Here's a thread on the most enslaved African People of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. According to historical records, this groups combined constitute at least 90% of all enslaved Africans. So, if you're looking for your African Roots, start here.

Makua People - Mozambique.

The Makua are a Bantu speaking People found primarily in Mozambique & parts of Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa & Madagascar. Due to their proximity to Asian continent, Makua People fell victim to both the Arab Slave trade & the European slave trade.

Not only were Makua People amongst the most trafficked Africans to the Americas, they were also the most enslaved People on the African continent as well. Countless Makua were enslaved by Arabs in plantations in Zanzibar. Many more were carried to the middle East & to India.

The Somali Bantu, The Zanj of Abbasid Caliphate & Iraq & the Siddi People of India are all primarily descended from Makua People.

In the late 16th century, Mozambique was invaded & occupied by the Portuguese, who then enslaved & trafficked millions of Mukua People to the Americas, over the following two centuries.

The Makua today remain the largest Matriarchal & Matrilineal in Africa today.

Bamileke People.

Bamileke People are found primarily in the Republic of Cameroon, were the constitute the largest ethnic group. Unlike most other African groups on this list, the Bamileke homeland is landlocked & never came into direct contact with Europeans.

The Bamileke were mainly victimized by other African groups, especially the Fulani & Douala. According to historical records, Bamileke People constituted over 50% of the estimated 2 million Africans captured from what is now the Republic of Cameroon.

Fun Fact: Several prominent African Americans have such as Quincy Jones, Erica Badu, Blair Underwood etc...have traced their ancestry to the Bamileke People.

(Blair Underwood with Bamileke Tribesmen in Cameroon & Erica Badu with a Bamileke elder in Texas)

Chamba People.

Chamba People are mainly found in Northeastern Nigeria & Northwestern Cameroon. The Chamba are closely related to the Bamileke People of Cameroon, with whom they share similar customs, culture & traditions.

As a result of Fulani Jihad/Conquest of their homeland, many Chamba People were forced to convert to Islam. Those who refused to convert were sold to Europeans. The Chamba are not known to have participated in the Slave Trade.

Wolof People:

Wolof People are found primarily in Senegal, parts of Gambia & Mauritania. In the 14th century, the founded the Jolof Kingdom. As a result of constant warring between various Wolof factions, over territory & kingship, many Wolof were captured & traded to Europeans

As you may or may not have guessed, the Wolof are the originators of Jollof rice dishes. (Why Senegal has the best Jollof in Africa)

Akan People.

The Akan are primarily found in Ghana, Ivory Coast & Togo. Between the 16th & 18th centuries, the Akan founded several powerful Kingdoms in West Africa, the most influential of which was the Asante (Ashanti) Empire.

The Akan were renowned for their warlike culture. As a result of constant warfare between various Akan Kingdoms, Slave trading became the primary means of funding wars. Major Akan Kingdoms such as the Akwamu, the Fante & Asante were all victims & victimizers in the Slave trade.

Many Akan prisoners of war were sold to the Dutch & were held at the Dutch Fort Kormantse in Ghana, hence Akan people became known in Jamaica & other parts of the Caribbean as Coromantee.

Fulani People.

The Fulani are the largest ethnic group in West Africa & constitute a sizable demographic in many West African nations. The Fulani were amongst the first Africans below the Sahara to convert to Islam.

Between the 15th & 19th Centuries, the Fulani launched several Jihads across West & Central Africa & founded many powerful states. Fulani were also the most prolific slave Raiders due to their proficiency in firearms & horseback warfare.

As a consequence of their Jihad & constant slave raids, the Fulani themselves became the primary targets of retaliatory slave raids. Many other African states joined the slave trade with Europeans for guns to defend themselves from Fulani attacks or to wage war on the Fulani

Mandinka People.

Mandinka are part of the larger Mande people of West Africa & constitute a sizable population in the nations of Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali & Cape Verde. The Mandinka are renowned for the Great Mali Empire of Sundiata Keita & Mansa Musa.

The Mandinka were the first Africans to fall victim to European slave raids, & transported as slaves to the Americas, were they became known as Mandingo. They also fought several brutal wars with their Fulani neighbors, resulting in countless enslavement on both sides.

Fon People.

The Fon are primarily found in the Republic of Benin. They are renowned for founding the powerful Dahomey Empire, with the all female Mino warriors (Dahomey Amazons). The Fon are also the originators of the Vodun (Voodoo) religion.

Dahomey was one of the most militaristic societies in Africa & existed for the sole purpose of waging war & acquiring slave. As a result of constant warfare, with their neighbors, especially the Yoruba, millions of Fon People were also captured & enslaved.

Igbo People

Igbo are primarily found in Southeastern Nigeria & parts of Equatorial Guinea. In the 17th century, the merchant elite of the Igbo, Ijaw, Efik, Ekoi, Ibibio & Banyang people of Nigeria & Cameroon banded together & formed a trading monopoly known as the Aro-Chukwu.

After the inception of Slave trade, the Aro-Chukwu (Known as the Aro Confederacy to Europeans) became the most powerful institution in the region. Since the Aro Confederacy wasn't a centralized state, they relied primarily on kidnappings to acquire slaves.

With the Igbo being the most populous group in the region, Igbo commoners became the biggest victims of the slave trading Aro Confederacy Cartel. Igbo people were reputed for their light skin complexion, as a consequence light skin Africans became known as Red Ebo in the Americas

Yoruba People.

The Yoruba are found primarily in Southwestern Nigeria & the Republic of Benin. The Yoruba are famed for founding the great Oyo empire & the Orisha Pantheon. The Yoruba were the arch enemies of the Dahomey Empire & the primary targets of Dahomey slave raids.

The Yoruba fought several wars with the Fon People of Dahomey, resulting in the enslavement of countless people on both sides. The Yoruba also fell victim to Fulani slave raids & Jihad.

Mbundu People.

Mbundu People are found primarily in the nation of Angola. They're famed for founding the Ndongo & Mantamba Kingdoms of Queen Nzinga. The Mbundu fell victim to the slave trade due to Portuguese invasion & occupation of Angola.

The Portuguese, allied with the warlike Imbangala people occupied Mbundu territory & forced the leaders to pay a yearly tribute in the form of Slaves. Along with the Bakongo, Mbundu People constitute almost 50% of all Africans captured in the the Trans Atlantic slave trade.

The Bakongo.

The Bakongo are found primarily in the Republic Of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo & Northern Angola. They are renowned for the Great Kingdom of Kongo & were the first Africans below the Sahara to adopt Christianity as the state Religion.

As stated above, along with their Mbundu neighbors, the Bakongo constituted almost 50% of all Africans enslaved in the Americas. The Bakongo land was also occupied by the Portuguese & their Imbangala allies. And Kongo rulers had to pay tribute in slaves.

Several civil wars over the throne of Kongo led to the enslavement of countless Bakongo People.

Note that these do not constitute the entirety of all enslaved African People, but a sizable majority.

Other Notable enslaved People include the:

The Banyang, Bakossi , Bangwa & Bassa, Ewondo of Cameroon.

The Hausa of Nigeria & Cameroon

The Luba & Chockwe of Congo

The Mande of Sierra Leone

The Kru & Bassa of Liberia

The Ewe & Gbe of Togo.

Also check my thread on the Akwamu slave revolt in St John https://twitter.com/xspotsdamark/status/1305303243472461824?s=19

And my thread on the life of Queen Nzinga of the Mbundu People https://twitter.com/xspotsdamark/status/1245274365488398336?s=19

And my thread on the warlike Imbangala People. https://twitter.com/xspotsdamark/status/1218396876942331904?s=19

And my thread on the legendary Mino of the Dahomey Empire https://twitter.com/xspotsdamark/status/1306104765076647936?s=19