Afro-Iraqis

Afro-Iraqis are Iraqi people of African Zanj heritage. Most are traditionally found in the southern port city of Basra, as Basra was the capital of the slave trade in Iraq.^[1] Afro-Iraqis speak Arabic and mostly adhere to Islam, although a dwindling minority still practices traditional African religions.^[2][3][4] Some Afro-Iraqis can still speak Swahili along with Arabic.^[5] Afro-Iraqi leaders claim that there are roughly between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 Afro-Iraqis, however this is not verified by official figures.^[6][7][8] Their origins date back to the time of the Arab slave trade of Black people from Sub-Saharan Africa between the 9th century AD to the 19th century AD.^[9][10]

History[]

Arab slave trade routes, showing that Africans from Zanzibar were enslaved and brought to Iraq

Basra was a hotspot for slave trading. Afro-Iraqis are the descendants of sailors, traders and mostly slaves that were brought to Iraq from the Zanj region. The term Zanj also used to describe them is attributed to Zanzibar, an island off of the coast of Tanzania. Slave trade begun by early Arab traders started in the 9th century and lasted over a millennium. Most of these slaves were imported to work in large dates and sugarcane plantations.^[3]

To protest their treatment, Zanj slaves from Basra staged an initially successful revolt (the Zanj Rebellion) against Baghdad, which lasted for 15 years (869–883). During this period the Zanj created the capital city of the Zanj state called Mukhtara, on the Abū Khasīb Canal. Their leader 'Ali b. Muhammad’ struck coins in his name and took the title of al-Mahdī. ^[11] In 883, the Army from Baghdad put down the revolt. Afterwards, locals did not engage in large-scale plantation-type slavery. Slavery lasted up until the late 19th century.^[3] However, there were reports of black-skinned slaves in Iraq as recently as 2008.^[12]

Social condition[]

Unlike in the Americas of the 19th century, slaves in the Middle East were allowed to own land and their children were generally not born into slavery. Also conversion to Islam precluded further servitude and gave freedom. Skin color played a distinctive role even amongst slaves. Many activists amongst Afro-Iraqis complain that they are unable to find opportunities to improve their social condition. Afro-Iraqis are big on performing music in the streets as it was their only way of making money when they weren’t allowed to receive paychecks at work.^[3][4] Afro-Iraqis also commonly get called “Abeed”, meaning slave in Arabic.^[13]

Heritage[]

Most Afro-Iraqis still are able to maintain rituals related to healing that are of Zanj origin. The languages used in these rituals are Swahili and Arabic. Instruments such as Drums and tambourines are used in these ceremonies. In a song called Dawa Dawa, the words are a mix of Arabic and Swahili. The song, which is about curing people, is used in the shtanga ceremony, for physical health. Another ceremony called nouba, takes its name from Arabic for paroxysm or shift, as Sophi performers take turns at chanting and dancing to ritualistic hymns.^[5] There are also unique ceremonies to remember the dead and for occasions such as weddings.^[3] Although the vast majority of Afro-Iraqis are Muslim, a shrinking minority still practices their native traditional African religions.^[14][15] Few Afro-Iraqis can still speak Swahili.^[5]

See also[]

• Afro-Arab
• Afro-Iranians
• Afro-Turks
• Afro-Palestinians
• Arab slave trade
• Afro-Saudis
• Swahili people
• Zanj
• Zanj Empire

References[]

External links[]

• The hidden Black Iraq