Not My Soul: Slavery, Law and Freedom

Look at this past anew – to listen to it and to give it meaning

Slavery has played a role in many societies and periods throughout history and still exists today. Not My Soul explores stories of slavery, law and freedom in antiquity and in Suriname. What influence did Roman law have on the way slavery was later organized in Suriname? How did enslaved people live in both periods, and how did they seek freedom?

A new perspective

In partnership with the National Slavery Museum, the Allard Pierson sheds new light on objects from its archaeological and Surinamica collections. These are objects whose stories have often been told from the perspective of those in power: emperors, plantation owners, and colonial rulers. Those are stories about wealth, power and domination. Behind this lies a reality of dehumanization, exploitation, and forced labour endured by countless enslaved people.

This exhibition places their stories at the centre. They were people whose freedom was taken from them but who, despite everything, retained their humanity through their work, creativity, care, language, love and resistance.