y the emperor's orders. This island is
the state-prison of the empire.]

219

ON THE STATE OF SLAVERY
IN MUHAMEDAN AFRICA.

The state of slavery in this country is very different from that
which is experienced by the unfortunate men who are transported
from Africa to work under our Christian brethren in the West India
islands. No man, who is sufficiently erudite to read the Koran can
be (_abd_) a slave in a Muhamedan country. It is incumbent on a
good muselman to give such his liberty, that the propagation of the
(_Deen el Wasah_[160]) muselman faith, be not impeded. A man who
has served his master faithfully[161] seven years, sometimes gets
liberated. This liberation, however, is not compulsory; but
conscientious muselmen, of good moral character, often adopt this
enlarging system. I have, however, met with many Moors, who, on
offering liberty to their slaves, the latter have declined it,
preferring to continue in obeisance; a clear proof that their
servitude is not very severe. All slaves, without exception, are
brought to this country from the various territories of Sudan, by
the akkabars, kaffilas, or caravans, that traverse Sahara. They are
all pagans or idolaters (from the interior regions). They are worth
220 from ten to twenty dollars at Timbuctoo; and at Marocco and Fas
they sell for, from seventy to one hundred dollars. They are
received into the Moorish families as domestic servants, and soon
forget their idolatrous superstitions, and become (nominally at
least) Muhamedans. After which, many learn to read the Koran, and
becoming observers of ablution and prostration, often procure their
liberation; for if any one should neglect to liberate such a slave,
his brethren in Muhamed will urge him to it, as a good and
charitable work, becoming a true, muselman.[162]

[Footnote 160: So called by Muhamedans: _literally_ means the
liberal of _wide doctrine_, alluding to that of the Arabian
Prophet.]

[Footnote 161: Jeremiah, xxxiv. 14.]

[Footnote 162: The etymology of _muselman_ is, a man of peace;
from _salem_, peace.]

The man who wrote the letter from Timbuctoo, giving his master at
Mogodor an account of Mungo Park, having visited Kabria, which
letter I