Final answer:
In "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano," there were different attitudes among Africans towards slavery. Some Africans preferred death to slavery due to cultural and religious reasons, while others accepted enslavement due to economic and political reasons.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano," there were different attitudes among Africans towards slavery. Some Africans preferred death to slavery, while others accepted enslavement. Here are two reasons for each of these attitudes:
Reasons why some Africans preferred death to slavery:
- Cultural reasons: For some Africans, slavery was seen as a fate worse than death due to the loss of freedom and the inhumane treatment endured by slaves. They valued their independence and dignity, and would rather die than live in bondage.
- Religious reasons: Some Africans believed that death would free their spirits from the physical suffering of slavery and allow them to return to their ancestors. They saw death as a release from the hardships of life as a slave.
Reasons why some Africans did not prefer death to slavery:
- Economic reasons: Slavery provided a solution to labor shortages in African societies. Enslaved Africans could work in the fields or tend to herds, helping to support their households. Being enslaved, although not comfortable or easy, could still allow for some level of participation in the community and the opportunity to regain freedom in certain cases.
- Political reasons: Wars among tribes and kingdoms in Africa led to the enslavement of captives. Some Africans who were enslaved may have come from rival groups and saw enslavement as a consequence of political conflicts. In these cases, accepting enslavement could have been seen as a way to survive and avoid further harm.