Slavery is a dark chapter in the history of humankind, and many countries are still dealing with its aftermath. It is well known that slaves were treated as property and deprived of even the basic human rights. They were not allowed to learn or communicate, but music became their secret language to socialize and communicate with each other. Slaves used various forms of music, such as hymns, spirituals, and field songs, to communicate with each other, share their emotions, and plan their escape. In this blog post, we will explore the hows and whys of the slave’s use of music.
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Why You Need to Know How Slaves Used Music
The slave trade was abolished over 150 years ago, but its effects are still felt today. The descendants of slaves live with the emotional scars of their ancestors’ trials and tribulations. Slaves used music as a tool to cope with the hardships of their daily lives and to communicate with each other, making it an essential part of black history. Understanding how slaves used music can help us appreciate the incredible resilience of the human spirit and how music can unite people in the most challenging of circumstances.
Method 1: Using Hidden Messages in Spirituals
Spirituals played a crucial role in slave culture, providing comfort, hope, and a secret means of communication. They were used to communicate secret messages to other slaves, such as escape plans, safe routes, and hidden means of transportation. The hidden messages were often cryptic and only understood by those who knew the code. The following is a step-by-step guide to decoding the hidden messages in spirituals.
Steps:
1. Identify the spiritual that contains the hidden message.
2. Look for anomalies in the song, such as words used that don’t fit with the overall theme of the song.
3. Listen to how the words are sung, are they emphasized or not.
4. Look for words or phrases that are repeated, repeated words often contain hidden meaning.
5. Look for religious symbolism in the song.
6. Look for any reference to a specific geographical location in the song.
7. Try to decode the hidden message by looking at the context of the song and cross-referencing it with other songs from the same era.
Pros:
– Spirituals provided hope and comfort to slaves.
– Hidden messages allowed for the planning of escape and resistance.
Cons:
– Decoding the hidden messages in spirituals required a lot of knowledge and context.
– Misreading or misunderstanding the hidden messages could lead to disastrous consequences.
Method 2: Using Field Songs to Coordinate Work
Field songs were another form of music used by slaves in their daily lives. They were often used to coordinate tasks in the field, such as planting, harvesting, and processing crops. Songs would be used to set the pace of the work and make it more enjoyable. They also served as a form of communication between slaves, with specific songs used to signal breaks or emergencies. The following are steps for understanding and using field songs.
Steps:
1. Identify the field song used for the task at hand.
2. Listen to the rhythm of the song, this will indicate the pace of the work.
3. Learn the lyrics and when to sing them.
4. Use the song to motivate the group and coordinate their work.
Pros:
– Field songs made work more bearable
– Using a common song for the task at hand helped to coordinate the efforts of the group.
Cons:
– Not all slaves were allowed to sing field songs.
– Slave owners could use field songs to control and manipulate their slaves.
Method 3: Using Earthenware Drums to Communicate
Slaves were often restricted from having instruments, but they found a way to make their own using the natural resources available to them. Earthenware drums were made from clay pots, gourds, and other hollow objects. Their design allowed the slaves to create a range of musical sounds and use them to create rhythms and beats that communicated specific messages. The following are steps to making and using earthenware drums.
Steps:
1. Gather a clay pot or other hollow object.
2. Make a biscuit or dough with sugar and flour.
3. Cover the opening of the pot with the biscuit.
4. Make a small hole in the biscuit and insert a straw.
5. Blow into the straw to create a drumming sound.
6. Practice different rhythms and beats to communicate specific messages.
Pros:
– Earthenware drums allowed for a wide range of musical expression.
– They were easy to make and allowed slaves to create their own instruments.
Cons:
– Earthenware drums were easily spotted by slave owners, and their use could lead to punishment.
– The sound produced by earthenware drums was limited and could not travel long distances.
What to Do If You Can’t Make or Find the Materials
If you can’t make earthenware drums or find musical instruments, you can still use music to communicate with others.
The following are alternative methods that can be used:
– Whistling – slaves would often use whistling to communicate between plantations or during work.
– Hand Clapping – hand clapping was another way for slaves to signal each other.
– Foot Stomping – slaves used foot stomping to create a rhythm that could be heard by others.
– Patting – patting was used to signal to slaves that someone was nearby or to communicate who was the leader of the group.
Bonus Tip: Creating Your Own Secret Code
Music was a powerful tool for slaves, but it wasn’t the only one. They also used secret codes to communicate with each other. These codes were often based on the language of their slave master, but they were adapted to suit their own needs. You can create your own code using a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. Make sure to agree on a code with your group and to use it consistently.
5 FAQs about the Use of Music by Slaves
Q: Why did slaves sing spirituals?
A: Spirituals were sung to express religious faith, provide hope, and to communicate with other slaves using hidden messages.
Q: Did all slaves use music to communicate?
A: Not all slaves were allowed to make or play music, but many did find ways to communicate through song and other means.
Q: Was music the only way that slaves communicated?
A: No, slaves also used codes, hand signals, and other forms of communication to interact with each other.
Q: How did slaves make instruments?
A: Slaves made instruments from natural materials, such as earthenware, and they also repurposed everyday objects to create music.
Q: Did slave owners know about the use of music for communication?
A: Some slave owners were aware of the use of music by their slaves but did not understand the specific messages being communicated.
Final Thoughts
Music was a powerful means of communication for slaves, allowing them to express themselves, share their emotions, and plan for their escape. While their use of music was born out of necessity, it became an essential part of their culture and history. By understanding how slaves used music, we can gain a deeper appreciation for their bravery, resilience, and creativity in the face of adversity.