An "Interesting Narrative"

Although the evidence suggested by Vincent Caretta, and presented by Brychan Carey regarding Olaudah Equiano’s birthplace is compelling, it is not conclusive. Equiano states that he was born in Africa, that he was unable to speak English initially because he spoke an African dialect, this and the other facts he presented about his life were verifiable. Equiano states in his autobiography that he was born in Africa. His versions of events could easily be confirmed or denied by others who knew him, for example Pascal, a lieutenant in the royal navy.[1] One could also consider the importance of religion to Equiano. Being right with God was important to him and there are many testimonies to his character as a Christian in the Narrative. It seems unlikely he would have tried to lie about his origins. Also, the amount of detail he provided regarding his early life in Africa and the stories of his mother lend truth to his narrative. Even the small mistakes give it credence, as they are the memories of a very small child. As a young child he often told people the story of his capture and of his sister. On the Industrious Bee, Dick Baker was his interpreter many times[2]; if Equiano was born in South Carolina he would have understood English. As Equiano wrote his Narrative to promote the abolition of the slave trade, he had to have known that there would be efforts to discredit him. In fact, efforts to do just that were successfully disputed by Equiano because of his ability to provide witnesses. Mary Guerin and Pascal, among others, could verify that when Equiano was younger, he knew very little English. In fact, according to Allison, Equiano  "produced witnesses who could verify that he arrived in England 30 years earlier, unable to speak any language but "that of Africa"[3]  The cultural information provided at the beginning of his Narrative, along with his ability to speak the African language counters the baptism record. At the time of his baptism he may not have understood English well enough to understand the question or perhaps his godparents gave the information for him and not knowing where he was born, gave the information of where he had recently come from. Also needed to be taken into consideration are all the facts that were proved right. In fact, most of the accounts of his life are generally accurate, as proven by ship logs and other documents, indicating that he was truthful. Equiano wrote that he was offered for sale in Virginia and the British captain named Pascal purchased him.[4] The merchant ship the Industrious Bee that he worked on is a verifiable fact as well as the snow he encountered in England.[5]   Any discrepancies of dates can be attributed to his young age at the time of his kidnapping; children sense of timing and dates aren't as developed as adults. The evidence offered regarding Equiano’s birthplace and date discrepancy is circumstantial at best, and easily explained.

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[1] Olaudah Equiano The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Written by Himself (1789) With Related Documents ed with Intro by Robert J. Allison (New York:Bedford/St. Martin’s) 71

[2] Ibid. 73

[3] Olaudah Equiano The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Written by Himself (1789) (With Related Documents ed with Intro by Robert J. Allison (New York:Bedford/St. Martin’s)Caretta “Questioning the Identity” 228-9

[4] Ibid. 71

[5] Ibid. 74