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About Olaudah Equiano and Hurrem


The Olaudah Equiano and Hurrem had many similarities and differences. Olaudah was the first freed African slave to write an autobiography, and Hurrem was one of the most powerful women in the Ottoman Empire. Although they were different individuals, I found many similarities between them. They were not born as slaves like many others, but became slaves by strangers. Equiano was kidnapped with his sister when he was eleven-years-old and sold into slavery. Hurrem was also captured when Tartar raiders took Rogatin and given as a gift to Suleiman on the occasion of his accession to the throne. They both overcame their slave status and became well known to others. Equiano purchased his freedom with money from his owner and Hurrem became Suleigman’s legal wife. They were very fortunate compared to other slaves in that time. They were also both called by different names.
Equiano’s master Michael Henry Pascal who was an officer of the British Royal Navy renamed him Gustavus Vassa. Equiano later used this name on his bestseller autobiography. Hurrem was called Roxelana by Europeans after she acquired fame. Both Equiano and Jurrem were later questioned about their identity. In recent years, it has been suggested that Equiano may not have been born in Africa, but was born a slave in South Carolina according to Equiano’s baptismal record. In addition, there is a possibility that Equiano never visited Africa. I thought this was a very interesting argument. If Equiano wasn’t born in Africa, then the early parts of his autobiography may reflect the oral history of other slaves, combined with information, Equiano gleaned from books he had read about Africa. Hurrem was questioned about her ethnic origin whether she was Russian or Polish. Although the opinion that she was Russian was widely held in both Europe and Turkey, Hurrem Sultan considered herself to be Polish.
There are also many...