For centuries, the ivory trade and the slave trade were closely intertwined. Ivory was a valuable commodity that was traded and sold around the world using the same networks and routes as the trade in slaves.
One notorious figure in this dark chapter of human history was Tippu Tib, an Arab slave trader and ivory dealer who operated in Zanzibar just 150 years ago. Tippu Tib was one of the biggest ivory traders in the world, trafficking tens of thousands of human beings alongside ivory. His story is a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed in the name of profit and greed.
The trade in ivory and slaves caused immense harm to both people and animals throughout history, with the ivory trade driving many elephant species to the brink of extinction, while the slave trade caused immeasurable suffering and loss of life. Although both trades are now illegal or heavily regulated, it is important to remember their dark history.
The story of the ivory trade and the slave trade serves as a stark reminder of the ways in which human greed and exploitation can cause immense harm. Acknowledging and confronting this dark chapter of human history is crucial as we work towards a more just and equitable future for all.
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Top image: Elephant ivory. Source: Sebastiano Fancellu / Adobe Stock
