The Slave Community

By the 19th century slaves had created a distinct culture Combined African and European traditions Most evident on big plantations Transmitted from one generation to the next through the slave family

The Slave Family 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 sale About 600,000 husbands and wives separated by sale Even more children separated from their parents

Black women lived in fear Faced the possibility of rape by the master or overseer No opportunity for legal recourse Or even extra-legal recourse – revenge

Marriage & Sexual norms 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

Traditional nuclear families 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

Extended Families 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.

Music Expressed both joys and sorrow Secular songs love rhythmic accompaniments to work drum-led beats to African dance music Notes of Rebellion in some songs African musical instruments Banjo, Yoruba drum, gourd rattle, mandolins

Stories and folktales Most used animals as symbolic models The best known of these was Brer Rabbit Sometimes the hero was a quick-witted slave The message was always the same: laugh at the master's shortcomings teach the young how to survive

“Masks of obedience” 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

Slaves created their own Hierarchy Some held a status that no white could confer Slave preachers, conjurers, and herb doctors

Master Imposed a Hierarchy 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