The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African | Page 7

or pointed iron to dig with. Sometimes we are
visited by locusts, which come in large clouds, so as to darken the air,
and destroy our harvest. This however happens rarely, but when it does,
a famine is produced by it. I remember an instance or two wherein this
happened. This common is often the theatre of war; and therefore when
our people go out to till their land, they not only go in a body, but
generally take their arms with them for fear of a surprise; and when
they apprehend an invasion they guard the avenues to their dwellings,
by driving sticks into the ground, which are so sharp at one end as to
pierce the foot, and are generally dipt in poison. From what I can
recollect of these battles, they appear to have been irruptions of one
little state or district on the other, to obtain prisoners or booty. Perhaps
they were incited to this by those traders who brought the European
goods I mentioned amongst us. Such a mode of obtaining slaves in
Africa is common; and I believe more are procured this way, and by
kidnapping, than any other[E]. When a trader wants slaves, he applies
to a chief for them, and tempts him with his wares. It is not
extraordinary, if on this occasion he yields to the temptation with as
little firmness, and accepts the price of his fellow creatures liberty with
as little reluctance as the enlightened merchant. Accordingly he falls on
his neighbours, and a desperate battle ensues. If he prevails and takes
prisoners, he gratifies his avarice by selling them; but, if his party be

vanquished, and he falls into the hands of the enemy, he is put to death:
for, as he has been known to foment their quarrels, it is thought
dangerous to let him survive, and no ransom can save him, though all
other prisoners may be redeemed. We have fire-arms, bows and arrows,
broad two-edged swords and javelins: we have shields also which cover
a man from head to foot. All are taught the use of these weapons; even
our women are warriors, and march boldly out to fight along with the
men. Our whole district is a kind of militia: on a certain signal given,
such as the firing of a gun at night, they all rise in arms and rush upon
their enemy. It is perhaps something remarkable, that when our people
march to the field a red flag or banner is borne before them. I was once
a witness to a battle in our common. We had been all at work in it one
day as usual, when our people were suddenly attacked. I climbed a tree
at some distance, from which I beheld the fight. There were many
women as well as men on both sides; among others my mother was
there, and armed with a broad sword. After fighting for a considerable
time with great fury, and after many had been killed our people
obtained the victory, and took their enemy's Chief prisoner. He was
carried off in great triumph, and, though he offered a large ransom for
his life, he was put to death. A virgin of note among our enemies had
been slain in the battle, and her arm was exposed in our market-place,
where our trophies were always exhibited. The spoils were divided
according to the merit of the warriors. Those prisoners which were not
sold or redeemed we kept as slaves: but how different was their
condition from that of the slaves in the West Indies! With us they do no
more work than other members of the community, even their masters;
their food, clothing and lodging were nearly the same as theirs, (except
that they were not permitted to eat with those who were free-born); and
there was scarce any other difference between them, than a superior
degree of importance which the head of a family possesses in our state,
and that authority which, as such, he exercises over every part of his
household. Some of these slaves have even slaves under them as their
own property, and for their own use.
As to religion, the natives believe that there is one Creator of all things,
and that he lives in the sun, and is girted round with a belt that he may
never eat or drink; but, according to some, he smokes a pipe, which is

our own favourite luxury. They believe he governs events, especially
our deaths or captivity; but, as for the doctrine of eternity, I do not
remember to have ever heard of it: some however believe in the
transmigration of souls in a certain degree. Those spirits, which are not
transmigrated, such as our dear friends or relations, they believe always
attend