In contrast to recent historiography; this work reasserts the argument that slaves were not merely the victims of a brutal regime; but lived largely separate lives within a distinct sphere.This work; set mainly in the South Carolina Lowcountry and on the Georgia Sea Islands; examines the significance of the communal; sacred; ecstatic dances of African-American slaves in the antebellum era. Religious beliefs of the slaves; from Christianity through to shamanism; are analyzed; as are the importance of music; ceremony; and the spiritual world.This book suggests that religious dance ceremonies were central to the lives of the slaves; and acted as a sacrament through which they made contact with their ancestors; the spirit world; and God himself. Communal dancing; under a Christian banner; was a key element in the formation of an autonomous slave culture. Where recent historiography has tended to undermine the role of the African-American slave culture; preferring instead to examine the darker features of slaves in the United States; this study reasserts the argument that slaves were not merely the victims of a brutal regime; but lived largely separate lives within a distinct sphere.
#193904 in Books Abigail Pogrebin 2007-08-14 2007-08-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x .90 x 5.50l; .69 #File Name: 0767916131402 pagesStars of David Prominent Jews Talk about Being Jewish
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ambivalence may be the name of the gameBy murielwe are [jews] all in this together; wondering where "others"will let us fit in to their groups ; retreating when we need to. no matter your talents; life is never easy.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It was interesting and thought provoking and led to some great discussions. Who could ask for anything better from ...By Barbara MI was not expecting much; but I was pleasantly surprised. I still wonder what her selection process was---probably a convenience sample; Bit in the end; it did not matter. It was interesting and thought provoking and led to some great discussions. Who could ask for anything better from a book?0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The world is too much with us.By Shirley FriendVery interesting book includes interviews with celebrities about their feelings about their Jewishness. The book was well done butI felt it was sad because of the attitudes of some of those interviewed I feel that this generation has lost a great deal of the beautyof the religion. The world is too much with us.It is sad; but I am very glad I read it.Shirley Friend
