The Revolt of African Slaves in Iraq in the 3rd/9th Century

by Alexandre Popovic, Leon King (Translator), Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Introduction)

The revolt of African slaves in Iraq from 869 to 883 C.E., known as the revolt of the Zanj, was one of the great rebellions of world history and the first major uprising in the history of the African diaspora. The Zanj were black slaves shipped overseas from East Africa to work in salt mines and plantations under the harshest conditions. Their fate resembled that of slaves sent across the Atlantic, and their revolt triggered racism against blacks among Arabs. Like the Spartacus revolt, it threatened a world power, in this case the Abbasid empire. The revolt also signified a unique instance of solidarity among Africans in the diaspora, when black soldiers of the Caliph deserted and joined the revolt. Popovic's book is the only full-length study in any major language on the revolt of the Zanj. Scholars of slavery, the African diaspora, and the Middle East have lauded and extensively quoted from the original French edition of Popovic's work.

Genres: History, Islam

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished:

"The Revolt of African Slaves in Iraq in the 3rd/9th Century"

By: Alexandre Popovic

Princeton, NJ: Markus Wiener Publishers, 1999.

A challenge to read but it also records an often forgotten area of history.

The author was originally from Yugoslavia and wrote the original in French.

The Zanj worked in salt mines and in horrible conditions before Ali b. Muhammad convinced members of the Zanj, East African Slaves to revolt against their masters. The Zanj eventually formed their own kingdom before the Abbisad Caliphate crushed roughly 20 years later. From the book, the Zanj owned slaves as well before their kingdom came crashing down.

[Zack · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the mood for a migraine? Try an English translation of a French dissertation written by a student from the former Yugoslavia. Brutal.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this work but ended up feeling somewhat disappointed. It felt more like a blow-by-blow account of the uprising than a true history.

There are maps, but they are at the end of the work.

Although it was perhaps not necessary for a study of the uprising, I would have liked more discussion of the social interaction between the Zanj and other members of the uprising.

All that being said, I'm glad to have read this.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abhorrent translation. Important information on Zanj revolt. One of the most comprehensive accounts.