and European traditions Most evident on big plantations Transmitted from one generation to the next through the slave family By the 19 th century slaves had created a distinct ID: 626836
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Slide1
The Slave
CommunitySlide2
Combined African
and European
traditions
Most evident on big plantationsTransmitted from one generation to the next through the slave family
By the 19
th
century slaves had created a distinct
culture Slide3
Slaves lived
as monogamous families
Southern
law did NOT . . . . . . recognize slave marriages as legally binding . . . allow slave parents complete authority over their children Married slaves could be separated by saleAbout 600,000 husbands and wives separated by sale
Even more children separated from their parents
The Slave FamilySlide4
Faced
the possibility of rape by the
master or
overseer No opportunity for legal recourseOr even extra-legal recourse – revenge
Black women lived in fearSlide5
Despite these obstacles, slave married one another and raised families
Marriage
ceremonies varied
● A formal religious service ● Jumping over a broomstick ● Verbal approval from the master
Their own moral code about sex
Premarital sex was common
1 in 5 women had children before marrying
Once married they remained
monogomous
Marriage & Sexual normsSlide6
Father, mother, and
children
Father -- the traditional head of the family
Wives -- submissive and obedient Labor divided according to sex ➣ Women did the indoor work ➢ Men performed outdoor chores
Traditional nuclear familiesSlide7
Kinship
networks
promoted
a sense of community. Aunts and uncles were expected to look after orphaned children ❖
“Mother-sister” was the aunt
Newly purchased children were “adopted” by the slave community.
Extended FamiliesSlide8
Expressed both joys and sorrow
Secular songs
love
rhythmic accompaniments to workdrum-led beats to African dance musicNotes of Rebellion in some songsAfrican musical instruments
Banjo, Yoruba drum, gourd rattle, mandolins
MusicSlide9
Most used animals as symbolic
models
The
best known of these was Brer Rabbit Sometimes the hero was a quick-witted slaveThe message was always the same: laugh at the master's
shortcomings
teach
the young how to survive
Stories and folktalesSlide10
Slaves played
characters to hide their true selves from whites
The
“Sambo” character was docile and childlike. “Nat” was fiery. “Jack” – the quiet, regular guy who did his
job
“Masks of obedience”Slide11
Some
held a status that no white could confer
Slave
preachers, conjurers, and herb doctors Slaves created their own Hierarchy Slide12
The master placed slave
drivers, skilled slaves and house servants
Master
encouraged them to feel superior to other slaves Light-skinned blacks thought themselves superior House slaves – caught between two worlds
Master Imposed a Hierarchy