The slave diary

In humanities we are learning about the british empire and about slave trade so we made a diary on how it would be like to be a slave.

Entry 1 - Life In The Village

My name is Akinkawon and recently my village started trading with the white people. We swap some of our people for wood and metal weapons called muskets. We live off the land growing crops and breeding livestock. My job was to take care of the sheep while they eat.

Today, while I was eating my breakfast I heard sounds of battle outside. It was the neighboring village! I rushed outside and did whatever I could to help our village.

The next day all of us were weary for battle and the bullets for the muskets had finished. We decided we needed more weapons for future battles.

Entry 2 - Slavery

As we needed weapons to fight our enemies I was traded away. I was taken away by some of the village elders to some unknown place. I thought it would be for the initiation but I was wrong. I am now in a sack being dragged away by white people.

I heard noises, all around me… The noises were laughing, taunting me as I was being dragged somewhere. I couldn’t breathe and then I could hear shouting, wherever they were going to take me I knew it wouldn’t be good.

People who got tired either died of exhaustion or were killed by the white men.

Entry 3 - On A Boat

Conditions on the ship were terrible. We were all forced into a space under the boat. It was very tight and crowded down there. Some of us were made to row while me and the others were shackled to the floor.

We were given very little food over the next few days and it was unbearable. We could not go to the toilet so some of us relieved ourselves on the spot we were on. It was stinky and hot at the bottom of the ship, some of my friends had died on this ship because we were treated poorly. The women had broken thumbs because of the torture device the white men use; the thumbscrew!

We were whipped today because the rowers were slow, then they threw salty water on us; the pain was unbearable. We were then moved back into the bottom of the ship. I can't take it anymore, I have to get out.

Entry 4 -The Farm

When we arrived we were thrown out of the ship and rounded up in the middle of a busy place. People were shouting and some of us were exchanged for money. I felt confused to what a man was saying as he was speaking really quickly, People were poking and touching me. I was bought by a nice looking man who’s wife was very violent and vicious to slaves. They were called the Smiths. When I arrived at their house I was quickly rushed to the fields to work.

During the next few weeks I worked endless hours with little food and sleep. If we took a rest or collapsed my master’s wife would whip us continually shouting at us to get up and work.

We slept in small cramped spaces and weren’t treated very nicely. I dream of a day when we could escape and see our families again.

Part 2

One of my friends died today. It was in the morning while he was working in the fields like he did everyday when he suddenly fell to the floor. I rushed to help him up but my master’s wife pushed me away, she continued whipping him continuously while he was groaning in pain.

There were new slaves that came in today and all of them were reluctant to do anything the white men said; they were all killed on the spot. Mr. Smith our master did not want the slaves to be killed, however his wife persuaded him that we were not to be trusted.

Epilogue 

A few days later the slaves in the neighbouring farm revolted and Akinkawon decided to join them, however the rebellion was crushed and they all were executed. However his bravery was unforgotten and a second rebellion happened a few years later; that rebellion succeeded and a few months later slavery was abolished.