Slave+Culture


 * __Slave Culture ​ __**

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Slave songs were adopted elements of African and European musical traditions and helped influence a lot of music genres that still exist today, including gospel, jazz, blues, and R&B/Soul. The songs were used for three purposes, religious, recreational, and work. These songs would help motivate, unite, and comfort during bad times. Music also played an important part in the Underground Railroad, songs like Follow the Drinking Gourd had secret codes hidden in the lyrics. The Drinking Gourd is a code name for the big dipper; the big dipper leads you to the North Star which of ​ course is North. ======

media type="youtube" key="yU091YLgC9Q" height="344" width="425"//__This is the song Swing Low Sweet Chariot which in this case is being sung by UB40.__//

**Religion** Slaves in America practiced many different religions. Many were Christian, Islamic and Polytheistic, for those who practiced Christianity added strong African elements to the music. Slaves would shun the Christianity practiced by their overseers and masters.

The older slaves taught their children how to hunt, gather food, and fish. They also taught their children medical care and how to make herbal medicines. media type="youtube" key="j_QxzuRETWU" height="344" width="425" align="right" Elder slaves also told their sons and daughters folk tales. The story of High John the Conqueror is one example. The video to your left is the story of High John told by Diane Ferlatte.
 * Life Lessons**

In the book __47__ which is written by Walter Mosely there is a huge tie in with slave culture. 47 a slave on a plantation meets a very special friend from another universe, his name is John. John persistently reminds 47 that he is special and that he will change the world. John who is supposed to represent High John tries to get 47 to notice how wrong slavery is. The story of High John is mentioned many times in the story.
 * Slave Culture in 47 **

Here are some links on slave culture... PBS-Slavery and the Making of America: Arts and Education PBS-Slavery and the Making of America: Religion Houghton Mifflin Social Studies: A Closer Look at Slave Culture