The slave culture was a blending of African and Western practices. The blending of these two distinct cultures created an entirely new entity, which was eventually absorbed into part of the American culture as one of its subcultures. Many factors contributed to this culture; the music, for example, helped the slaves get into a steady rhythm as they picked crops and did field work, and helped them take the mind of their work. They related strongly with the Hebrew culture and stories of enslavement to Egypt, and strongly emphasised this in their religion.
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Slaves developed their own culture as a way to resist and cope with the trauma of oppression. This culture provided a sense of community, identity, and strength in the face of adversity. It also allowed slaves to preserve their heritage and traditions in a new environment.
Ethnocentrism.
The Atlantic slave trade led to the displacement and loss of many skilled craftsmen and professionals in Africa, destabilizing local economies and traditional societies. This loss of human capital weakened Africa's ability to develop and innovate, leading to a stagnation of its culture and economy as resources were extracted to supply the demand for slave labor.
Slaves owned by Africans were sometimes given more rights, better treatment, and opportunities for integration into society, such as the possibility of marrying into the owner's family or achieving freedom. In comparison, slaves owned by Europeans were often subjected to harsher conditions, faced higher levels of brutality, and had limited chances for social mobility or freedom.
People learn about their culture through various means such as family traditions, social interactions, education, media, and cultural events. This exposure helps individuals develop an understanding of their cultural norms, values, beliefs, practices, and language. Engaging with different cultural experiences and exploring one's own heritage can also deepen a person's appreciation and connection to their culture.
Ethnocentrism is the anthropological term for the belief that one's own culture is superior to others. This perspective often leads to judgments and evaluations of other cultures based on one's own cultural norms and values.