Summary Of Abina And The Important Men By Olaudah Equiano

Analysis of Abina Mansah v. Quimina Eddoo

As argued by Olaudah Equiano, “I doubt not, if a system of commerce was established in Africa, the demand for manufactures would rapidly augment, as the native inhabitants would insensibly adopt the British fashions, manners, customs, etc.” (pg 181, WTWA). Equiano’s vision for a British Africa drove the colonization of West Africa and the creation of new plantations. In this new colony, there was the continued use of slavery until its abolishment by the Victorian empire. To a society who has always seen the value of using slave labor, the abolishment of slavery meant the complete change of their lives. This is demonstrated in the book Abina and the Important Men, a historical account of the life of

There was never anyone on Abina’s side except for her representative James Davis. He is willing to bring forth Abina’s case against Eddoo although he is unsure they will win. When it was time for Abina to testify she told the court everything she could to show them that she indeed was not a free woman while she was with Eddoo. She explained how she came to be a slave when she was captured during a war (pg 22). She explained how her first husband Yah Awoah bought her at told her she was his wife. He then left her with Eddoo. Eddoo’s lawyer was able to use her story and twist it so it seemed that she was free while serving Eddoo. The lawyer asked Abina that if she was ever paid for her services, but Abina pointed out that slaves were unpaid and Abina received no monetary funds, but only cloth and food. The defendants claimed, “In fact, it’s pretty obvious that you were paid, in cloth and in food.” (pg

Melton invited were leaders of the community and understood the cultural background of the situation. With his new jury, Melton asked for witnesses, especially the people named by Abina, to appear in court and give their interpretation of the situation. There was only one problem of this demand; many of the witnesses were under Eddoo’s control. Many of the witnesses did not make it to court; however, Eccoah and Yah Awoah made their presence known. Eccoah testified that Abina was simply a guest of Eddoo’s and she cared for her as a guest. Yah Awoah testified that he only left Abina in the care of Eddoo while he went to go and care for his brother. These claims angered Abina and she began yelling in court, “He is lying. He cannot dare say he did not sell me” (pg 66), thus making her look badly among the