Final answer:
Sailors whipped Equiano to maintain control and prevent rebellion, common practices on slave ships to ensure submission and protect the voyage's profitability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sailors whipped Equiano not long after he came on board as a form of punishment and as a means to assert dominance and control. In the historical context of the transatlantic slave trade, harsh punishments were commonly administered to instill fear, prevent revolts, and maintain order among the captives, who were seen as property rather than human beings. Slave ship captains were particularly vigilant about any signs of rebellion or disobedience as any disturbance aboard the ship could endanger the crew and impact the profitability of the voyage. The inhumane conditions and treatment such as whipping were typical aboard slave ships, and these acts of violence were both a form of discipline and a tool to break the spirit of the enslaved individuals, deterring them from resistance or trying to escape a fate that many saw as worse than death.