What Came To African American Culture

The black slaves of colonial American brought their own culture from Africa. Contributed greatly to the development of American’s own dance, music, art, food and clothing. When Africans were taken from their homeland and brought to America as slaves, they also brought with them their individual cultures, languages and customs. Culture defines people’s values, beliefs, and personal interests. Culture is important because it allows people to maintain their identity. During slavery, they were expected to adopt to their slave owners culture. My culture shares many similarities with others around the world; My parents are both from Sierra Leone and they brought their culture to America. They did not forget about family’s traditions and food.

Slaves used music for a wide variety of purposes. Music was incorporated into religious ceremonies and celebrations; Drumming became used as a means of communication and establishing a community identity during that time. When slave masters discovered that drums could be used as a secret communication, they were banned. In the place of drums, they started hand clapping and tapping their feet. Vernacular dances such as breakdowns, shuffles, and jigs. African American music traces their roots of slave music. These songs with such element, such as rhythm patterns, off key notes. The incorporation of hums, moans, foot patting, and a strong rhythmic drive. The spirituals are typical working songs and often content stories and from the bible. The songs first become well-known outside the southern states. Music for African American were great since it was their way of expressions their feelings, and in some way gained strength to survive through the battle of slavery. On board slave ships during the middle passage, slaves were forced to dance. Slave captains believed that if they danced it would have reduced their pain and suffering. African American practice a number of religions, Christianity was the most popular religion. During slavery many African Americans were stripped from their belief and denied religious practice. Christian worship in secret meetings. These practices, including

African sculptures include figures, masks, decorated boxes. Many early African sculpture were made of wood. African art consists mainly of sculptures, painting, fetishes, masks figures, and decorative objects. Sculptures are considered to be the greatest achievement for African art. A majority of the sculptures is done in wood, but are also made of metal, stone, terra-cotta, mud, beadwork, ivory, and other materials. Many ancient rock paintings have been found in Southern and Eastern Africa. Masks and fetishes are often used to scare off bad things such as evil spirits, witches or ghosts. Female slaves sewed colorful quilts to keep them warm. African American cultural attire was from west Africa. Kenta fabric is one of the popular style of fashion from t-shirt, bow tie and cummerbunds. Since the black art movement, traditional African clothing has been popular amongst African American for formal and casual occasions. In African American culture also involves a nice dress for worship in the black church. African American women are known for wearing vibrant dresses, and hats to church. African American women hair styles was usually tightly coiled curls, they strengthen their hair and natural hairstyles, such as braids, afro and