The Rest Is History 279: Cameroon: The Slave General of Peter the Great
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Dec 11, 2022 Discover the captivating story of Abram Gannibal, a Cameroonian who became a renowned Russian general. Unravel his journey from enslavement to military success under Peter the Great. Dive into the intricate history of Cameroon and its colonial roots, revealing how Gannibal’s legacy intertwines with the life of poet Alexander Pushkin. Explore the broader implications of the slave trade and Gannibal's cultural impact on both Russian and American literature, including his influence on Harlem Renaissance writers.
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Pushkin's Duel and Novel
- In 1837, Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, died in a duel.
- This event prompted the publication of his unfinished novel, "The Moor of Peter the Great," about his African great-grandfather.
Pushkin's African Ancestry
- Pushkin's great-grandfather, Abram Petrovich Gannibal, was an African who rose to prominence in Russia.
- Pushkin embraced his African heritage, seeing it as a source of exoticism and romanticism.
Gannibal's Origins
- While Pushkin believed Gannibal was from Abyssinia (Ethiopia), later research suggests he was from Cameroon.
- The word "Fu," meaning "homeland" in a Cameroonian language, was found on Gannibal's coat of arms application.
