Seasoning (slavery)

Seasoning (slavery)

Seasoning was a process used during the Atlantic slave trade to acclimate and acculturate newly arrived enslaved Africans to the conditions of slavery in the Americas. This process was intended to break the spirit of the enslaved individuals and prepare them for a life of forced labor.

Process

The seasoning process typically took place on plantations in the Caribbean and involved a period of adjustment that could last from several months to a few years. During this time, enslaved Africans were subjected to harsh conditions, including physical punishment, inadequate food, and strenuous labor. The goal was to make them more compliant and to teach them the language and customs of their enslavers.

Purpose

The primary purpose of seasoning was to increase the economic value of enslaved individuals. Enslaved people who survived the seasoning process were considered more valuable because they were thought to be less likely to resist and more capable of performing the labor required on plantations. This process was also used to identify those who were deemed "unfit" for labor, often resulting in their sale at a lower price or their death.

Impact

The seasoning process had a profound impact on the lives of enslaved Africans. It was a brutal introduction to the realities of slavery and often resulted in high mortality rates. Those who survived were left physically and psychologically scarred. The process also contributed to the development of a distinct African American culture, as enslaved people from different regions and ethnic groups were forced to adapt and create new cultural identities.

Related pages

• Atlantic slave trade
• Middle Passage
• Plantation economy
• Slavery in the United States
• Caribbean history