Many people know the story of Abdul Rahman ibn Ibrahim Sori, an African prince who was stolen from his kingdom and sold as a slave to the United States. In 1788, Abdul Rahman and his men were sent to solve a coastal trade conflict in the Fouta Jallon region (Asante 233). The enemy troops kidnapped the royal and sold him to the British slave ship captain. Abdul Rahman spent 40 years as a slave, during which some of his cultural aspects like identity, traditions, and family values were dramatically disrupted. However, his language knowledge, religion, and leadership skills were helpful to resist the power of slavery and American colonialism. Although Abdul Rahman managed to end his enslavement, financial and social outcomes cannot be ignored. Abdul Rahman’s life as a slave has its consequences on cultural awareness like identity, family issues, traditions, language, and religion, and long-term effects on descendants.
Slavery in America was a significant period when people had to live under limited conditions and prove their dignity, dealing with disrupted experiences and concerns. Abdul Rahman continued talking about his family and status, but his royal priorities were not enough to confirm his identity and return to his family (Kalin and Duke). He had a master, Thomas Foster, who discovered by his knowledge, intelligence, and personality that he was of noble birth” (Asante 233). Although Foster named Abdul Rahman as “Prince,” his identity was damaged because he had neither decision-making rights nor independence. In addition, the slave was not able to follow his traditions but accept the American style of life and be shaved as all African people. After being freed, the man never met his parents and children and never saw his native land, which had a deep imprint on emotional well-being.
At the same time, Abdul Rahman’s example proved that enslavement should be treated as the end of the world, and this man demonstrated a number of skills that allowed him to survive that horrendous period. Despite the existing restrictions, Abdul Rahman never forgot his religion and addressed Allah each time he wanted to ask for help or give thanks. His political education and awareness of at least five languages helped him be noticed and respected by other slaves. Finally, he demonstrated strong leadership abilities and the possibility to set and achieve goals. In several decades, Abdul Rahman became a foreman at Foster’s plantation, with his own garden and some freedom to sell goods at the market (Asante 234). His life in colonial America was not easy, but his knowledge and readiness for action made it possible to survive and be free.
The descendants of Abdul Rahman could not neglect the long-term effects of that experience. When the man was released without payment, his wife and nine children could obtain the same freedoms for free. Abdul Rahman and his wife began gathering additional funds and contacting the country’s leaders to ask for justice but saved two sons only (Asante 234). Still, slaves did not have good health, and fever took Abdul Rahman’s life before he reunited with his children. His legacy is in the books and documentaries about slaves’ intentions to become free, use their knowledge, create funds for protection, and expand family ties.
In conclusion, Abdul Rahman’s story is a remarkable adventure about how to acquire freedom under the most unfavorable conditions. Although his end was tragic and unfair, his life served as a strong motivation for many slaves across the globe. He was ready to share his experience and proved that religious beliefs, knowledge, and leadership skills could help even when identity, traditions, and family support were disrupted. Today, Abdul Rahman’s descendants recognized Foster’s plantation as the place where their family was founded.
Work Cited
Asante, Molefi Kete. The History of Africa: The Quest for Eternal Harmony. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2019.
Kalin, Andrea, and Bill Duke, directors. Prince Among Slaves. Spark Media, 2008.