Slo Death for Slavery The Course of Abolition in Northern Nigeria 1897}}}1936 [Paperback]

This book examines the decline of slavery in Northern Nigeria during the first forty years of colonial rule. Rather than emancipate slaves, the state abolished the legal status of slavery, encouraging them to buy their freedom. Since many were unable to do so, slavery was not abolished until 1936.This book examines the decline of slavery in Northern Nigeria during the first forty years of colonial rule. Rather than emancipate slaves, the state abolished the legal status of slavery, encouraging them to buy their freedom. Since many were unable to do so, slavery was not abolished until 1936.This book examines the decline of slavery in Northern Nigeria during the first forty years of colonial rule. At the time of the British conquest, the Sokoto Caliphate was one of the largest slave societies in modern history. Rather than emancipate slaves, the colonial state abolished the legal status of slavery, encouraging them to buy their freedom. Many were unable to do so, and slavery was not finally abolished until l936. The authors have written a provocative book, raising doubts over the moral legitimacy of both the Sokoto Caliphate and the colonial state.List of maps; List of tables; Preface; 1. Slavery and the British conquest of Northern Nigeria; 2. Fugitive slaves and the crisis in slavery policy; 3. The debate on legal-status abolition; 4. Emancipation and the law; 5. Upholding proprietary rights to land; 6. The role of taxation in the reform of slavery; 7. The colonial economy and the slaves; 8. The persistence of concubinage; 9. Legal-status abolition: the final phase; Appendix; Notes; Glossary; Bibliography; Index. This volume presents a wealth of meticulous research in order to readjust the commonly accepted textbook view that Britain was the major actor in the abolition of slavery in modern times. In carefully constructed and supported arguments that proceed clearly and logically from chapter to chapter, the authors establish that offical British policy in its portlcw