Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
SPIRITUALS (The Underground Railroad (UGRR) (Had a secret code (e.g.…
SPIRITUALS
The Underground Railroad (UGRR)
UGRR = a series of escape routes, hiding places and network of people to help fugitive slaves
Had a secret code
e.g. Jordan = Ohio river
e.g. angels = people who helped slaves escape
e.g. Canaan = Canada / a free state
Lyrics
Stories from the Bible
e.g. Moses who led his people away from slavery and to the Promised Land
e.g. Christ's resurrection
Secret messages to help slaves escape
#
History
Oppressive context of plantation slavery
Prohibition to pursue traditional African music and religion
Secret gatherings in woods
Christianisation
Familiarisation with different musical culture and with stories from the Bible
Why?
to share the harsh condition of being a slave
to unburden from work in the plantations
to give a coded signal (see UGRR)
#
if sung during work, to coordinate work movement
to educate
to gossip
Prohibitionto use traditional instruments
Music
African + European Christian and folk traditions
often, call and response structure
"blue" notes (lowered third, fifth and seventh)
syncopation
accompanied by clapping and feet stamping
#
often, verse and refrain sructure