, date palm cultivation, and trans-Saharan trade.
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: Slaves and Slavery in Africa: The Servile Estat...
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: Assessing the long-term impact of Islamic slavery on contemporary African and Near Eastern societies. Key Perspectives About the Author
is an academic collection edited by John Ralph Willis , a Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. First published in 1985–1986, this 212-page volume explores the historical and social complexities of slavery specifically within Islamic Africa. Core Themes and Content
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 The work is a compilation of essays originating
Slaves and Slavery in Africa (Slaves & Slavery in Muslim Africa)