How did Africans preserve their culture in their long journe

How did Africans preserve their culture in their long journey across the Middle Passage? Did enslaved people readily convert to Christianity or did they resist? How much African culture do you believe has been preserved today?

Solution

The middle passage took the enslaved africans from Africa to America.

The Africans were all from different countries and cultures. The Africans were racially able to identify themselves and naturally helped each other in need. The slaves drew strength from their cultures and values to survive through their struggle and ordeal. It\'s not usually expected that anyone would be able to preserve their cultures amongst such adversities.

Story telling, religion and music were the three main pillars which the slaves used to preserve their culture intact.

These helped the enslaved Africans to feel unified and relate to their heritage. During the middle passage, enslaved Africans were forced to abandon traditional customs, leave spiritual beliefs and perish cultural artefacts.

There is no clear relationship between Christianity conversion and African slaves.

Several African tribes were polytheistic and believed in multiple gods. Some missionaries were initially resisting conversion of slaves to Christianity fearing this will upgrade their social and human status and they may no longer be slaves. The great awakening and the second great awakening converted Africans to Christianity in large numbers. Quite a few Africans converted to Christianity because of the exodus story. The religious format varied from plantation to plantation for the slaves. Christianity provided Africans with a light and the end if a dark tunnel as it allowed them to believe in an omnipotent God. Accompanied by ecstatic behaviour, shouting and singing, baptism used to be the most significant part in African slaves lives. Although conversion of African slaves to Christianity was initially used as a tool by the advantaged to get power, it also helped Africans unify with a common religious belief and accept America as their new home. Africans did not leave Christianity even after slavery was abolished.

Africanisms ranging from traditional folklore, southern cuisine to song and dance are still prevalent in America. Folklore such as chicken little and Brer rabbit originally had come from Africa. Spirituals and blues are two song forms derived from Africa. Deep frying, fufu and millet bread Are some popular cuisines which have come from Africa. African Language, hair style, clothing are very dominant in popular western culture. Africans were used exhaustively in agriculture and ground water, springs and soil moisture preservation techniques were used by them which are still extant today.