The aim of this study was to investigate the topic of the Yemeni slave trade during the Middle Ages, exploring common elements across the institution of slavery in South Arabia, the Yemen, and the Indian Ocean regions. The period covered by this study extends from the establishment of the Ziyadid state to the early years of the Rasulid state (204-694/819-1295). Chapter One (Introduction) presents an overview of the religious background to slavery in the selected context, referring to the period immediately preceding the Ziyadid state. Also discussed are the research rationale, methodology, accompanying challenges, and main sources.
Chapter Two subsequently addresses the historical background to the institution of slavery in South Arabia, especially the methods of acquiring slaves, and the provenance, skills and characteristics of those slaves, as identified before and after the spread of Islam. Chapter Three then analyses the internal and external political factors affecting the Yemeni slave trade during the period under study.
Meanwhile, Chapter Four looks at the various domains in which slaves were utilised in domestic service and the royal courts, especially the functions, titles, and privileges afforded to slaves. In particular, Chapter Five is concerned with military slavery, namely, the institution of the Mamluk in the Yemen, along with patterns of slavery, and the titles, functions and privileges granted to slaves.
In contrast, Chapter Six builds a profile of the medieval Indian Ocean slave merchants, consisting of their origins, specialties, means of transporting slaves, and relationship with the Yemeni state. In addition, the role of the state in regulating the slave trade is examined. Finally, Chapter Seven describes the sale of slaves in the Yemen, including the slave markets and their operation, the criteria for pricing slaves, and the common elements of sales contracts for slaves during the Middle Ages.
