Born in 1745, Equiano was born a member of the Igbo tribe in a village called Essaka in the kingdom of Benin. He describes Essaka as a remote and fertile village where slavery is a part of life. Born into a family of seven, Equiano is the youngest of six sons and the "greatest favourite of his mother." One day, when he and his sister were left to mind their house while their people were gone to their work, they were both kidnapped and enslaved, violating the unwritten rules that slaves should only be acquired as prisoners of war or criminals. This day would change Equiano's life forever and begin his experiences in slavery.

After being kidnapped, separated from his sister, reunited, and then separated once again from his sister, Equiano was passed from African master to master, all of which treated him well and acted as second families...