CROCEVIA TRA MEDITERRANEO E ATLANTICO: SCHIAVITÙ, CORSARI E RESISTENZA NELLE ISOLE CANARIE (1586-1624)

This essay examines the history of slavery in the Canary Islands during the early modern period, focusing particularly on the mobility of enslaved individuals from sub-Saharan Africa who were prosecuted by the Inquisition. The study analyzes testimonies collected during interrogations, offering a unique perspective on the lives, social connections, and historical contexts of these individuals. Through the stories of four people ̶ Bartolomé, Miguel, Catalina, and Alberto ̶key details emerge regarding the trafficking of enslaved individuals, corsair invasions, and the cultural resistance of enslaved communities. The essay also explores the role of the Canary Islands as a crossroads between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, emphasizing the importance of methodological approaches such as microhistory in recovering marginalized voices that have been omitted from conventional narratives of slavery. Additionally, the study addresses religious conversions and the complexity of cultural identities in Atlantic colonies, underscoring the need to consider the perspectives of enslaved people to develop a more comprehensive historical understanding. Finally, it examines the intersection of violence, identity, and resistance, analyzing how enslaved individuals sought to preserve their cultural identity despite pressures from the Inquisition and their enslavers.