Slave Voyages Experts Gregory O'Malley and Nafees M. Khan (The Moreish Podcast)

Delve into the harrowing history of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade with experts Nafees M. Khan and Gregory O’Malley, who shed light on the complexities and nuances of this dark chapter in Caribbean and African history.

This bonus episode of the podcast features a captivating, in-depth conversation with Nafees M. Khan and Gregory O’Malley, key contributors to the Operational Committee of Slave Voyages database.

The Slave Voyages Database

The online database and website comprises several decades of independent and collaborative research by scholars, and meticulously documents the origins and forced relocation of enslaved African people across the Atlantic world. More than 12 million African people were sent across the Atlantic in slave ships in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and hundreds of thousands more were trafficked within the Americas in the Intra-American Slave Trade.

The Slave Voyages database is an essential tool for anyone interested in learning about this dark time in history. It comprises four interconnected databases:

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database: Records individual ship voyages that forcibly transported African people to the Americas.
The Intra-American Slave Trade Database: Documents voyages where enslaved people were moved within the Americas.
The African Origins Database: Contains records of enslaved Africans liberated from captured ships, notably including their African names.
The Enslavers Database: Compiles information on individuals and companies who invested in and profited from the slave trade.

These databases are constantly being updated as new research emerges, ensuring the most accurate and comprehensive record of the slave trade.

The focus of the episode

In the episode we focus on the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the forced movement of people from Africa to the Caribbean. Khan and O’Malley dive into:

Why Africa, and the motivations behind the focus on Africa for the slave trade.
The global networks within the coastal kingdoms on the continent of Africa, the complexities of African participation, power dynamics and who profited.
The European countries who were the perpetrators of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, and particularly the movement of people to the Caribbean.

Navigating the Database: Expert Tips

Khan and O’Malley provide valuable advice for effectively using the Slave Voyages database. They recommend:

Utilizing the time-lapse feature to visualize the scale and patterns of the trade.
Exploring the detailed voyage entries by clicking on individual dots in the time-lapse animation.
Refining searches by specifying date ranges, destinations, and origins.
Employing the various visualization options like maps, charts, and timelines.

Beyond the Database: Further Explorations

The episode concludes with a discussion of upcoming projects and resources. O’Malley shares insights into his forthcoming book, “The Escapes of David George,” which offers a humanizing perspective on the slave trade through the story of a remarkable individual.1920

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. Tune in to gain valuable insights from experts and learn about the power of historical databases in illuminating the past.