African Muslims in Antebellum America: Transatlantic Stories and Spiritual Struggles

Possessors of strong identities and a powerful faith, African Muslims made an impressive but understudied impact on America. From their proud insistence on covering their bodies, praying to one God, reading and writing in Arabic, and adhering to positive attitudes about Africa and Islam throughout the Antebellum period, these Africans aroused much apprehension in and commanded many accommodations from their American purchasers. As many were experienced leaders in political, religious, commercial, military or agricultural matters in Africa -- some were returned to Africa while others became leaders within the slave system in America.

A condensation and updating of his African Muslims in Antebellum America: A Sourcebook (1984), noted scholar of antebellum black writing and history Dr. Allan D. Austin explores, via portraits, documents, maps, and texts, the lives of 50 sub-Saharan non-peasant Muslim Africans caught in the slave trade between 1730 and 1860. Also includes five maps.

A condensation and updating of the author's African Muslims in Antebellum America: A Sourcebook, this book features the stories of nearly 80 Africans brought to America as slaves between 1730 and 1860. What was unusual about these slaves is that they were Muslims and that they left some sort of documentary record of their presence. Many came from elite classes--one was a military officer, several were schoolteachers, and another was studying to become a religious leader. Using the fragments of evidence still available, Allan D. Austin tells a compelling story that illuminates aspects of American history that are too little known.