'File 5/193 II (B 38) Slavery in the Gulf' [‎14r] (32/475)

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT.
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EASTERN (Arabia). March 27, 1930.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[E 1658/1054/91]
Memorcwdum concerning the existence of Slavery and Slave Trading along the
Eastern and South-Eastern Coasts of Arabia.
THE position in so far as slavery in Red Sea coastal countries is concerned ib
discussed fully in the despatch of His Majesty's Charge d Affaires at Jedda, No. 60
of the 6th March. The conditions of slavery in the coastal area from Aden to
Koweit differ somewhat from those on the Red Sea coast of Arabia, owing to the
existence of the date-growing and pearl-fishing industries. As explained in
Mr. Bond's memorandum, the lot of the domestic slave compares very favourably
with the existence of the average free man of tribal Arabia. Of the two, the slave is
perhaps the more certain of securing the absolute necessities of life. The conditions
of life of slaves working in the date gardens of Oman or employed in the pearl
fishing industry of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. approximate to the European conception of
slavery as it existed in the American and West Indian plantations of the 18th
century. The status of slavery is recognised in the Koran, and slavery has existed
in Arabia for centuries, the slave population being maintained not so much by the
importation of fresh slaves from abroad, as by the practice of slave-owners providing
wives for their slaves, their offspring being brougnt up to know no condition other
than slavery. To expect Arabia to abandon slavery otherwise than as the result of a
very gradual process of education would be futile. To attempt to secure its
abolition, by wide measures of coercion would be useless. From time to time it is
possible for a British political agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. or for His Majesty s Legation at Jedda to
arrange for the manumission of a slave, but this practice cannot appreciably affect
the main situation.
»
EH. r
No. 1.
*
GGNhD£Jj7iAL ttcGGfiDS;
Suppression of Slave Trading.
To eliminate the existing slavery throughout Arabia is one problem, to stop the
further importation of slaves into Arabia is another.
Position under Treaty Arrangements.
Bahrein, the Trucial sheikhdoms and Muscat have formal engagements with
His Majesty s Government binding them to abstain from and to suppress slave
trading within their territories, and empowering His Majesty s Government to
search their vessels on their behalf not only on the high seas but in their own
territorial waters. There is no formal engagement with the Sheikh of Koweit, but
the degree of control exercised by His Majesty’s Government and the Government
of India may be held to form an effective check on slave trading in his territory.
Unfortunately, however, the rulers of these territories are not always really desirous,
or, being desirous, in a position, to respond to their treaty obligations, the Sheikh
of Dubai and the Sultan of Muscat being perhaps the worst delinquents.
Sources of Supply.
There are two traditional sources of supply : {a) Zanzibar and the east coast of
Africa; {b) the coastal region of Persian Baluchistan known as the Mekran. To
these may be added of late years a third, (c) interior Oman, but its function has been
more that of an entrepot than of a natural source of supply.
{a) The African and Zanzibar trade, as shown in Mr. Bond's memorandum, has.
dwindled not only because of the effect of punitive measures against slave carriers,
but also because the birth-rate among slaves imported into Arabia in earlier times
has sufficed to maintain the supply in a market which tends to diminish.
(b) The Mekran coast. From the fact that about 50 per cent, of the natives of
sich places as Matrah and Debai are Mekrani, it may reasonably be inferred that
slave trading with the Mekran has been carried on for years. A certain Birkhat