Slavery in Somalia existed as a part of the Arab slave trade. To meet the demand for menial labor, Bantus from the African Great Lakes region captured by Omani Arab slave traders were sold in cumulatively large numbers over the centuries to customers in Somalia and other areas in Northeast Africa and Asia. People captured locally during wars and raids were also sometimes enslaved by Somalis. However, the perception, capture, treatment and duties of both groups of slaves differed markedly.