Kessel's expedition against slavery
In 1930 the French journalist, writer and adventurer Joseph Kessel left for East Africa. Together with a captain, a lieutenant at sea and a photographer he set out to expose slavery in Africa. The Anti-Slavery Society estimates that in 1930 there were still about 2 million Africans living in slavery compared to a total population of between 8 - 16 million.
Henry de Monfreid
Onderweg ontmoette Kessel auteur en avonturier Henry de Monfreid. In het bijschrift van de foto van zijn huis wordt vermeld dat de Fransman het natuurleven boven het decadente cultuurleven verkoos. Kessel wist hem ervan te overtuigen om zijn ervaringen in Oost-Afrika op papier te zetten - de verhalen van Monfreid werden bestsellers.
Joseph Kessel (1898 - 1979)
Joseph Kessel wrote for newspapers and magazines such as Journal des débats, Le Figaro, Mercure de France and Paris-Soir. He became one of the most important reporters because of his reporting in the at-risk areas of those days. In 1940, at the outbreak of World War II, Kessel joined the resistance in defence of France. Partly under pressure from the Allies, Emperor Haile Selassie made it an official offence to possess slaves on 26 August 1942.
