Abina Questions

Abina Assignment

Question 11: Through the trials there were many instances in which Abina Mansah misunderstood, unable to answer, and contradicts the questions asked by Melton Davis, and Brew. These moments are very important to Abina’s perspective because her words are all that she has and all that she can stand on. Due to the lack of evidence on whether Abina was a slave or not made it difficult to determine through her testimony. Through Abina’s eyes she was indeed a slave. She worked and did not receive pay. Although she was clothed and given food, she was ultimately enslaved. She had a difficult time expressing that to the court due to the lack of perspective on slavery through the eyes of each participant. In Melton Davis prospective, slavery took place when money was exchanged(in this case Abina couldn’t recall seeing the exchange, which puzzled him and in turn made him interested in validating her claim that she was enslaved.) Brew understood slavery and used his knowledge to manipulate Abina into questioning herself on if she was really enslaved.

Question 12: Abina knew that she had been sold because Quamina Eddoo’s actions in giving her away to Tandoe in marriage. Abina was not fond of Tandoe. Regardless of the gifts he gave her (in act of courting/ courtship),Abina felt that she was still the wife of Yowahwah. When Quamina Eddoo wanted to give her away in marriage to Tandoe, she knew she was forced to do something against her free will. Knowing that she did not have free will to refuse marriage she realized that she was enslaved. She feared that she would be flogged or logged and that fear put her back in the same mentality in which she had in Ashante. So Abina’s need to escape was a sure sign that she held the status of a slave in Quamina Eddoo’s household.

Question 15: The author argues that Abina managed to overcome the historical silencing. I disagree to a certain point with the author’s argument. Although Abina’s story was brought to light, it...