1638–1775: The early slave trade to Brazil exhibited mortality rates that were substantially lower than those recorded on vessels sailing to the Caribbean du…

1638–1775: The early slave trade to Brazil exhibited mortality rates that were substantially lower than those recorded on vessels sailing to the Caribbean during the same period. Interestingly, the survival patterns were the opposite of those seen in the Caribbean: a larger proportion of West Central African captives died on the crossing to Brazil than those from West Africa. This occurred even though the voyage length from West Central Africa to Brazil was likely shorter. Notably, Brazilian slave traders during this era did not draw significantly from the Bight of Biafra, a region associated with particularly high shipboard mortality.