Yoruba people in the Atlantic slave trade

The Yoruba people, among the most heavily targeted, contributed significant cultural and economic influence upon the Atlantic slave trade during its run from approximately 1400 until 1900 CE.[1][2][3]

Oyo Empire

From 1400 onward, the Oyo Empire's imperial success made the Yoruba language a lingua franca almost to the shores of the Volta.[4] Toward the end of the 18th century, the Oyo army was neglected as there was less need to conquer.[5] Instead, Oyo directed more effort towards trading and acted as middlemen for both the Trans-Saharan and Trans-Atlantic slave trade.[5] Europeans bringing salt arrived in Oyo during the reign of King Obalokun.[6] Thanks to its domination of the coast, Oyo merchants were able to trade with Europeans at Porto Novo and Whydah.[7] Here the Oyo Empire's captives and criminals were sold to Dutch and Portuguese buyers.[8]

Cultural influence

In addition to the influence on slavery, and later Afro-American cuisine and language, the importation of Yoruba culture was most heavily evidenced in such manifestations of Yoruba religion as Santería, Candomblé Ketu, and other traditional spiritualities.

References
  1. Pedro Funari; Charles E. Orser Jr. (2014). Current Perspectives on the Archaeology of African Slavery in Latin America (SpringerBriefs in Archaeology). Springer. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-493-9126-43.
  2. Toyin Falola; Ann Genova (2005). Yoruba Creativity: Fiction, Language, Life and Songs. Africa World Press. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-592-2133-68.
  3. Olatunji Ojo (2008). "The Organization of the Atlantic Slave Trade in Yorubaland, ca.1777 to ca.1856". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. The International Journal of African Historical Studies (Boston University African Studies Center). 41 (1): 77–100. JSTOR 40282457.
  4. Stride & Ifeka 1971, p. 302.
  5. Oliver & Atmore 2001, p. 95.
  6. Stride & Ifeka p. 292
  7. Stride & Ifeka 1971, p. 293.
  8. Smith 1989, p. 31.
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