Art is important for every culture, in every country, on every continent. Art is especially important to those who are oppressed in society. This reasoning is especially true for the culture of African slaves in the United States from 1830 to 1877, who were forced from the lives they knew, stripped of their names, and even beaten into forgetting their heritage. The method for doing this is to examine the works of several slave artists from this era in history, as well as the events that occurred during their daily lives, surrounding the major historical events we study today. Also reading important articles, journals, and historical documents about slaves and slave culture and how they lived during this time in the United States. We then understand better to what extent different forms of artistic expression were essential in the lives of slaves. The right to education and to demonstrate their culture through song and music allowed slaves to pass on their history, morality, and individual stories so that all could join in and learn to tell their story. Therefore, this article will demonstrate that art was important to the culture of American slaves from 1830 to 1877 because it allowed for self-expression, taught history, and practiced morality through education, song, and music. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original EssayMusic and DanceIn music and dance, slaves expressed their personal creativity and cultural heritage. They brought with them aspects of their culture and kept the rhythms of their homeland alive. They created instruments such as drums, banjo, and even wooden flutes to help vibrate the rhythm of their Negro ballads. They rarely had free time, but slaves spent that time enjoying family time, surrounded by dancing and singing together. Slaves used music for many different reasons. Some for celebration, others for ceremonial reasons. The songs were known as “Negro Spirituals” sung in black churches. Songs such as “Adam in the Garden”, then “Wading in the Water” and many other religious hymns to keep them going through the days. Other songs were about the work they had to do and how difficult that work was. Some songs even talked about the harsh treatment the masters gave them and how it made them all feel. Some were sad, others were happy. Overall, slaves put feeling into everything they did and it was beautiful. All the songs they created had roots in their African heritage that they refused to let go of. Other types of songs were work songs and of course entertainment songs. At that time, in the 1830s, "the musical ability of the black race had been recognized for so many years from old plantation folk songs such as "Coal-black Rose" and "Zip Coon," collectively, as well as of five other spiritual people of the world. collection, were regularly sung in black churches and communities. Overall, African Americans have helped shape the roots of culture today; popular music genres such as gospel, jazz and blues that many enjoyed and became accustomed to. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized item now..