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it was sung by runaway slaves.

the 'drinking gourd' is in reference to the big dipper (the stars)

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What were some hymns used as symbols by the slaves to escape through the underground railroad?

I believe one was "Follow the Drinking Gourd".


What does the drinking gourd refer to in songs lyrics?

The "drinking gourd" in song lyrics, particularly in the context of African American spirituals, refers to the Big Dipper constellation. It served as a navigational guide for enslaved people escaping to freedom via the Underground Railroad. The songs often used coded messages, and the "drinking gourd" symbolized hope and direction towards liberation.


What did slaves call the big dipper?

Slaves called the Big Dipper the "Drinking Gourd" because its shape resembled a gourd or ladle that could be used for drinking water. Slaves used the Drinking Gourd as a navigational tool to help them escape to freedom along the Underground Railroad.


Why was the big dipper called the drinking gourd?

The Big Dipper was called the "drinking gourd" by slaves in the United States because they believed its shape resembled a hollowed-out gourd that could be used for drinking water. This nickname was used as a way to remember the star formation and to help guide them to freedom along the Underground Railroad.


What did Peg Leg Joe do for the slaves?

peg leg joe helped the slaves to freedom by teaching slaves the song"Follow the Drinkking Gourd". the song had coded instructions in the song that slaves used to go to fredom.


How did Harriet Tubman know where to go on her way north?

Harriet Tubman knew where to go on her way north thabks to an old "negro spiritual" that was sung by slaves called follow the drinking gourd. It had a hidden meaning known by slaves and underground railroad operators. The song was filled with double meanings and hidden instructions on how to escape to the north, where they would be free from slavery. a gourd was a tool used for retreaving water for drinking. It's hidden meaning was code name for the Big Dipper star formation, which points to Polaris, the Pole Star, and North.


What plants can be used as medicine and what do they cure?

bitter gourd leaves -for diabetes boil leaves in water for drinking and you will be cured! cha-ching


The constellation that contains the pointer stars used to locate Polaris the North Star?

Ursa Major/The Great Bear/The Plough/The Big Dipper/The Drinking Gourd.


Why did the slaves call the big dipper?

Slaves called the Big Dipper the "Drinking Gourd" as a way to navigate their escape to freedom. They used its position in the night sky to find the North Star, which pointed them north towards freedom along the Underground Railroad.


Is gourd a patola or upo?

Gourd can refer to both patola and upo, but they are distinct types of vegetables. Patola, also known as ridged gourd or snake gourd, is a specific variety with a ridged texture and is commonly used in Asian cuisines. Upo, or bottle gourd, is a smoother, elongated gourd often used in soups and stir-fries. While both belong to the gourd family, they differ in appearance and culinary use.


How can you use the word gourd in a sentence?

My mother used to grow gourds to use for decoration but the native people used the gourd as household utensils.


What did people use gourd bowls for when they had just been started being made?

People used gourd bowls (when they had just been started being made) for eating. Gourd bowls were also used to carry water and to drink from.