The life of Olaudah The life of Olaudah EquianoEquiano

Who was Olaudah Equiano?Who was Olaudah Equiano?

What happened to him?What happened to him?

What did he do?What did he do?

Olaudah was born in the kingdom Olaudah was born in the kingdom of Benin, West Africa, in 1745of Benin, West Africa, in 1745

Where is Benin? Where is Benin?

Can you find it?Can you find it?

As an adult he wrote down his As an adult he wrote down his memoriesmemories. .

What do we call this kind of What do we call this kind of book?book?

Each family had its own piece of ground, surrounded by a wallEach family had its own piece of ground, surrounded by a wall

They made their own potteryThey made their own pottery

Cooked in the openCooked in the open

Farmed their own Farmed their own animalsanimals

The women wore The women wore colourful jewelrycolourful jewelry

Had their own chief and wise Had their own chief and wise manman

Prepared home grown foodPrepared home grown food

What kind of life did Olaudah What kind of life did Olaudah have at this time?have at this time?

Was he happy? Or sad?Was he happy? Or sad?

What makes you think this?What makes you think this?

Change!Change!

• At eleven, he was At eleven, he was kidnapped and sold to a kidnapped and sold to a goldsmith who he helped goldsmith who he helped to fetch water, and feed to fetch water, and feed his chickenshis chickens

• At first, he missed his At first, he missed his mother and family – he mother and family – he refused to eat. After time, refused to eat. After time, he got used to his new life.he got used to his new life.

Change!Change!

• Sold again! Olaudah was taken by Sold again! Olaudah was taken by traders to a town.traders to a town.

• He was bought for 172 white shellsHe was bought for 172 white shells• Sold again! Olaudah was bought by a Sold again! Olaudah was bought by a

widow who wanted a playmate for widow who wanted a playmate for her son. her son.

• How did he feel?How did he feel?

Change!Change!

• He was sold to African traders who He was sold to African traders who took him to the coast of Benin.took him to the coast of Benin.

• Olaudah was sold as a slave – he Olaudah was sold as a slave – he went on a ship bound for the went on a ship bound for the Caribbean.Caribbean.

Sold for goods!Sold for goods!

Do you remember what kind Do you remember what kind of goods?of goods?

The journey lasted ten weeks

Conditions were cramped, sweaty, hot, Conditions were cramped, sweaty, hot, and diseasedand diseased

On deck : ‘White men with horrible red facesOn deck : ‘White men with horrible red faces and loose hairand loose hair

Below deck : ‘Black people chained together – Below deck : ‘Black people chained together – their their faces full of misery and sorrow’faces full of misery and sorrow’

FoodFood

• ‘‘We had nothing to eat but yams We had nothing to eat but yams thrown amongst us. We had hardly thrown amongst us. We had hardly enough to keep us alive’ enough to keep us alive’ (A slave (A slave quoted by a ship’s surgeon)quoted by a ship’s surgeon)

• ‘‘The slaves were given clean spoons The slaves were given clean spoons to eat their breakfasts’ (Captain to eat their breakfasts’ (Captain Crow, 1830)Crow, 1830)

Keeping cleanKeeping clean

• ‘‘We sweated a lot because we were We sweated a lot because we were so hot and crowded. The smell of our so hot and crowded. The smell of our bodies in the air was terrible’ bodies in the air was terrible’ (Olaudah Equiano, 1756)(Olaudah Equiano, 1756)

• ‘‘Their rooms were cleaned with Their rooms were cleaned with frankincense and lime juice…they frankincense and lime juice…they washed their bodies and rubbed washed their bodies and rubbed them with oil’ (Captain Crow)them with oil’ (Captain Crow)

•Why did he claim to keep the slaves fit and Why did he claim to keep the slaves fit and healthy?healthy?

Captain CrowCaptain Crow

Typical slave traderTypical slave trader

Reaction of the slavesReaction of the slaves

RebellionRebellion

Many of the negroes refused to Many of the negroes refused to eat. I have seen glowing coals eat. I have seen glowing coals put near their lips. They were told put near their lips. They were told they would have to swallow the they would have to swallow the coals if they did not eat (A ship’s coals if they did not eat (A ship’s surgeon)surgeon)

Many of the negroes refused to Many of the negroes refused to eat. I have seen glowing coals eat. I have seen glowing coals put near their lips. They were told put near their lips. They were told they would have to swallow the they would have to swallow the coals if they did not eat (A ship’s coals if they did not eat (A ship’s surgeon)surgeon)

Seeing that the crew were sick, Seeing that the crew were sick, and weak, some slaves and weak, some slaves planned a revolt. They tore off planned a revolt. They tore off their chains and attacked our their chains and attacked our men. When we fired at them, men. When we fired at them, some jumped overboard and some jumped overboard and drowned themselves. (A sailor drowned themselves. (A sailor on a slave ship)on a slave ship)

Seeing that the crew were sick, Seeing that the crew were sick, and weak, some slaves and weak, some slaves planned a revolt. They tore off planned a revolt. They tore off their chains and attacked our their chains and attacked our men. When we fired at them, men. When we fired at them, some jumped overboard and some jumped overboard and drowned themselves. (A sailor drowned themselves. (A sailor on a slave ship)on a slave ship)

This journey was called the This journey was called the Middle PassageMiddle Passage

• How did Olaudah feel at the start of How did Olaudah feel at the start of his childhood?his childhood?

• What changed in his life?What changed in his life?• Can you imagine the journey he Can you imagine the journey he

must’ve taken during the Middle must’ve taken during the Middle Passage?Passage?

• Was Olaudah’s experience, so far, Was Olaudah’s experience, so far, similar to other children who were sold similar to other children who were sold as slaves?as slaves?