Slaves being presented as gift to the ruler from a miniature in the Hamzanama copy of 1582
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Al-Saqati:
Kitab fi adab al-hisba (1210)
Manual for the overseer of public markets
from Spain
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Abu Abd Allah al-Saqati has as nisba: al Malaqi refers to Malaga. It gives some inside on artisanal live in the city and port of Malaga in Andalous at the beginning of the 13th century. When talking about the slaves on the market, there seems to be also Zanj slaves available and the author adds their supposed qualities.
Taken from : the spanish translation by P. Chalmeta.
Note: Chalmeta uses everywhere the word Ethiopian. Other
translators use Zanj, as well as Ibn Butlan from whom Al Saqati got at least part of this text does. I also did.
Much has been said about the race of slaves and the nature of the slaves, each being in a class, deciding on the individual. (As for the women) The Berber servant (this is the ideal
to provide for) is voluptuous, The ones from Rum they say are for the city, for the money business and the cupboard, the Turk to produce valiant children, the Zanj to nurse, the once from Mecca
for the song, the once of Medina for their elegance and the Iraqi for civility and coquette. As far as the men, Hindu and Nubian (they are appreciated) as guardians of the people and goods,
the Zanj and Armenian for the work and the service, producing benefits (to its owner), the Turk and the Slav for the war and whatever requires value. Berbers are by nature obedient,
diligent to the work, healthiest, have the prettiest procreation and the pleasure to generate it; they follow the Yemenis and those who look like the Arabs. The Nubians usually are
naturally obedient to their masters, as if they had been created for slavery, but are thieves . The Hindus do not support the humiliation, commit the greater crimes and they die with
facility. The Zanj have a harder nature than Allah has created and have undergone all difficulties, but their armpits smell, which prevents generally of taking them. The Armenians are
beautiful, avaricious and little docile to the man.