Amistad Incident

Portuguese slave hunters (called "slavers") illegally wrenched Sengbe and his fellow captives from their homes in February, 1839. It was an all-too-common occurrence, even after the British Parliament outlawed the slave trade in 1807.

Using inhuman devices to control their victims, slavers violated all existing treaties and laws. The practice continued due to demand for cheap labor in the "New World."

During the difficult journey from Africa to Cuba - called "The Middle Passage" - many of the captured people died. Fifty-three Africans (of Mandingo, Gbandi, Vai, Lorma, Kissi and Mendi heritage) were transferred to La Amistad, a ship chartered by two Spaniards who had "purchased" the captives at auction in Havana.

Four children were among the Amistad Africans.