By The Open Center

African American history began in 1619, when the first slave ship arrived in Virginia. Those that survived the trauma of the middle passage carried with them the stories, folktales, myths and songs they knew from Africa–keeping the culture, customs and memories of their ancestors alive by way of oral tradition. Every occasion of life–birth, marriage, harvest, death–was commemorated by a song or story and these memories have been preserved and passed down through generations.

During their enslavement, African Americans were kept from learning to read and write so they adapted their oral traditions to share information with each other and record their history in America for future generations.

The past is important in understanding our history and figuring out our identity. Without the dedication of the first African Americans to keep these memories alive through oral tradition, it is likely that much of their story would have been lost.

This Friday features Famoro Dioubate, “the world’s greatest player” of the West African xylophone (known as the bala).

SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON:

How likely are you to keep these conversations going beyond the month of February?

Take time to talk to your peers, family, friends and colleagues. Start by listening to this discussion honoring Dr. King, held by Open Center team member Timothy Simonson.