The West African ethnicity of the enslaved in Jamaica

Newman, S. , Deason, M., Pitsiladis, Y., Salas, A. and Macaulay, V. (2013) The West African ethnicity of the enslaved in Jamaica. Slavery and Abolition, 34(3), pp. 376-400. (doi: 10.1080/0144039X.2012.734054)

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Abstract

The African ethnicity of New World slaves was highly significant for the transmission of African social, cultural and religious beliefs and practices. This study employs the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of present-day Jamaicans in order to assess the ethnic origins of their enslaved female ancestors (males, including white overseers and masters, do not contribute to mtDNA). The evidence suggests that the Gold Coast was the largest single source of Jamaican slaves who arrived, remained and survived in Jamaica. While this finding fits with some historical evidence, it refines the data contained within the Voyages: Transatlantic Slave Trade Database, which indicates that the Bight of Biafra provided the most enslaved Africans to Jamaica.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Macaulay, Dr Vincent and Pitsiladis, Dr Yannis and Newman, Professor Simon
Authors: Newman, S., Deason, M., Pitsiladis, Y., Salas, A., and Macaulay, V.
Subjects:D History General and Old World > DT Africa
F History United States, Canada, Latin America > F1201 Latin America (General)
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Statistics
Journal Name:Slavery and Abolition
ISSN:0144-039X
ISSN (Online):1743-9523
Published Online:14 November 2012

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