Prince Among Slaves: The Remarkable True Story of an African Prince Enslaved in Mississippi, and His Journey Home

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the extraordinary true story of Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ibn Sori, a Muslim West African prince whose lifelong journey from royalty to enslavement—and ultimately to freedom—stands as a remarkable testament to faith, resilience, and hope.

Born in 1762 in the prosperous kingdom of Futa Jallon, Abdulrahman was a gifted scholar, fluent in five languages, as well as a warrior, husband, father, and trusted leader in his father’s court. But his life changed forever when he was captured by a rival tribe, sold to English slave traders, and transported across the Atlantic to Natchez, Mississippi, where he was enslaved.

After an unsuccessful escape attempt, Abdulrahman drew strength from the stories of the prophets Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, whose examples of faith helped him endure unimaginable hardship. Over the years, he built a new life, married, and became a father once again. Then an extraordinary chance encounter set in motion the events that would eventually secure his freedom and allow him to return to Africa after forty years in bondage.

Meticulously researched, N. H. Senzai brings Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ibn Sori’s remarkable story to life with compassion and historical insight, while Anna Rich’s striking illustrations capture the courage, dignity, and perseverance that defined his journey.