Absolutely recommend it to any and all even slightly interested in an adventurous life of a prince, slavery in the south, the colonization. The film was premiered summer 2007 in cincinnati at the freedom center. Abdul raman was a prince of a kingdom in futz gallon, west africa. A prince among slaves was one of the more ambitious efforts to sell africanamericans on islam. Through his dramatic biography, prince among slaves will probe deeply into the transatlantic slave trade. A good read that would make a better motion picture. Prince among slaves this video was prince abdul rahman, he was a slave in america. Prince among slaves tells the story of abdul rahman, trilingual, a military general and heir to a west african nation the size of great britain, who did not return to. Osutulsa lecturer leading fivepart discussion series on. Prince among slaves in 1807, an irish ships surgeon recognized a slave at a mississippi produce market as the son of an african king who had saved his life many years earlier.
This paper shall outline the basics of the documentary, it relation with sylviane diouf book and how it theme and content message reflect on daily existence. Prince among slaves tells the story of abdul rahman, trilingual, a military general and heir to a west african nation the size of great britain, who did not return to africa for 40 years. Upon discovering his noble lineage, his slave master thomas foster, began referring to him as prince, a title he kept until his final days. Muslim journeys national endowment for the humanities award. Prince among slaves considered as a historical documentary directed, written and produced by andrea kaolin. The prince, as he had become known to local natchez, mississippi, residents, had been captured by warring tribesmen when he was 26 years old, sold to slavetraders, and. Buhnen, stephan, place names as an historical source. An african prince captured in war and sold into slavery. It is not only a remarkable story, but also the story of a remarkable man, who endured the humiliation of slavery. This book tells the littleknown story of abd alrahman ibrahima, a fulbe.
African muslims enslaved in the americas by sylviane diouf. Read sample a prince among slaves the true story of an african prince sold. Aired nationwide on pbs and still making a tour of the united states, the documentary claims to tell the story of an african muslim prince. His battle for freedom over forty years attracted the support of men such as president john quincy adams and he eventually became the most famous african in america. The author really knows how to weave a story and characters so alive that makes you sad to part with them when its over. Prince among slaves is a compelling narrative that takes the reader through the entire life history of abdulrahman ibrahima ibn sori. Mississippi reports 204 new covid19 cases 14 deaths tuesday. Isbn 9781608834204 1608834204 standard identifier 841887014236. Prince among slaves establishes its focus on the contrast between slavery, as barbaric idea and industry, and one individuals integrity and strength of will. Alford, terry, prince among slaves, 30th anniversary ed. Contents of this eventful period of history, and his story sheds new light on all its essential themes. The ocean crossed by the slave trade between africa and the. It is a true story based on the experiences of having been captured by slave traders from africa to the states.
Abdul rahman told the farmer that he was an african prince and that his father would give the farmer gold if. Prince among slaves considered as a historical documentary directed, written and produced by andrea kalin. Johnson is the president, founder and webmaster of, llc the african american literature book club. The prince, as he had become known to local natchez, mississippi residents, had been captured in war when he was 26 years old, sold to slave. Tells the true story of a little known african american hero, an african prince who was sold into slavery in the american south in 1788. Southern connecticut state universitys buley library and the new haven public library, are working together to encourage cultural awareness and understanding by showing the film prince among. Abdul rahman was a prince of a kingdom in futa jallon, west africa. This remarkably detailed book narrates the life of ibrahima, a fulani prince captured at the age of 26 and enslaved in the usa for 40 years, during which he lost neither his muslim faith nor his dignity both of which finally led to his freedom. In 1788 the slave ship africa, set sail from west africa and headed for america with its berth laden with a profitable but highly perishable cargohundreds of men. His name was abdul rahman ibrahima sori, and he remained enslaved for forty years, before ultimately regaining his freedom and returning to africa. Prince among slaves the reflection paper has to contain the following. According to alfords book prince among slaves, how does ibrahima deal with being a slave on a plantation.
The true story of prince abdulrahman, stolen from west africa and sold into slavery on a plantation in mississippi in 1788. The documentary is a production of unity productions foundation upf in association with spark media and duke media. Alford is a young historian who has documented and skillfully presented the story of a man unique among slaves. In this remarkable work, terry alford tells the story of abd al rahman ibrahima, a muslim slave who, in 1807, was recognized by an irish ships surgeon as the son of an african king who had saved his life many years earlier. Abdulrahman ibn ibrahima sori was a africanamerican nobleman and amir who was captured in the fouta jallon region of guinea, west africa and sold to slave traders in the united states in 1788. Prince among slaves marshall university has been awarded the muslim journeys bookshelf, a collection of books, films, and other resources that will introduce the american public to the complex history and culture of muslims in the u. In 1788 the slave ship africa, set sail from west africa and headed for america with its berth laden with a profitable but highly perishable cargohundreds of men, women and children bound in chains.
This film is a story of abdul rahman sori, a prince from west africa who had become a slave in the united states and got freedom 40 years later. Learn, discuss the prince among slaves mississippis. Six months later the survivors were sold in natchez, mississippi. Prince among slaves is a nationally broadcast documentary, which is now a part of a major humanities outreach project. Ibrahima was the son of a king of prosperous cattleraising people in an islamic area of west africa. Among henry clays documents, for the year 1829 we find the january 1 entry, prince ibrahima, an islamic prince sold into slavery 15 years ago, and freed with the stipulation that he return in this case the word return makes sense to africa, joined the black citizens of philadelphia as an honored guest in their new years day parade, up lombard. Prince among slaves by terry alford, alford, paperback. Prince among slaves abdul rahman soris story blog of. Taken abruptly from his home in africa, he was placed in the hands of slave traders. It tells the amazing story of an enslaved muslim prince from africa who had an incredible life story.
Based on, based upon the book, prince among slaves, by terry alford. Attendees viewed the documentary prince among slaves, which is based on a book by terry alford. Prince among slaves is a 2006 historical documentary directed, written and produced by. The lefthand side of the journal contains questions for you to answer during and after the film. In this remarkable work, terry alford tells the story of abd al rahman ibrahima, a muslim slave who, in 1807, was recognized by an irish ships. Beginning from its sources in africa, the film will examine the slave routes that brought enslaved africans like abdul rahman to america. An introduction with examples from southern senegambia and germany, in history in africa, vol.
Absolutely recommend it to any and all even slightly interested in an adventurous life of a prince, slavery in the south, the colonization society, henry clay and j. The true story of an african prince sold into slavery in the american south. Prince among slaves, which aired in february on pbs as part of public televisions black history month programming, is the story of abdul rahman ibrahima, an african prince who was captured by slave traders in 1788. The prince among slaves story is similar to alex haleys roots. He married a fellow slave, isabella, and they had nine children. Reflection on prince among slaves ths paper is a reflection of the documentary prince among slaves which is narrated by mos def and directed, produced and written by andrea kalin. After successfully running away from the plantation in the night, ibrahima returns to the foster plantation knowing he has a better chance of survival there than in this new land. Prince among slaves trailer youtube prince among slaves youtube based on a biography by northern virginia community college wikipedia, the. Study 25 terms prince among slaves flashcards quizlet. Prince among slaves abdul rahman soris story blog of aalbc. The film, prince among slaves was adapted from terry alfords 1977 book, prince among slaves. This film is a story of abdul raman sort, a prince from west africa who had become a slave in the united states and got freedom 40 years later.
Summary of a statement with regard to the moorish prince. During a war, he was captured and sold to english slave traders, and spent the next 40 years of his life as the property. Raouda said the prince was enslaved for 40 years but was able to keep his dignity. Prince among slaves terry alford oxford university press. The slave ship africa set sail from gambia, west africa, its berth laden with a profitable but highly perishable cargohundreds of men, women and children bound in chainsheaded to. Based on a biography by northern virginia community college history professor terry alford, prince among slaves chronicles abdulrahmans true life africanmuslimprinceturnedamerican slave drama cycle with historic and scholastic commentary along the way. The year 2007 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the publication of prince among slaves, the only full account of ibrahimas life, pieced together from firstperson accounts and historical documents gathered on three continents. The prince among slaves viewing guide that will help you record information about abdul rahmans life, and give you a place to record your reactions to what you see. This book by terry alford chronicles the life of abdul rahman sori ibrahima, a prisoner of war and prince of an african king.
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