The Oxford Encyclopedia of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and the Diaspora in African History

Both colonial and early nationalist writers of African history tried to minimize the importance of the slave trade in the study of Africa's past and present.Increasingly, however, scholars have recognized the significance of the institution for properly understanding African history, both within the continent and throughout the Diaspora.Much of Africa entered into relations with the rest of the world as a producer of coerced labor.The Nile Valley and the coast of Northeast Africa were sources of slaves for ancient Egypt, and by the colonial period, dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries, the slave trade had become a major activity, shaping political, economic, and social structures.In the 21st century, Africa is a focal point for international debates regarding modern versions of slavery.The Oxford Encyclopedia of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and the Diaspora in African History is the first reference work of its kind to explore this history: a comprehensive resource that aims to cover