Slavery in Egypt

Slavery in Egypt was practiced until the early 20th century. It was different from slavery in ancient Egypt because it followed Islamic law after the Caliphate took control in the 7th century. The practice slowly ended in the late 19th century when the slave trade was banned, though some people were still held as slaves until the 1930s.

During this time, slaves in Egypt were mainly divided into three groups. Some men were used as soldiers and helpers in government work. Some women were kept in homes, including special places called harems. Others were used for work around the house or on farms. Most of these enslaved people came from Europe, the Caucasus, the Sudan, or Africa south of the Sahara through the Trans-Saharan slave trade.

Even today, Egypt is a place where some people are forced to work against their will or made to do things they do not want to do. The government has been working to stop these bad activities in recent years.

Abbasid Egypt

See also: History of concubinage in the Muslim world, Islamic views on concubinage, Ma malakat aymanukum, Qiyan, Jarya, Abd (Arabic), Khawal, and Slavery in the Abbasid Caliphate

Egypt was ruled by the Abbasid Caliphate from 750 to 935. During this time, slavery followed rules set by Islamic law, but had its own special ways.

Slaves in Egypt came from many places. Some were traded under peace agreements, like between Egypt and Nubia, where Nubia sent slaves to Egypt in return for goods. Others were captured during raids in places where Egypt had no peace agreements. Some slaves were even taken from Egypt itself, against the law.

In cities like Fusṭāṭ, many slaves were sold. They came from many different lands and had many jobs, from serving in homes to important tasks for their owners. Many slaves were born into slavery or brought in from outside the Islamic world. Because of Islamic rules encouraging freedom for slaves, Egypt needed a constant supply of new slaves to keep the system going.

Fatimid Caliphate: 969–1171

During the Fatimid Caliphate, which ruled Egypt from 969 to 1171, many people were brought to Egypt from lands far away. Some were used for jobs like soldiers and helpers. Women were often used to help in homes or to serve in important places.

There were different groups of people brought in for these roles. Some came from places near Africa, others from Europe, and more from other areas. In these important homes, women had many jobs, from helping with housework to taking care of children. Some were chosen for special roles because of where they came from.

Men were used for hard work, to guard important places, and sometimes in battles. Some men, known as eunuchs, had big jobs helping leaders make decisions and keep things running smoothly. These men came from many different places and were trusted with very important tasks.

Ayyubid Sultanate: 1171–1250

The Ayyubid Sultanate (1171–1250) included both Egypt and Syria, and slavery in these areas shared a common history during the Ayyubid dynasty.

African slaves were brought into Egypt through trade routes from Sudan and other regions. Slaves also came from places like West Africa, the Red Sea, and Central Asia. Some slaves were captured in wars, including people from the Crusader states.

In Egypt, there were more female slaves than male slaves. Many female slaves worked in homes or were chosen for close service within royal households. Male slaves were often used in military roles, especially those from Turkish or Circassian backgrounds.

Mamluk Sultanate: 1250–1517

During the Mamluk Sultanate era (1250–1517), Egyptian society was built around a system where certain people were used for specific jobs. Men from places like Central Asia and the Black Sea were often taken to serve as soldiers. Women were used for different kinds of work inside homes.

Slaves came from many places. People from Central Asia and the Black Sea were taken for soldier roles, while others from Africa and Europe were brought in for various tasks. The trade of people continued during this time, with routes stretching from Africa through the Middle East to Europe.

Ottoman Egypt: 1517–1805

The Ottoman Empire took control of Egypt in 1517 and ruled it until 1805. During this time, slavery continued much as it had before. Slaves came from different places. Some were used as soldiers, while others worked in homes or did hard labor.

Slaves were brought to Egypt through several routes. African slaves came from areas like Sudan. Trade routes across the Sahara Desert were used to bring these slaves. Even though some trade routes, like the one from the Balkans, closed, others, like the trade from the Black Sea, stayed open. Slaves from places like Crimea could end up far away, even in Egypt.

In Egypt during this time, many soldiers were slaves themselves. These soldiers, called Mamluks, were often from places like the Caucasus or Georgia. Rich Mamluk leaders often married women who had also been slaves. Some of these women worked in homes, while others became wives or companions to their husbands.

There were also many women who worked as servants in homes. The idea that slavery was kind to these women was sometimes used to justify it, even though many came from poor backgrounds. Overall, slaves in Egypt came from many different places and had many different roles in society.

Ottoman Egypt Trans-Saharan slave trade Balkan slave trade Black Sea slave trade Crimean slave trade Mamluk Murad Bey Nafisa al-Bayda harems Ottoman Egypt

Muhammad Ali dynasty: 1805–1953

Egypt became independent during the Muhammad Ali dynasty (1805–1914). Slavery was still an important part of society during the 19th century.

It is estimated that there were at least 30,000 slaves in Egypt at any time during the 1800s. Slaves came from different places. Some were from Africa and used as soldiers or farm workers. Others were from places like the Caucasus and worked in homes or in special living areas called harems.

The slave trade to Egypt was stopped in steps between 1877 and 1884. While slavery itself wasn’t immediately banned, it slowly ended after the slave trade was stopped. By the 1930s, slavery had mostly disappeared in Egypt.

Slave trade

Further information: Turco-Egyptian conquest of Sudan (1820–1824)

Slave traders in Egypt were often from certain areas and formed groups. Cairo was a major center for trading slaves. Slaves were brought to Egypt from Africa through several routes, including from places like Darfur and Ethiopia.

White slaves were also brought from areas near the Black Sea. Most slaves during this time were women or black men, while white male slaves became less common.

Slave market

Military slavery was a big part of the slave market until the mid-1800s. Women and eunuchs were mainly used in homes or harems. Agriculture also became a new area where slaves were used during the 19th century.

Agricultural slavery

The use of Sudanese people in farming became common under Muhammad Ali and his successors. The growing of crops, especially cotton, created a need for more workers, and slaves were used on large estates.

Harem slavery

The royal harems of the Muhammad Ali dynasty were modeled after those of the Ottoman Empire. These harems included many enslaved women who served in various roles. Some were chosen to live with the ruler, while others worked as servants. Over time, these practices changed, especially after laws were made to stop the slave trade.

Military slavery

Muhammad Ali prepared an army using enslaved Sudanese people. They were trained and given new clothes and taught about Islam. Many did not survive the journey or the harsh conditions. Later, local Egyptians were recruited for the army instead.

Abolition and aftermath

The British, who influenced Egypt after 1882, started campaigns against slavery. Laws were passed to stop the slave trade, and slaves were given the right to seek freedom. These changes led to the gradual end of slavery in Egypt. By the early 1900s, slavery was no longer common.