Olaudah Equiano, a native of the African province Eboe and author of The Interesting Narrative experienced the cruel and inhumane life of a slave. From the age of eleven, when he was kidnapped by slave traders, until he reached the age of 21 he was subjected to a lifestyle so harsh that he often saw death as an attractive alternative. Many of his countrymen, who existed in the same, if not a worse lifestyle, did in fact chose death to escape the brutally barbaric and torturous treatment that was the life of a slave. The Interesting Narrative expands upon Equiano's experiences and walks the reader through a humbling reality of one man's life. Most importantly the memoirs found within speak for the character of Equiano, his strength in the face of adversity, his undying faith in God, and his incredible resolve in unfavorable situations. He faced slavery on several fronts, in his native Africa, the West Indies, Europe and America. Though the treatment he received and the people he encountered differed, he suffered through each with two ruling principles: "do unto all men as you would have them do unto you", and "honesty is the best policy" (119). Through his admirable characteristics as a man and the unenviable experiences he endured in his life, Equiano's opinions on slavery, the slave trade and the nature of Man solidifies the truth that no man is intended to be treated as slaves were and he who invokes slavery is merely a disgrace to the human race under God regardless of social stature. .
As a young boy in Eboe, Olaudah was exposed to slavery among his own people. His father, being an Embrenche or chief man in the province, who decided disputes and punished crimes, along with an assembly of the other chief men, often punished those guilty of adultery, kidnapping or other heinous crimes to slavery or death. On other occasions the people of Eboe were forced to battle in defense of their land against other provinces or districts.