Glossary

The process by which enslaved people transformed Christian hymns by incorporating African musical elements such as call and response, hand clapping, and syncopation, leading to new forms of American sacred music.

A set of artistic principles and styles rooted in African traditions, characterized by bold patterns, vibrant colors, intricate designs, and an emphasis on symbolism and resourcefulness.

A stringed musical instrument that evolved directly from West African instruments like the akonting and ngoni, serving as a direct link to African musical heritage.

A genre of music heavily influenced by West African traditions, characterized by pentatonic scales, call and response, expressive vocals, improvisation, and lyrics often reflecting personal experiences and social commentary.

A musical and vocal pattern common in African and African American traditions where a leader sings or plays a phrase, and a group responds, creating a dynamic dialogue.

A significant artifact of African American material culture from the antebellum period, demonstrating the artistry, resilience, and storytelling tradition of enslaved women through quilting.

Fully developed languages formed by the blending of West African languages (e.g., Wolof, Akan) and European languages (e.g., English, French), fostering community and shared identity among enslaved Africans.

The blending of different cultural elements to create a new, distinct culture. African American culture is a prime example, combining African, European, and Indigenous influences.

An enslaved African American potter from South Carolina, renowned for his large stoneware vessels and for inscribing many of his pieces with poetry, defying literacy restrictions.

A literary and lyrical technique used in spirituals where words or phrases carried both an overt religious interpretation and a covert, coded message related to escape or resistance.

Musical instruments central to communication, cultural expression, and community building in African and African American traditions, known for complex polyrhythmic patterns.

A West African musical system, particularly from Senegambia, that shares significant similarities with the early development of American blues, including pentatonic scales and call and response patterns.

A prominent abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman who escaped slavery and became a leading voice for human rights, known for his powerful autobiographical narratives.

A prime example of a creole language, spoken by African Americans in the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia, which blends West African and English linguistic elements.

The act of creating or performing music spontaneously, without prior preparation, a key element in West African musical practices and central to genres like blues and jazz.

Another term for spirituals, often highlighting their themes of hope, deliverance, and the eventual triumph over oppression, drawing on biblical narratives of liberation.

A contemporary American singer, known for her work in gospel and R&B, who has collaborated on performances of spirituals, showcasing how musical traditions are passed down and reinterpreted across generations.

An autobiographical narrative by Frederick Douglass, published in 1855, providing a firsthand account of the brutal realities of slavery and Douglass's intellectual and emotional journey to freedom.

A craft tradition within African American culture that often incorporates bold patterns, vibrant colors, and intricate designs, reflecting African artistic heritage.

The critical examination and interpretation of original materials (like historical documents, artifacts, or firsthand accounts) to understand historical events and cultural practices.

A powerful medium in African American culture for storytelling, memory keeping, and preserving family histories and cultural traditions through visual narratives.

Musical instruments, often made from gourds or other natural materials, that are part of the African-inspired musical heritage in African American culture.

The practice of using repurposed or discarded items in artistic and craft creations, rooted in African traditions of resourcefulness and sustainability.

The use of religious beliefs, rituals, and music (like spirituals) by enslaved people as a means to defy dehumanization, assert self-expression, foster community, and communicate plans for freedom.

A renowned American gospel singer, often featured in contemporary performances of traditional spirituals, demonstrating the enduring power and cultural significance of African American sacred music.

A term often used to describe spirituals, emphasizing their role in articulating the deep pain, suffering, and longing for freedom experienced by enslaved African Americans.

Songs created by enslaved African Americans that served multiple functions: expressing hardship and hope, acting as a form of resistance, conveying coded messages, and preserving African heritage.

A powerful mid-nineteenth-century spiritual song that reflects the struggles, hopes, and resilience of enslaved people, using metaphorical language for both religious devotion and coded messages about escape.

A rare and invaluable artifact created by David Drake, an enslaved potter, notable for its size and the inscribed poetry, which defied laws prohibiting literacy among enslaved people.

The use of objects, images, or designs to represent deeper meanings or ideas, a key characteristic of African and African American artistic traditions.

A musical technique involving a temporary displacement of the regular metrical accent, often by stressing beats that are typically unaccented, a common feature in African and African American music.

A clandestine network of safe houses and routes used by enslaved African Americans to escape to freedom in the North or Canada, often communicated about through coded messages in spirituals.