Is it true that slavery was endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa previous to the?

It’s true that slavery was very common in Sub-Saharan Africa before Europeans came to trade with them.

Think of your neighborhood, some kids have lemonade stands, and they trade with other kids for candy or toys. In ancient times, people in Sub-Saharan Africa did something similar but much bigger: slavery was like a big part of their everyday trading.

People would capture others from nearby villages or kingdoms, kind of like how sometimes you get taken out of your class by another class for a game. These captured people became slaves, and they were traded to other groups, just like how you trade toys with friends at recess. Sometimes slaves worked on farms, in homes, or even fought in battles.

Slavery wasn’t just about being mean, it helped people get goods they needed, like food, tools, and clothes. It was a way to grow stronger and richer, just like how trading toys helps you get better ones!

So, slavery was like the "lemonade stand" of ancient Africa, it was everywhere, and it helped people live better lives.