5 Revolutionary African-Based Customs That Saved Us During Slavery and Beyond
As we celebrate Juneteenth and Black American liberation from chattel slavery, let us also remember to celebrate Black resilience, Black ingenuity, and unapologetic Black joy. Our ancestors were fighters, healers, and inventors who truly revolutionized the way we all currently live.
Today, I’m sharing the creative and radical ways our ancestors invoked their African roots and customs to miraculously survive one of the darkest ages in human history.
These were revolutionary acts of wellness to overcome dehumanization, racism and organized genocide by forging a path forward in the Light amidst the darkness.
1. Braided & Protective Hair Styles
Corn rows, plaits, locs, twists, and more were all adorned by our ancestors for reasons beyond style and hair protection. Enslaved Africans kidnapped from their native lands would hide seeds and nuts in their braids during the horrific transatlantic voyage to ensure they had access to growing food wherever they landed. Braided styles also served as secret maps for harrowing escapes to safe places for freedom.
The act of braiding hair dates back thousands of years as a form of community bonding, self-care, social status, and beauty. Today, it remains an important wellness custom among many people all over the world.
2. Ancestral Altars
Many African tribes and religions viewed ancestral reverence and rituals as the center of life for the village. Despite the attempted erasure of African-based religions and spiritual practices by European colonizers, enslaved peoples found other ways to practice their rituals in secret, including the use of ancestral altars.
Ancestral altars were sacred spaces, hidden from plain sight, to honor those who came before us and made our existence possible. In African traditions, our ancestors are seen as our protectors, guides, and helpers from the spiritual realm. During slavery, Jim Crow, and even now, ancestral altars serve as inspiring beacons of hope, remembrance, and resilience.
3. Cooking with Herbs & Spices
African-American cuisine harnesses techniques from African culinary practices to enhance food flavor and presentation. This was an especially handy approach when enslaved Africans were subjected by slavers to eat lowly food scraps as a way to create a racist-based inferiority complex.
Black Americans rebuked this by using their genius culinary alchemy to create delicious food. The act of adding fragrant herbs and spices transformed what seemed less favorable into yummy, nourishing dishes known as soul food. Today, Black American soul food is a global cuisine and is finally starting to receive the long-overdue respect it deserves.
4. Healing with Nature
From the beginning, Black people had to be their own doctors. Whether it was rootwork, Voudou, or Hoodoo, they are all healing and spiritual traditions birthed from pre-colonial African spirituality and medicine. They depended on nature for medicinal herbs/plants and rituals to cure common ailments. Nature helped them to endure and heal from unimaginable traumas sustained to their bodies, minds, and spirits. Even to this day, many Black Americans still revere the power of natural medicine.
5. Drumming, Singing & Rhythmic Dancing
It’s undeniable that music lives in the soul of Black people. Ranging from call-and-respond songs to prayer chants, drumming circles, or Spirit dancing, music was and still is a vital aspect of Black wellness. Daily songs, rhythm, and movement brought communities together to give praise to God, release trauma/pain, and even help channel divine wisdom. Black American music was birthed from African traditions and serves as a powerful driver in shaping the culture of popular music today.
Our ancestors were revolutionary, and their adapted African customs continue to impact the world we live in today. They never forgot where they came from, despite being stripped away from their homes, language, and families. We owe our current existence to their sacrifices and tenacity to shine their inner Light no matter what. So the next time you find yourself enjoying one of these acts of wellness, remember to say a special thank you to the ancestors, and remember our wellness is for the culture!
Disclaimer: Dr. Ray’s content/articles are for informational purposes only and do not offer medical advice.
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