3/2 African American Spirituals: Hidden Messages

African American Spirituals: Hidden Messages

Open Ended

Before we get started, what is one thing that you already know about African American spirituals?

African American Spirituals

• a type of religious folksong

• a folksong is a simple song from a country or culture, passed by oral tradition from generation to generation

• associated with the enslavement of African American people in the American South

Open Ended

What is one example of a folksong from your culture?

History of the Spiritual

• In Africa, music is central to people's lives

• White colonists frowned upon slaves' way of worship because they found it too wild!

• Gatherings were banned

History of the Spiritual

• Slaves in the American colonies fascinated by Biblical stories

• Created songs that retold stories about Biblical figures like Moses

• Spirituals were a way to express faith, sorrow, and hope

• Typically Call and Response

Hidden Messages

• The Underground Railroad used railroad terms and Biblical references to hide messages to help slaves escape

• Example we will look at tomorrow: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

Open Ended

What is one thing you learned today about African American spirituals?