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The Ring Shout was a religious dance brought from West Africa. Slaves would move in a counterclockwise circle, shuffling their feet and clapping. This tradition combined African rhythms with Christian worship, creating a unique form of spiritual expression.

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Hoodoo, a form of traditional folk magic, blended West African spiritual practices with Native American and European influences. Slaves used it for protection, healing, and harm prevention, often incorporating local herbs and roots.

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The banjo, a staple of Southern music, originated from West African instruments like the akonting. Slaves recreated these familiar instruments, eventually leading to the development of the modern banjo and influencing American musical traditions.

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Call and response patterns, common in West African music, became a significant feature in slave work songs and field hollers. This tradition laid the foundation for future African American musical genres like blues and gospel.

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Principles of Black Music: Call & Response

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Okra, a vegetable native to Africa, was brought to the Americas through the slave trade. It became a staple in Southern cuisine, used in dishes like gumbo and served fried. Slaves used okra to thicken stews, a cooking technique from their homeland.

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West African rice-growing expertise was crucial in establishing rice plantations in the South. Slaves from rice-growing regions of Africa, like the 'Rice Coast,' were specifically sought after for their knowledge and skills in rice cultivation.

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The Gullah language, spoken by descendants of slaves in the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia, preserved many West African words and grammatical structures. It's a testament to the resilience of African linguistic traditions in the face of slavery.

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WIKITONGUES: Caroline speaking Gullah and English

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Stories featuring Br'er Rabbit and other animal characters have roots in West African folklore. Slaves adapted these tales to their new environment, using them to entertain and to convey subtle messages of resistance and survival.

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African textile traditions influenced slave-made quilts in the South. Some historians suggest that certain quilt patterns were used as coded messages in the Underground Railroad, though this theory is debated.

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The coiled basket technique, seen in the famous sweetgrass baskets of South Carolina, came directly from West Africa. Slaves used local materials to continue this craft, which remains an important cultural tradition today.