International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition is a globally recognized holiday established by UNESCO to remember the millions of victims of the transatlantic slave trade. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the historical and contemporary consequences of the slave trade, promote intercultural dialogue, and reflect on the fight against all forms of exploitation and racial discrimination. These aspects help create understanding and respect for different cultural backgrounds, encouraging unity and harmony within diverse societies.

The history of this observance dates back to 23 August 1998, marking the anniversary of the 1791 insurrection in Santo Domingo that led to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Although New Zealand was not directly involved in this historical event, the country has a strong commitment to social justice and human rights. International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition encourages New Zealanders to explore the connections between their own history, the impacts of colonialism on Māori communities, and the broader context of the global fight against racial discrimination and slavery.

In New Zealand, International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition is observed through lectures, film screenings, and educational programs that facilitate discussions on the historical and contemporary consequences of the slave trade and slavery. These events provide an opportunity for reflection, understanding, and dialogue between various cultural groups, fostering a spirit of unity and respect. The observance occurs every year on 23 August, aligning with the global date set by UNESCO.

Facts about this day

• According to gilderlehrman.org, from 1526 to 1867, some 12.5 million slaves were shipped from Africa. Only about 10.7 million arrived in the Americas.
• About 90% of enslaved Africans were imported into the Caribbean and South America. Despite this, by 1825, the US population included about 1/4 of the people of African descent in the New World.
• The legacy of slavery and segregation has resulted in ongoing economic disparities between different racial and ethnic groups in many societies across the globe.
• At this time, slavery in New Zealand was primarily in the form of unpaid laborers who were forced to work through violence and the threat of violence. Slavery also featured the enslavement of Māori captives from intertribal warfare.
• The Māori practiced a form of slavery called mokai before the arrival of Europeans. Mokai were typically captives from other tribes who were made to work for their captors as slaves or were sometimes used as human sacrifices in religious rituals.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

Top things to do in NZ for this observance

• Learn more about UNESCO's Slave Route Project. Their project focuses on raising awareness about the slave trade and slavery. It hopes to highlight the cultural interactions that have resulted from global slavery.
• Listen to an episode of UN and Africa. This podcast features constitutional law professor Gloria Browne-Marshall as she discusses the effects of the transatlantic slave trade.
• Visit a museum or cultural center to learn about the history of indigenous peoples in New Zealand, and their experiences with colonization and cultural loss. The Auckland War Memorial Museum and Te Papa Museum in Wellington are good places to start.
• Show your support for organizations working towards ending modern-day slavery and promoting human rights, such as Amnesty International, or any local New Zealand organizations addressing these issues.

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