A study has revealed that during the conquest of the Canary Islands by the Crown of Castile in the 15th and 16th centuries, many indigenous people were sold as slaves, primarily in Valencia and Seville. This research, conducted by Rocío Jiménez Díaz from the University of Teramo in Italy, was part of a collaborative programme with the public universities in the Canary Islands. It highlights how the enslavement of Canary Islanders served as a precursor to the later transatlantic slave trade.
According to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Jiménez Díaz has traced the enslavement dynamics and their integration into the emerging Atlantic trade routes, which ultimately contributed to the slave trade of millions of Africans in the following centuries.
The majority of those enslaved in the Canary Islands were taken to Valencia, where their market value was lower compared to Seville, due to Valencia’s role in redistributing goods within the Mediterranean and its reliance on other primary ports. The enslaved individuals were often exploited to settle debts and generate profits.
Most enslaved people were aged between 14 and 25, although records indicate the presence of individuals as young as 13 and others over 35. Both men and women were sold in these markets.
Jiménez Díaz argues that the history of the enslaved Amazigh people of the Canary Islands has often been overlooked in broader studies of slavery in Europe. Her research aims to provide a deeper understanding of their lives, including their origins, journeys, valuation, and the historical documentation of their experiences.
Moreover, she advocates for a change in the language used in historical accounts, preferring the term “enslaved person” over “slave,” as she believes the latter objectifies individuals. This shift in terminology aims to focus attention on the enslaver’s actions rather than reducing the enslaved to mere commodities.
Jiménez Díaz also addresses the cultural and linguistic disintegration faced by the enslaved individuals, noting that many were baptised and given Christian names, complicating records of their identities. Their forced relocation led to the adoption of European languages and customs, further eroding their original identities.
