Представления о географии арабской работорговли XIX в. в современной Танзании: результаты полевого исследования

Восток. Афро-азиатские общества: история и современность. 2020. № 1. С. 82–93.

Banshchikova A., Брындина В. Н., Ivanchenko O.

The article highlights the results of field research conducted in Tanzania in 2018-2019, focused on the historical memory of the Arab slave trade in East Africa and the Indian Ocean in the 19th century and its influence on the interethnic relations in the country nowadays. Over 130 structured and non-structured interviews were done in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Kaole, Tanga, Pangani, and Zanzibar. Respondents were asked what they remember about the slave trade, who were the slave traders, to which countries slaves were shipped finally, which tribes were the most affected, or, on the contrary, tribes and leaders which were involved in this business and were selling their tribesmen to the traders, etc.

This article summarizes Tanzanians’ perceptions of the 19th century slave trade geography, specifically locations in the country that are known for being related to these tragic events, and directions of the export of slaves from Zanzibar, the main slave market in the region.

It became clear that the most famous geographical point on the continent is Bagamoyo, which is positioned as the main exit point of the mainland, from which slaves were taken to Zanzibar. This contradicts historical reality, but allows the city, which has many advantages and a truly rich history, to become the leading direction of domestic tourism in the country. Speaking about the final destination, where slaves were taken, a huge number of respondents named Europe. The article offers an explanation of this situation.

Keywords: historical memory, историческая память, Восточная Африка, Танзания, работорговля, Tanzania, East Africa, slave trade