Question

What kind of work does Equiano do for his first master, the chieftain

Answer 1

Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797) was a Nigerian writer and the first person to publish his memoirs as a testimony of his life as a slave, after being kidnapped from his home in Nigeria when he was 11 years old. He was able to receive a proper education,  and when he could obtain his freedom he intensively participated in  abolitionist movements. Moreover, he made his most personal contribution by writing his memoirs containing all that he lived and witnessed.

After a trip across the Ocean he arrived to colonial Virginia. His first owner was Michael Pascal, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, who acquired Equiano in 1754. They travelled to England, where Equiano served as a valet during the Seven Years' War against France. Equiano also learnt about sailing in the sea, and assisted the crew during battles, apart from perfoming his main task that consisted on bringing gunpowder to the gun decks.

After these war times he was sent by Pascal to England where he attended a school, learnt to read and write, and converted to Christianism.