The Glossary lists key historical and contemporary terms related to the transatlantic slave trade. These words are used across the website and particularly in the Themes and Use of language.
There are currently 22 Terms in this directory beginning with the letter A.
Abolition
Literally ‘bringing to an end’; in this context the campaign to end the slave trade and slavery
Affirmative action
A policy to increase representation from people in groups believed to have suffered discrimination
Afrika
An alternative spelling of Africa, reflecting how it is spelt in many African languages; it is also used to indicate an Afro-centric viewpoint
Afro-centric
A philosophical and theoretical perspective from an African point of view; it challenges Africa’s philosophical, economical and cultural marginalization by the West
Akan
Akan people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Ghana and the Ivory Coast, in West Africa, who share a common culture and language
Apprentice
A person who learns a craft or trade by working for a specialist or master for an agreed period, usually at low wages
Aristocracy
An upper class within society which is usually based on birth and is richer and more powerful than all other members
Artefact
A usually simple object showing human work and representing culture or a stage of development in culture
Asante
Asante people are members of an ethnic group from areas of Ghana, in West Africa, who share a common culture and language
Asiento
In the history of slavery this term refers to the permission given by the Spanish government to other countries to sell people as slaves to the Spanish colonies, between the years 1543 and 1834. In British history, it usually refers to the contract between Spain and Great Britain created in 1713 that dealt with the supply of enslaved Africans for the Spanish territories in the Americas.