The Basis for Creation of the Spirituals

Abstract

In 1619 a Dutch vessel landed 20 African natives at Jamestown, Virginia. They were quickly bought up by the colonial settlers. This was the beginning of the African Slave Trade in the American colonies. To supply this trade, Africa was robbed of millions of men, women and children. As many of them as survived the passage were immediately thrown into slavery. These people came from various locations in Africa. They did not all speak the same language. They were suddenly cut off from the moorings of their native cultures, scattered without regard to their tribal relations, having to adjust themselves to a completely alien civilization, and having to learn a strange language all the while held under an increasingly harsh system; yet, it was from these people that this mass of noble music sprang, this music which is America’s true folk music, and up to this time, the finest distinctive artistic contribution she has to offer the world.