Slaves

 I keep coming across the name Alarakia  being mentioned in the ownership/transportation of slaves in Zanzibar and which is mentioned in government papers regarding Africa(East Coast) and Arabia. 

In January of 1878 a chap named only as Alarakia  was deemed the 'owner' of two male slaves who had been illegally conveyed from mainland Africa to Zanzibar which contravened the 1875 'Treaty' banning slavery. Then in March 1888 it would appear that a Dhow owned by a Alarakia Somji was used in the illegal transportation of  three female slaves and was confiscated by the British government. Alarakia Somji appealed the ruling but was unsuccessful even though it was proven the crime had been committed by the the vessels captain without the owners knowledge. Now much as I abhor the thought of our ancestors being involved in owning or trading slaves it certainly looks like some may have. It is mentioned in the papers that Alarakia Somji had been trading in Zanzibar for forty one years and had never been known to break the law. It begs the question then who was the 'Alarakia' mentioned ten years earlier. 

I have tried to discover the origin of the name 'Somji' and cannot find mention of it as a first name. I have found it however as a surname prominent in Gujarat and borne by a great many who fled the famine there to East Africa in 1813. If the two Alarakias are the same person why was he referred to in the earlier instance as 'Alarakia' and then 'Alarakia Somji' later.  It would also imply that 'Alarakia Somji' was not so innocent after all. 

It would be nice if any of his /their descendants were to read this blog and to share any further information they might have.

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