1. The Slave Community

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. “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

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

12. 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