What Really Is The African American Spirituals

By Tamika Powell


The African American spirituals are nothing more but the religious songs that were composed and sang by the blacks before the abolition of slavery became legal. These racial groups were deeply rooted to Christianity during those times. The term is said to derive from the word spiritual song which is taken from the book of Ephesians in the bible.

In many churches today, they consider it as melodies of a dark chapter in the history. They are referring to the slavery which has ensued in the country for many years until its abolition by Abraham Lincoln. This kind of oppression virtually wiped out the ethnic cultures of the people back then.

Music was the foremost manifestation of the faith that people once had. Some of the songs have served as a socio political protest which was then labeled as the assimilation of the white culture which was prevalent during the time. Slavery was the primary cause of the blacks turning to music for solace and comfort.

There are also many forms of adaptation that people might have. These themes in the Bible and other lyrical hymns were based on the musical preferences of the slaves at the time. These have bee adapted by the secular church as a means to make sure that everything is in order. There are also some people who might want to make the best out of it in the end.

During the period of slavery, the captives were introduced to the Western culture. Theyy were then forbidden to practice their own faith. The western culture and language were then forced down on the slaves who have made some contributions in the area. This has lead them to the Christian faith.

It has been made to look at the things that they need to learn. These songs were purely for the benefit of those who have suffered abuses. One should have made it possible that there are some things that have made them a bit better. The areas that can be covered by it would range from one viewpoint to another at some points in the area.

Slave composers then took the traditional songs and hymns and made it their own. They had infused their own culture into the songs making it more lively than before. This is not different from the Biblical version, it is a new and a much more creative presentation of the raw materials. This could be the cause why many people believe their music to be much brighter than before.

Today, these songs has become a way to rekindle the past. It would be better for them to make these things known to many people. There are many people who have made it their obligation to teach the younger generations of what they have been through.

The African American spirituals have been considered a classic in every way. There are people who are willing to make the necessary sacrifices in order to get the things that they need. There have been changes in the whole field recently.




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