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15 Forgotten Slave Trades Outside the Atlantic World

Shannon Quinn - July 13, 2025

When most people hear the word “slave trade,” their minds immediately turn to the transatlantic slave trade—one of history’s darkest chapters. Yet, this infamous commerce is only part of a much broader story. Across continents and centuries, many other slave trades flourished, reshaping societies, economies, and cultures in profound but often overlooked ways. This article explores 15 forgotten slave trades outside the Atlantic world—each leaving legacies that still echo today. Prepare to journey through hidden histories that deserve remembrance.

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1. The Arab Slave Trade Across the Indian Ocean

Spanning over a millennium, the Arab slave trade across the Indian Ocean was a vast and enduring network. Millions of Africans were forcibly transported from East Africa to markets in Arabia, Persia, and South Asia. Zanzibar became a notorious hub, while Persian ports bustled with this human traffic. The legacy of this trade is visible today in the diverse cultures along the Swahili Coast and beyond, where African, Arab, and Asian influences intermingle. Learn more about the Arab slave trade

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2. The Trans-Saharan Slave Trade

The trans-Saharan slave trade forged connections between sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean world for centuries. Massive caravans journeyed across the Sahara, carrying not only gold and salt but also countless enslaved individuals. This trade, reaching back to antiquity, fed the households and armies of North Africa and the Middle East. Its enduring impact can be traced in the diverse populations and cultural exchanges found in cities like Timbuktu and Cairo. Explore the trans-Saharan slave trade

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3. The Barbary Corsair Slave Raids

From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Barbary corsairs terrorized European coastlines, capturing men, women, and children. These North African pirates enslaved their victims in cities like Algiers, Morocco, and Tripoli. Historians estimate that tens of thousands of Europeans endured forced labor or ransom in harsh conditions. The Barbary slave raids left psychological scars on European societies and inspired international naval campaigns in response. Discover the Barbary slave raids

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4. The Ottoman Empire’s Devshirme System

The devshirme system was a unique and impactful form of enslavement within the Ottoman Empire. Christian boys from the Balkans were forcibly taken from their families, converted to Islam, and rigorously trained for roles as elite soldiers (the famed Janissaries) or high-ranking administrators. This practice, lasting for centuries, fundamentally shaped the Ottoman military and political landscape. Many devshirme recruits rose to significant power, but the system also left lasting trauma and altered the region’s social fabric. Read more about the devshirme system

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5. The Crimean Khanate and the Slave Raids on Eastern Europe

The Crimean Khanate was notorious for its brutal slave raids across Russia, Poland, and Ukraine from the 15th to 18th centuries. Tatar raiders captured millions of Slavs, transporting them south to be sold in bustling Ottoman slave markets. These raids devastated countless families and reshaped demographics in Eastern Europe. The legacy of this slave-trading power remains a somber chapter in the region’s history, underscoring the breadth of forgotten slave trades. Learn more about the Crimean slave raids

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6. The Indian Subcontinent’s Slave Markets

Slave trading in the Indian subcontinent has deep historical roots, stretching from ancient kingdoms through the Mughal period. Enslaved individuals arrived from Central Asia, Africa, and local communities, filling roles in royal courts, military units, and wealthy households. These diverse populations contributed to the region’s cultural mosaic, while the slave markets themselves played a key part in India’s social and economic life for centuries. Explore slavery in India and the Islamic world

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7. The Chinese Eunuch and Domestic Slave System

Slavery in China has a long and complex history, reaching its height during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Eunuchs—often boys taken through war or purchase—served in the imperial court, wielding considerable influence over state affairs. Alongside eunuchs, domestic slaves performed household, agricultural, and administrative labor. These practices, fueled by both warfare and trade, left a lasting mark on Chinese society and governance. Read about slavery in Asia

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8. Slavery in Ancient Greece and Rome

In Ancient Greece and Rome, slavery was fundamental to the very structure of society. People became slaves through war, piracy, or by being born into servitude. Enslaved individuals worked not only in agriculture and households, but also in skilled trades, education, and administration. The labor and talents of slaves underpinned the classical economies, fueling the rise of powerful city-states and empires. Their presence and contributions shaped daily life and left a deep imprint on Western civilization. More on Greco-Roman slavery

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9. The Viking Slave Trade

The Viking slave trade was a driving force behind the Norse economy and expansion. Vikings raided Ireland, Britain, and Eastern Europe, capturing men, women, and children—known as thralls. These slaves were traded across Europe and even as far as the Middle East. Slavery permeated every level of Viking society, providing labor, wealth, and status to those who controlled the trade. Read more about Viking thralls

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10. The African Sahelian Slave Networks

Long before European colonization, powerful kingdoms in the African Sahel—such as Mali and Songhai—built wealth on the backs of enslaved war captives. These internal slave trades moved people across the Sahel and into North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Enslaved individuals worked in agriculture, armies, and royal courts, helping shape the region’s economic and cultural landscapes. The legacy of these Sahelian networks continues to influence West African societies today. Learn about slavery in Africa

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11. The Persian Empire’s Use of Slaves

The Persian Empire, from the Achaemenid era onward, relied heavily on enslaved people drawn from its vast, conquered lands. Slaves performed crucial labor in agriculture, construction, administration, and even the military. Their presence shaped the empire’s social and economic structures, allowing Persian rulers to maintain their extensive territories and build legendary monuments. This system of forced labor left a significant mark on the development of Persian society. More on slavery in the Persian Empire

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12. Indigenous Slavery in the Americas Pre-Columbus

Long before European arrival, many Indigenous societies in the Americas practiced various forms of slavery. Among the Aztec and Maya, captives were often forced into labor, tribute, or ritual sacrifice.
In the Pacific Northwest, groups like the Haida and Tlingit enslaved war captives and incorporated them into their communities. These systems were complex, with meanings and practices distinct from later European-imposed slavery, yet they significantly shaped social hierarchies and cultural life. Learn about indigenous slavery in the Americas

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13. The Circassian Slave Trade

The Circassian slave trade saw countless men and women taken from the Caucasus and sold into the Ottoman Empire and neighboring regions. Circassian women, in particular, were highly valued for their perceived beauty and often became concubines or elite servants in royal households. This trade not only devastated Circassian communities but also influenced the courts and harems of the Middle East, leaving a complex legacy within Ottoman society. Read about the Circassian slave trade

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14. The Thai and Southeast Asian Slave Trades

In Southeast Asia, including Siam (modern Thailand), slavery was rooted in warfare, debt, and social hierarchy. War captives and debtors were routinely enslaved, serving in royal courts, agriculture, and households. Regional trade networks linked Southeast Asia’s slave markets with those of China and India, spreading people and cultures across vast distances. These systems shaped the ethnic and social landscape of the region for generations. Explore slavery in Southeast Asia

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15. The Pacific Islander Blackbirding Trade

In the 19th century, blackbirding devastated communities across the Pacific Islands. Thousands of men, women, and children were kidnapped or deceived, then shipped to plantations in Australia, Fiji, and Peru for harsh, unpaid labor. This exploitative trade not only decimated island populations but also left lasting scars on families and cultures. The legacy of blackbirding still shapes Pacific Islander identity and memory today. Read more about the Pacific blackbirding trade

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Conclusion

The history of slavery is far more diverse and widespread than the Atlantic narrative alone suggests. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, and from ancient China to the Sahel, forgotten slave trades have shaped entire societies, leaving profound social, cultural, and economic legacies. By understanding and acknowledging these histories, we can better recognize the enduring impact of enslavement worldwide. Let us reflect on these stories—not only to honor those who suffered, but also to confront the modern echoes of this global injustice.

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