1660s-1807: Loango emerged as a major slaving port under the control of Vili traders, who acted as professional brokers between European ship captains and th…

1660s-1807: Loango emerged as a major slaving port under the control of Vili traders, who acted as professional brokers between European ship captains and the internal suppliers of captives. The Dutch were the primary international carriers at this location during the seventeenth century, but they were eventually surpassed by French traders after 1750. Although captives from Loango were sent to British, Dutch, and French colonies, the French colony of Saint-Domingue stood as the largest single destination for these individuals. The port’s activity was severely impacted by the British withdrawal from the trade in 1807, leading to a near-total collapse of its slaving operations.