Final answer:
Enslaved persons in Africa were seen as valuable investments and used for labor in agriculture. Manumission was a rare occurrence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to exploration, enslaved persons in Africa were considered to be an investment for their enslavers. They were seen as a sign of their enslavers' wealth and were often used for labor in agriculture. While manumission was possible for some enslaved persons, it was not a common practice.
Learn more about Enslaved persons in Africa