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John Thabiti Willis, Associate Professor of African History at The Africa Institute, shed light on the experiences of enslaved individuals in the Gulf region from 1925 to 1938 during a Faculty Seminar held on Monday, February 20, 2023.
As an expert in Gulf history and an award-winning author, Professor Willis conducted research titled “Using Geographic Information Systems to Map and Analyze the Itineraries of Enslaved People Working and Seeking Freedom in the Gulf, 1925-1938.” The study utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map and analyze the journeys of nearly 900 enslaved people who sought freedom from slavery by petitioning British political agents in Bahrain, Muscat, and Sharjah.
“History is not merely a reflection of the past; it is a vessel through which we understand the complexities of human experiences and strive for a more inclusive future,” said Professor Willis, a scholar of the social and cultural history of Africa in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean Worlds with a Ph.D. in History from Emory University, USA.
During the seminar, Professor Willis focused on the narratives of three individuals whose names have been changed to maintain privacy: Saeeda, Faraj, and Ahmad. Saeeda, a Yemeni woman, recounted her traumatic journey through multiple slave owners before escaping with her daughter and seeking manumission in Bahrain. Faraj, originally from Taif, described his life as a slave in Qatar and Najd, enduring harsh treatment and escaping to Bahrain in search of freedom. Ahmad, who was kidnapped by Bedouins, shared his ordeal of being sold into slavery and his subsequent escape to Bahrain.
The study highlighted the gendered and racialized aspects of slavery, examining the factors that shaped the experiences of enslaved individuals and their fight for freedom. By analyzing British manumission records, which documented details such as age, family background, and years of enslavement, the research provided insights into the cultural, demographic, and economic conditions of the Gulf during that period.
Professor Willis also addressed the limited representation of divers in heritage sites and historical narratives surrounding the pearling industry in the Gulf. Traditionally, these sites focused on merchants and boat captains, while divers’ contributions and struggles were overlooked. The research challenged this prevailing narrative and called for a more inclusive representation of the divers’ experiences.
According to Professor Willis, maps played a dual role: they stored historical data and provided a spatial framework for data layers and analysis. Through the use of GIS technology, the study employed three different map types to visually represent the journeys of enslaved individuals. Firstly, a distributive flow map depicted the movement of people from various origins to a specific destination, showcasing the routes taken by the enslaved. Secondly, a proportionate symbol map utilized distinct symbols for males and females to indicate the number of enslaved individuals in different locations. Lastly, a spider diagram connected points on a map, illustrating the routes traveled by individuals and the places where they sought freedom.
The presentation of this research not only contributed to understanding the history of slavery in the Gulf but also emphasized the significance of using GIS in historical analysis. By mapping and analyzing the journeys of enslaved individuals, the study aimed to provide a comprehensive and inclusive perspective on the heritage and histories of the region.
The research acknowledged the support of various institutions and individuals that made this study possible. It also recognized the relevance of this work to artists in Bahrain and highlighted the need for further conversations regarding the limitations of manumission records. Overall, this research shed light on the often-overlooked experiences of enslaved people in the Gulf, offering a deeper understanding of their struggles for freedom and the importance of inclusive historical narratives.
Over the past decade, Professor Willis has dedicated his research to uncovering the historical and cultural significance of Africa’s contributions to pearling in the Gulf. His research utilized a range of sources, including museum exhibits, manumission records, and heritage performances. In his latest project, Professor Willis collected oral histories through ethnography and geographic information system methodologies to analyze the biographies of individuals involved in the pearling industry.
John Thabiti Willis, Associate Professor of African History at The Africa Institute, shed light on the experiences of enslaved individuals in the Gulf region from 1925 to 1938 during a Faculty Seminar held on Monday, February 20, 2023.
John Thabiti Willis, Associate Professor of African History at The Africa Institute, shed light on the experiences of enslaved individuals in the Gulf region from 1925 to 1938 during a Faculty Seminar held on Monday, February 20, 2023.
As an expert in Gulf history and an award-winning author, Professor Willis conducted research titled “Using Geographic Information Systems to Map and Analyze the Itineraries of Enslaved People Working and Seeking Freedom in the Gulf, 1925-1938.” The study utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map and analyze the journeys of nearly 900 enslaved people who sought freedom from slavery by petitioning British political agents in Bahrain, Muscat, and Sharjah.
“History is not merely a reflection of the past; it is a vessel through which we understand the complexities of human experiences and strive for a more inclusive future,” said Professor Willis, a scholar of the social and cultural history of Africa in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean Worlds with a Ph.D. in History from Emory University, USA.
During the seminar, Professor Willis focused on the narratives of three individuals whose names have been changed to maintain privacy: Saeeda, Faraj, and Ahmad. Saeeda, a Yemeni woman, recounted her traumatic journey through multiple slave owners before escaping with her daughter and seeking manumission in Bahrain. Faraj, originally from Taif, described his life as a slave in Qatar and Najd, enduring harsh treatment and escaping to Bahrain in search of freedom. Ahmad, who was kidnapped by Bedouins, shared his ordeal of being sold into slavery and his subsequent escape to Bahrain.
The study highlighted the gendered and racialized aspects of slavery, examining the factors that shaped the experiences of enslaved individuals and their fight for freedom. By analyzing British manumission records, which documented details such as age, family background, and years of enslavement, the research provided insights into the cultural, demographic, and economic conditions of the Gulf during that period.
Professor Willis also addressed the limited representation of divers in heritage sites and historical narratives surrounding the pearling industry in the Gulf. Traditionally, these sites focused on merchants and boat captains, while divers’ contributions and struggles were overlooked. The research challenged this prevailing narrative and called for a more inclusive representation of the divers’ experiences.
According to Professor Willis, maps played a dual role: they stored historical data and provided a spatial framework for data layers and analysis. Through the use of GIS technology, the study employed three different map types to visually represent the journeys of enslaved individuals. Firstly, a distributive flow map depicted the movement of people from various origins to a specific destination, showcasing the routes taken by the enslaved. Secondly, a proportionate symbol map utilized distinct symbols for males and females to indicate the number of enslaved individuals in different locations. Lastly, a spider diagram connected points on a map, illustrating the routes traveled by individuals and the places where they sought freedom.
The presentation of this research not only contributed to understanding the history of slavery in the Gulf but also emphasized the significance of using GIS in historical analysis. By mapping and analyzing the journeys of enslaved individuals, the study aimed to provide a comprehensive and inclusive perspective on the heritage and histories of the region.
The research acknowledged the support of various institutions and individuals that made this study possible. It also recognized the relevance of this work to artists in Bahrain and highlighted the need for further conversations regarding the limitations of manumission records. Overall, this research shed light on the often-overlooked experiences of enslaved people in the Gulf, offering a deeper understanding of their struggles for freedom and the importance of inclusive historical narratives.
Over the past decade, Professor Willis has dedicated his research to uncovering the historical and cultural significance of Africa’s contributions to pearling in the Gulf. His research utilized a range of sources, including museum exhibits, manumission records, and heritage performances. In his latest project, Professor Willis collected oral histories through ethnography and geographic information system methodologies to analyze the biographies of individuals involved in the pearling industry.
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