Abstract
This thesis examines the nature and transformation of indigenous slavery in Denkyira, a prominent Akan state in what is now Ghana, from the fifteenth century to the rise of the Atlantic slave trade. It argues that slavery in Denkyira was founded on kinship ties, moral principles, and social obligations, and it should not be mistaken for the harsher Atlantic system. The study employs several types of evidence, such as oral traditions, archival sources from the Public Records and Archives Administrative Department of Ghana, translated Portuguese and Dutch sources, and interviews with traditional elders and linguists. This approach emphasizes African voices and viewpoints that are often overlooked in mainstream histories of slavery.The thesis presents three key findings. First, indigenous slavery among the Akan was governed by customary law, spiritual belief, and kinship structures that recognized the humanity of the enslaved even while exploiting their labor. Second, enslaved peoples’ experiences varied greatly. Their lives were determined by how they became enslaved, their position in the household or state, and/or the moral rules that governed their treatment. Third, this system was gradually altered by two factors working together: the rising Atlantic slave trade and Akan rulers' ambitious desire for wealth and military might. These shifts transformed servitude from social duty to commercialization and exploitation. By focusing on Denkyira, the thesis questions narratives that depict Africans as either victims of European exploitation or willing marketers of their own people. Instead, it contends that both African agency and European desire shaped this development. Understanding this complexity is essential for any accurate portrayal of slavery in West Africa.