User:Desertarun/sandbox/coffle

Though the forts handled regular flows of captive Africans from African traders, through the holding cells and dungeons, thence on to the slave ships, they also guarded supplies of gold from the fabled Ashanti region to the north. Buying and accumulating coffles of Africans did not require the protection of such massive fortifications, and most traders successfully traded far away from the forts in villages, on beaches, or on board their ships. walvin 35#

THE MARCH TO THE COAST. Until 1600, most African slaves sold to Europeans livedwithin 50 miles (80 km) of the west coast. As the demand forslaves increased, the slave trade reached deeper into Africa.50 · The Slave TradeSome African kingdoms assembled large armies that wouldburn whole towns and take hundreds of prisoners as slaves. It was more common, however, for smaller groups of armedmen to make raids.African traders often delivered slaves hundreds of milesto the coast. The slaves were tied together, sometimes ingroups of 50 or more. Groups of chained slaves, known ascoffles, were a common sight in Africa in the 1700s. Tornfrom their villages, many captives died of hunger, thirst,exhaustion, or suicide on these trips. kachur51

AA coffle is marched to the African coast,while the slave traders slaughter a captive who is sick or injured.kachur51

Venture Smith, an African born in Guinea in 1729, was eight years old when he was captured. Many years later, hestill remembered the attack on his village, the torture and murder of his father, and the long march to the coast. Hewrote, “The shocking scene is to this day fresh in my mindand I have often been overcome thinking about it.” Smith was sold for 4 gallons (15 l) of rum and a piece of cloth. kachur 51