0
What was the purpose of slave spirituals like follow the drinking gourd?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Follow The Drinking Gourd was giving directions to freedom. Every other sentence had directions on where to go to find the man who will lead you to freedom. We just did this unit in my English class. Hope this helps.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How did underground slaves know where to go?
The clues are found in Follow the Drinking Gourd.
What were some hymns used as symbols by the slaves to escape through the underground railroad?
I believe one was "Follow the Drinking Gourd".
Where is the drinking gourd located?
The "Drinking Gourd" is an alternate name of the Big Dipper, an asterism (star formation) in the northern sky. The dipper stars in the "bowl" of the Big Dipper point to Polaris, the pole star. Walking towards the pole star (following the Drinking Gourd) takes you northwards.
Where did African slaves practice their religion?
Slaves who were brought over to America practiced their religion everywhere. We hear their spirituals every day and these were not only songs of praise and hope, but sometimes even codes. "Follow the Drinking Gourd" is a song that tells slaves how to get to the underground railroad so that they may have freedom. Also, there is never a 'set place' for people to be active in their religion. For Methodists, God said 'whenever 2 or more of you are gathered, I am with you.' Many people will say their prayers before bed and when they awaken or before meals.
When slaves escaped how did they find their way?
Escaping slaves were often helped by volunteers in an organization known as the Underground Railroad (a metaphorical name; there was no actual railroad involved). Aside from that, escaping slaves just had to go north to get out of the slave holding states, so as navigational problems go it was fairly simple. It is possible to determine which way is north by examining the stars; the Big Dipper (also known during this era as the Drinking Gourd, based on African tradition) is in the north. There is a charming folk song from this era, Follow The Drinking Gourd.
Follow the drinking gourd?
the secret code
What was the song follow the drinking gourd used for?
it was sung by runaway slaves. the 'drinking gourd' is in reference to the big dipper (the stars)
What is slaves songs for the big dipper?
follow the drinking gourd
What was the code word in the underground railroad song for the big dipper?
The code word for the Big Dipper in the underground railroad song was "Follow the Drinking Gourd." This was a reference to using the constellation of the Big Dipper as a navigational guide to escape to the North.
Where can you listen to Follow the Drinking Gourd?
on youtube or you can look in a book or at school
What are the release dates for Reading Rainbow - 1983 Follow the Drinking Gourd 10-1?
Reading Rainbow - 1983 Follow the Drinking Gourd 10-1 was released on: USA: 18 October 1993
Was the drinking gourd the big dipper?
Yes. The slaves would sing a song from the underground railroad and the line they would repeat was; "Follow the Drinking Gourd" Which told the slaves to follow the Big Dipper, North to freedom.
How do you know the way to liberty?
Follow the drinking gourd or go to the NORTH.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FRREEDDOOMM!!!
How did underground slaves know where to go?
The clues are found in Follow the Drinking Gourd.
Read the lyrics to Follow the Drinking Gourd and Go down Moses What is the significance of the words in these songs?
words in the scotish folk song "follow in drinking go "
What was Harriet Tubman song she sang during her journey?
I think it was called follow the drinking gourd
What were they following when they sung the drinking gourd?
They sing it so the slaves would sing it while they were working to tell other slaves to follow the drinking gourd big dipper the tonight and it will lead them to freedom.
