Senegambia clearly knew
both the servile institutions
and a long-distance trade in
slaves
when the Portuguese first
made contact with the area.
Four distinct social groups
composed this society:
the Buur, rulers; the jaambuur,
translated as ëfreemaní;
the nyenyo and the
Griot, artisans and artists;
the Jaam, or slaves.
In listing them last
I am not necessarily
putting them at
the bottom of the ladder.
Western writers
tend to see social categories
in hierarchical or prestige terms.
In fact, a Jaam was often
better off economically
than a jaambuur.
Martin A. Klein. 1977
Beheading of John The Baptist
Rouen Cathedral, 1257
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