Slave Religion

bringing africa to america

• slaves accepted christianity with aspects of distinct cultures
• found that old religions were adaptable to new, forced religions
• retained worship through song and applied it to christian hymns

Gods and spirits

• acknowledged one powerful god and hundreds of lesser gods
• spirits took form in nature and tribal ancestors
• spirits brought blessing and favor through victory and plentiful harvest

1. religious traditions played an important role in helping slaves survive the harshness
2. blended music and religion together to bring a lighthearted spirit to their troubles

ex:symbols (like crosses) were decorated with African charms and carried to ward off evil spirits

Untitled Slide

• fusion of old and new religion led to practices of voodoo and magic
• promise of afterlife made old world religion more important to slaves than free African Americans