African American Music And Culture Essay

Music is an integral part of African American history and culture that predates slavery. During the transatlantic slave trade, enslaved Africans would use music as a form of communication, self-expression, and cultural preservation. Since the conditions of slavery were so harsh and dehumanizing, music allowed slaves to mentally escape, even if it was brief. The slaves would often sing while working in the fields because they felt music made the situation a little more bearable. In most cases, these were Christian songs, also known as spirituals. Singing spirituals gave slaves the hope and faith they needed to fight for their freedom. As time went on, slaves realized they could fill these songs with coded messages to aid each other’s escape

Music has played an important role in shaping African culture. Long before the era of slavery, music, and dance were a major part of African heritage. Music was, and still is, used in their daily lives for various celebrations and rituals. There are specific forms of dance that are paired with music to re-enact stories. This is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Enslaved Africans continued these traditions and rituals on the plantations because they never wanted to lose their heritage. They also upheld their culture because singing was the only way slaves knew how to freely express themselves. In his article, The Significance Of Sound And Music In African Culture, Charles Vallena, explains that music, “can bring people together during

While this may not seem like a big deal, music was a stepping stone for slaves to regain control over their lives. Once this was paired with religion, slaves had the strength and faith needed to fight back against oppression. Courtney Ebersohl of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies describes how “for the average enslaved person, religion offered comforts that the institution of slavery denied them.” As religion, specifically Christianity, started to spread across the United States, there was an increased interest in spirituals throughout the slave population. “Participating in these spirituals allowed for enslaved people to relieve stress and manage their grief by sharing experiences that inspired intrapersonal and interpersonal hope,” (Ebersohl). Not only did music give slaves hope that they would one day escape, but it is also the reason why so many slaves did successfully escape. After the abolition of slavery, African Americans continued to rely on singing and music as a form of communication. Donna Cox of the U.S. National Park Service describes how this dependency stems from how music “helped individuals cope with the traumas that came with being enslaved.” Even in our modern times, African Americans continue to sing these songs, mainly in their churches. They are a reminder to be