The Amistad Slavery Revolt Hero – Sengbe Pieh of Sierra Leone

Sengbe Pieh: A Farmer, a Fighter, a Symbol of Freedom

Sengbe Pieh, a name that would echo through history, lived a simple life in Sierra Leone. Around 1814, he farmed rice, traded goods, and had a family by his side. But this peace wouldn’t last. In 1839, cruel slavers snatched him away, forcing him onto a ship packed with people stolen from their homes.

The journey across the ocean was horrific, breaking all laws against slavery. In Cuba, Pieh and others were sold onto a smaller ship, La Amistad. There, whispers of a terrifying fate sparked a fire in Pieh. He wasn’t going down without a fight.

Using a hidden nail, Pieh led a brave revolt. They took control of the ship, but not without struggle resulting in the death of the captain. News of the fight reached the U.S. Navy, who captured the Amistad. This began a famous court case – The Amistad.

Pieh, now known as Cinqué, became a symbol of resistance. Abolitionists fought for his freedom, arguing that he and the others weren’t slaves, but kidnapped people. Finally, the Supreme Court agreed! They weren’t slaves, they were free.

Sadly, the U.S. didn’t help them return home. But with support from abolitionists, Pieh and some others made it back to Sierra Leone in 1842.

Sengbe Pieh’s story is one of incredible courage. He fought for his freedom and became a symbol of hope in the battle against slavery. Even though details of his life after returning to Africa are unclear, his fight on the Amistad left a lasting mark on history. His story was ultimately made into a Hollywood movie directed by Steven Spielberg