How Did Music And Dance Affect African American Culture

Music and dance have played a vital role in culture over many years, and still does today. Through many years music and dance have helped Native American and African-American culture survive, persevere, and thrive. They have preserved their culture, and their music/dance is a constant reminder of what each culture has faced and overcome. Their music/dances are alive today, and are appreciated by many. Native Americans and African-Americans have been fighting to preserve their culture since Americans tried to take it away. They may have lost much during that battle, but the heart of their culture, which is in their music and dance, never faded.
African American slavery began in the 1600’s and didn’t end until 1865. Throughout this difficult …show more content…
Traditional Native American ceremonies of the past have altered, and only a few dances are still performed. Although dance has many forms it continues to provide a cultural bridge for Native Americans. The Choctaw Indians did not have a writing system until the 1800’s, which made oration, song, and dance vital for their culture. These traditions have been passed down through generations to inform and educate Choctaw Indians on the proper beliefs of their culture. The Choctaw Indians loved to make and enjoy music, sing, and dance. They incorporated it into their ceremonies and social interactions. The Plains Indians practiced music and dance ceremonially. The Sun Dance, Gourd Dance, and Feather Dance were a few Plains Indian dances that were meant to maintain peace within their world. Before the white settlers arrived in North America, tribes could practice their music and dance ceremonies freely. Things changed considerably as white settlers began moving into the land that had been home to the Native Americans. Through these major changes, the Natives relied on their religious beliefs to give them strength. Because their religious ceremonies, including song and dance, were very strange and threatening to the new settlers, the United States government eventually banned some. However, the Native American population was not ready to give up their cultural ceremonies. After some ceremonies were banned, the natives fought back, while maintaining their cultural roots through other dance ceremonies. Later, as the bans were lifted and the ceremonies were reintroduced, some did not return to their original form. For example, the Gourd Dance remained a tradition of warriors, but is now commonly practiced as an arena blessing ceremony rather than a victory celebration. Although many Native Americans still practice their heritage, some married white