Professor Scully
History 125-002
Jasjeet S. Waraich
10-23-17
How Abina’s Action was Shaped by the Historical Context
The story of “ Abina and the Important Men” takes place in 1876. The Gold Coast has been under the English rules since 1874. During the 19th century, numerous changes, big and small, began to occur in the British ruled colonies in Africa. After many years of slave trade, fueled by the European thirst to grow, the British “officially banned the slave trade [in Africa] in 1807, and later criminalized slavery in 1874” (Abina Page 108). Nonetheless at this time all slaves were considered free but it was difficult for slaves to actually be free. Abina Mansah’s case was different because she was not only enslaved which …show more content…
This is the major theme of story of Abina and the Important Men. The Gold Coast still used slaves. Slaves were used in the plantation, mainly growing palm trees. The production of palm oil was a major source of income for the rich farmers and for the English government as they raised taxes on the sale of palm oil. Abina was a slave in one of the protectorates, Asante (Abina Page 6). One night, she decided to escape hemaster and she walked to the town of Cape Coast “They say that in Cape Coast all are free…” (Abina Page 7) tofind freedom. Abina found out that she needed a piece of paper saying you’re free, but in order to get that piece of paper, she needed a job and a place to stay, otherwise the police could put her in prison. At the market, a lady offered her help “ I know someone who works for the British. He, too, is an important man” (Abina Page 9). She met James Davis, a local young and ambitious attorney. He explained the dilemma “ Well, it is true that there is no legal slavery here in Cape Coast, or throughout the Colony and Protectorate, but look, the government doesn’t have the money or ability to enforce the law everywhere ” (Abina Page …show more content…
Eddoo was represented by James Hutton Brew, one of the few trained lawyers in Cape Town. Abina was not an educated child, and did expressed herself in her own language and was not clearly understood by the lawyers and judges. “ Then they held me down and cut my beads, and I was told that I was to be theiramperley — their slave ” . (Abina Page 24). Abina’s definition of salver was: “When a free person is sitting down at ease the slave is working ”. (Abina Page 119). The story clearly mentioned the problem the the judge faced “Thus, gentlemen, we have the situation we’re in today. Legally, there is no slavery in the colony and protectorate, yes as judges, my peers and I do not go out to actively try to find slaves and liberate them”. (Abina Page 50). The judge’s next decision was to form a jury. The jury did finally decide that the defendant was not guilty and Abina was set free from
History 125-002
Jasjeet S. Waraich
10-23-17
How Abina’s Action was Shaped by the Historical Context
The story of “ Abina and the Important Men” takes place in 1876. The Gold Coast has been under the English rules since 1874. During the 19th century, numerous changes, big and small, began to occur in the British ruled colonies in Africa. After many years of slave trade, fueled by the European thirst to grow, the British “officially banned the slave trade [in Africa] in 1807, and later criminalized slavery in 1874” (Abina Page 108). Nonetheless at this time all slaves were considered free but it was difficult for slaves to actually be free. Abina Mansah’s case was different because she was not only enslaved which …show more content…
This is the major theme of story of Abina and the Important Men. The Gold Coast still used slaves. Slaves were used in the plantation, mainly growing palm trees. The production of palm oil was a major source of income for the rich farmers and for the English government as they raised taxes on the sale of palm oil. Abina was a slave in one of the protectorates, Asante (Abina Page 6). One night, she decided to escape hemaster and she walked to the town of Cape Coast “They say that in Cape Coast all are free…” (Abina Page 7) tofind freedom. Abina found out that she needed a piece of paper saying you’re free, but in order to get that piece of paper, she needed a job and a place to stay, otherwise the police could put her in prison. At the market, a lady offered her help “ I know someone who works for the British. He, too, is an important man” (Abina Page 9). She met James Davis, a local young and ambitious attorney. He explained the dilemma “ Well, it is true that there is no legal slavery here in Cape Coast, or throughout the Colony and Protectorate, but look, the government doesn’t have the money or ability to enforce the law everywhere ” (Abina Page …show more content…
Eddoo was represented by James Hutton Brew, one of the few trained lawyers in Cape Town. Abina was not an educated child, and did expressed herself in her own language and was not clearly understood by the lawyers and judges. “ Then they held me down and cut my beads, and I was told that I was to be theiramperley — their slave ” . (Abina Page 24). Abina’s definition of salver was: “When a free person is sitting down at ease the slave is working ”. (Abina Page 119). The story clearly mentioned the problem the the judge faced “Thus, gentlemen, we have the situation we’re in today. Legally, there is no slavery in the colony and protectorate, yes as judges, my peers and I do not go out to actively try to find slaves and liberate them”. (Abina Page 50). The judge’s next decision was to form a jury. The jury did finally decide that the defendant was not guilty and Abina was set free from