International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

Posted On: 2024-08-23 10:28:08

August 23rd marks International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, a global observance that commemorates the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade and celebrates the courageous efforts that led to its abolition. While this day primarily focuses on the experiences of those affected by the transatlantic trade, its relevance extends beyond the shores of the Atlantic, touching upon global histories of enslavement and exploitation. 

 

The transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas, is a poignant chapter in human history. However, it’s essential to recognize that slavery, in various forms, existed across different regions and epochs, including India. Indian history is replete with instances of servitude, including the forced labour systems and the indenture system, which have often been overshadowed by the broader focus on transatlantic slavery.

 

In ancient India, social stratification included various forms of servitude. The Varna system, which classified society into different classes, had mechanisms that sometimes relegated individuals to roles resembling servitude. Moving to more recent history, the colonial period witnessed the rise of indentured labour, a system that has many parallels with slavery. After the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, the British Empire, which controlled large parts of India, utilized indentured labour to fulfil labour shortages in its colonies, including in the Caribbean, South Africa, and Southeast Asia.

 

Indentured labourers from India were bound by contracts that promised employment in exchange for their passage, but the reality often fell far short of these promises. Many faced harsh working conditions, brutal treatment, and a loss of personal freedom, echoing the experiences of enslaved people in the Atlantic slave trade. The legacy of this system has left lasting impacts on the diaspora communities in various countries, shaping their histories and cultural identities.

 

The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition offers an opportunity to reflect on these interconnected histories. For India, it’s a day to acknowledge the resilience and contributions of those who endured forced labour and to educate ourselves about the multifaceted nature of exploitation and resistance. It’s a reminder that the fight against slavery and exploitation is not confined to any one region or historical period.

 

 

Even in Modern India, servitude exists in many forms. It is important to recognise that slavery need not be brutal to our standards. One of the ways where servitude still exists is in the confines of marriage. In her poem, Savitribai Phule writes

 

“Should they be called Humans?

The woman from dawn to dusk doth labour

The man lives off her toil, the freeloader

Even birds and beasts labour together

Should these idlers still be called humans?”

 

This poem explains how men benefit from women’s unpaid labour, i.e. housework, while he idealizes and enjoys leisure, which women have been devoid of. Under the guise of protection, women have been subjected to unseen bondage for years with their entire life being dependent on a man. Working-class people often have to tolerate long working hours, harsh working conditions, limited free time and lower pay. 

 

Similarly, casteism still exists in our society. This leaves vulnerable groups, like scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes dependent on the generosity of the upper caste. Disabled people have to make sure that able-bodied people are kind enough to help them because many public places are still not accessible to them. Finally, queer groups are still waiting for the day when they enjoy the same treatment as their hetero peers. 

 

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is a reminder that even if slavery has been abolished, servitude has not. It is a time to reflect on what changes are still yet to be made in our society. 

 

Filaantro and its crowdfunding partner, Child Help Foundation are committed to making the lives of everyone better. Together, we have made a positive impact in the lives of 48,45,101 people. 

 

AUTHOR: Adil Sayyad