Negro spiritual facts for kids

• For the religious meaning of "spiritual" see Spirituality

Spirituals (also called Negro spirituals) are special songs that were sung by enslaved Black people in the United States. These songs were created in the 1700s and 1800s. Many spirituals have Christian themes in their words. This is because enslaved Black people often found comfort in religion. It helped them deal with the great pain and hardship of slavery. Negro spirituals mix traditional West African music styles with the style of Christian hymns from Europe.

What Are Spirituals?

Spirituals are a unique type of folk music. They were created by African slaves in America. These songs were a way for people to express their feelings. They sang about their suffering and their hopes. Spirituals are often sung without instruments. They rely on powerful voices and rhythms.

Why Were Spirituals Sung?

Enslaved people faced very difficult lives. They had no freedom and worked very hard. Singing spirituals helped them cope. The songs were a way to share their sorrow. They also shared their dreams of freedom. Many songs used hidden meanings. They talked about escaping to freedom. They also talked about a better life after death.

How Spirituals Sounded

Spirituals often use a "call and response" style. One person sings a line, and a group sings back. This style comes from West African music. The songs also have strong rhythms. They often include clapping and foot-stomping. This made the music very lively and powerful. The words often came from the Bible. They told stories of hope and deliverance.

The Legacy of Spirituals

Spirituals are very important to American music history. They are the foundation for many other music styles. These include Gospel music, blues, and jazz. After slavery ended, spirituals continued to be sung. Groups like the Fisk Jubilee Singers helped share them with the world. They performed spirituals in concerts. This helped people understand the strength and beauty of this music.

Related pages

• Gospel music

Images for kids

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  Engraving of Douglass from his 1845 narrative

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  Portrait of James Weldon Johnson in 1932

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  Fisk Jubilee Singers, 1875

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  Photograph of Harry T. Burleigh, 1936

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  Robert Nathaniel Dett in the 1920s

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  Mamie Smith

See also

In Spanish: Espiritual para niños