BLACK MAJORITY:
NEGROES IN COLONIAL SOUTH CAROLINA FROM 1670
THROUGH THE STONO REBELLION
Black Majority: Negroes in Colonial South Carolina from 1970 through the Stono Rebellion is a detailed account of slavery in colonial South Carolina and the way in which African culture contributed to the economic and social development of the colony.
African slaves were among the first settlers of South Carolina. They had already been taken from Africa and forced into labor in the West Indies by Europeans. As the economy based on rice cultivation expanded in South Carolina, the need for human labor increased. Rather than importing white servants from Europe or more slaves from Africa, the colonizers turned to Barbados, where a significant number of Europeans and slaves still worked and dwelled. Once South Carolina was settled and continued to import African slaves, Barbados served as a transitional location where slaves would be “seasoned” for the tasks that they were to perform in South Carolina. This temporary location for the slaves made economic sense for the colonizers because they would not have to travel all the way to Africa to obtain manual labor and the slaves would be pre-conditioned for the subtropical climate and work awaiting them in South Carolina. As more and more slaves were imported from Barbados and later Africa, the black population exploded and it quickly surpassed the population of white settlers.
This black majority contributed to the development of South Carolina in ways beyond European capabilities. “No development had greater impact upon the course of South Carolina history than the successful introduction of rice” (Wood 35).
The emergence of the black majority and the explosion of rice culture go hand-in-hand. Once rice became the center of the South Carolinian economy, black slaves were imported in greater amounts. These slaves were familiar with the cultivation of rice from their experiences in Africa. Without their expertise, this economy would not have developed and thrived to the extent that it did.
The emergence of the black majority and the explosion of rice culture go hand-in-hand. Once rice became the center of the South Carolinian economy, black slaves were imported in greater amounts. These slaves were familiar with the cultivation of rice from their experiences in Africa. Without their expertise, this economy would not have developed and thrived to the extent that it did.
Wood describes the development of a slave culture and paints the picture of a rigid divide among the black and white communities. Because the Europeans rarely visited the swamp-lands where the slaves lived and worked, there was minimal interaction among the groups and the slaves were able to maintain many of their African traditions. This cultural separation led to increasing tensions between the black slaves and their white owners. These tensions built up and ultimately led to the Stono Rebellion in 1739. Wood claims that this uprising “seemed to symbolize the critical impasse in which Carolina’s English colonists now found themselves…the Stono Uprising can also be seen as a turning point in the history of South Carolina’s black population” (308). This event can be seen as a “turning point” because it was the first time that Negroes came together in an organized effort to act out against their enslavement and unjust treatment. While justice was not immediately gained as a result of the Stono Rebellion, the actions of these South Carolinian slaves brought future generations one step closer to freedom.
DISEASE
Another factor contributing to the large slave population was that of disease resistance. Many Africans possessed the gene for sickle-cell anemia. This genetic defect benefited the afflicted individual by providing a partial immunity to the various tropical diseases that plagued the southern colonies and the West Indies. Malaria and Yellow Fever are the most discussed diseases that affected the colonial settlement. While the Europeans suffered and slowly dwindled in numbers, the African slaves were able to continue with their work and remain relatively unaffected by the frequent outbreaks of disease.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/182763?&Search=yes&term=united&term=slave&term=trade&term=variations%2C&term=anaemia%2C&term=genetic&term=cell&term=states&term=sickle&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3Dsickle%2Bcell%2Banaemia%252C%2Bgenetic%2Bvariations%252C%2Band%2Bthe%2Bslave%2Btrade%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bunited%2Bstates%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DAND%26q1%3D%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DAND%26q2%3D%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=1&ttl=7&returnA
This essay, “Sickle Cell Anaemia, Genetic Variations, and the Slave Trade to the United States”, gives a detailed, scientific breakdown of this genetic defect while providing information about the geographical origins and distribution of this disease. The particular strain of alleles that an individual with sickle-cell possesses is thought to be directly related to the individual’s geographical origins in Africa. Human DNA is made up of chromosomes, which hold genetic material. Each of these chromosomes contain sets of alleles that are coded for specific genetic traits. These sets of alleles are known as haplotypes. The three main haplotypes for the sickle-cell trait are the Ben, Sen, and CAR haplotypes. These get their names from their regions of origin: Benin, Senegal, and the Central African Republic.
As discussed in Black Majority, the African slave trade focused primarily on the West Coast of Africa where these haplotypes originated. Therefore, one can infer that the African resistance to tropical diseases in colonial South Carolina results from the inheritance of theses particular genetic codes for sickle-cell anemia originating on the West Coast of Africa.
SLAVE CULTURE & LANGUAGE
One development of the slave culture that expanded upon African culture was the language spoken by many slaves. This language, known as Gullah, stems from a number of African languages, as well as English picked up by slaves in the West Indies.
DISEASE
Another factor contributing to the large slave population was that of disease resistance. Many Africans possessed the gene for sickle-cell anemia. This genetic defect benefited the afflicted individual by providing a partial immunity to the various tropical diseases that plagued the southern colonies and the West Indies. Malaria and Yellow Fever are the most discussed diseases that affected the colonial settlement. While the Europeans suffered and slowly dwindled in numbers, the African slaves were able to continue with their work and remain relatively unaffected by the frequent outbreaks of disease.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/182763?&Search=yes&term=united&term=slave&term=trade&term=variations%2C&term=anaemia%2C&term=genetic&term=cell&term=states&term=sickle&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3Dsickle%2Bcell%2Banaemia%252C%2Bgenetic%2Bvariations%252C%2Band%2Bthe%2Bslave%2Btrade%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bunited%2Bstates%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DAND%26q1%3D%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DAND%26q2%3D%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=1&ttl=7&returnA
This essay, “Sickle Cell Anaemia, Genetic Variations, and the Slave Trade to the United States”, gives a detailed, scientific breakdown of this genetic defect while providing information about the geographical origins and distribution of this disease. The particular strain of alleles that an individual with sickle-cell possesses is thought to be directly related to the individual’s geographical origins in Africa. Human DNA is made up of chromosomes, which hold genetic material. Each of these chromosomes contain sets of alleles that are coded for specific genetic traits. These sets of alleles are known as haplotypes. The three main haplotypes for the sickle-cell trait are the Ben, Sen, and CAR haplotypes. These get their names from their regions of origin: Benin, Senegal, and the Central African Republic.
As discussed in Black Majority, the African slave trade focused primarily on the West Coast of Africa where these haplotypes originated. Therefore, one can infer that the African resistance to tropical diseases in colonial South Carolina results from the inheritance of theses particular genetic codes for sickle-cell anemia originating on the West Coast of Africa.
SLAVE CULTURE & LANGUAGE
One development of the slave culture that expanded upon African culture was the language spoken by many slaves. This language, known as Gullah, stems from a number of African languages, as well as English picked up by slaves in the West Indies.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=2&hid=7&sid=359b671e-9eef-495b-a6bb-457ee96895da%40sessionmgr2&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=9605235105
This language and culture developed centuries ago is still maintained in certain parts of South Carolina and Georgia. It is believed that particular African languages influence specific parts of Gullah speech. For instance, “Kongo, Yoruba, Mende, and Ewe” serve as the main sources for personal names, while “words in stories are almost exclusively in Mende and Vai (of the Windward Coast)” (Pollitzer).
There are a number of African words that still exist today and are used regularly. For example, the word “gumbo” is of African origins. Gumbo is a huge part of “southern culture” and the fact that the African word is still used to this day is a significant example of the lasting influence of African culture in America.
Another example of lasting cultural influence would be baskets woven out of Palmetto leaves:
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/28/basket_weaving_endures_from_african_tool52170/
In colonial times, slaves would weave these baskets in order to aid them in the process of rice cultivation. Today, these baskets are still made and sold in South Carolina. While they do not serve the same purpose, their lasting existence is another example of the influence of slave culture.
AFRICAN INFLUENCE
In addition to rice cultivation, African slaves possessed a number of other skills which proved to be beneficial to the development of colonial South Carolina. Unlike the European colonists, most Africans were familiar with the practice of open-range grazing and were able to put their pre-established skills into action. Slaves from particular regions of Africa, such as along the Gambia River, were considered “expert horsemen and herders” (30). These abilities were easily applied to open grazing on the American frontier.
Dugout canoes were a major form of transportation along the waterways of colonial South Carolina. These boats were carved out of single trees by both Native Americans and African slaves. This form of transportation aided in fishing. While these were common among natives and slaves, Europeans were often incapable of utilizing the dugout canoes.
WORKS CITED
Johnson, Jessica. “Basket Weaving Endures from African Tool to American Art.” The
Post and Courier 28 Aug. 2008. 18 Nov. 2008.
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/28/basket_weaving_endures_from_african_tool52170/
This language and culture developed centuries ago is still maintained in certain parts of South Carolina and Georgia. It is believed that particular African languages influence specific parts of Gullah speech. For instance, “Kongo, Yoruba, Mende, and Ewe” serve as the main sources for personal names, while “words in stories are almost exclusively in Mende and Vai (of the Windward Coast)” (Pollitzer).
There are a number of African words that still exist today and are used regularly. For example, the word “gumbo” is of African origins. Gumbo is a huge part of “southern culture” and the fact that the African word is still used to this day is a significant example of the lasting influence of African culture in America.
Another example of lasting cultural influence would be baskets woven out of Palmetto leaves:
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/28/basket_weaving_endures_from_african_tool52170/
In colonial times, slaves would weave these baskets in order to aid them in the process of rice cultivation. Today, these baskets are still made and sold in South Carolina. While they do not serve the same purpose, their lasting existence is another example of the influence of slave culture.
AFRICAN INFLUENCE
In addition to rice cultivation, African slaves possessed a number of other skills which proved to be beneficial to the development of colonial South Carolina. Unlike the European colonists, most Africans were familiar with the practice of open-range grazing and were able to put their pre-established skills into action. Slaves from particular regions of Africa, such as along the Gambia River, were considered “expert horsemen and herders” (30). These abilities were easily applied to open grazing on the American frontier.
Dugout canoes were a major form of transportation along the waterways of colonial South Carolina. These boats were carved out of single trees by both Native Americans and African slaves. This form of transportation aided in fishing. While these were common among natives and slaves, Europeans were often incapable of utilizing the dugout canoes.
WORKS CITED
Johnson, Jessica. “Basket Weaving Endures from African Tool to American Art.” The
Post and Courier 28 Aug. 2008. 18 Nov. 2008.
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/28/basket_weaving_endures_from_african_tool52170/
Pollitzer, William S. “The Relationship of the Gullah-Speaking People of Coastal South
Carolina and Georgia to their African Ancestors.” Historical Methods 26.2 (1993). < http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=2&hid=7&sid=359b671e-9eef495ba6bb457ee96895da%40sessionmgr2&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=9605235105>
Carolina and Georgia to their African Ancestors.” Historical Methods 26.2 (1993). < http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=2&hid=7&sid=359b671e-9eef495ba6bb457ee96895da%40sessionmgr2&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=9605235105>
Schroeder, Walter A., and Edwin S. Munger. “Sickle Cell Anaemia, Genetic Variations,
and the Slave Trade to the United States.” Journal of African History 31 (1990):163-180.
and the Slave Trade to the United States.” Journal of African History 31 (1990):163-180.
Wood, Peter H. Black Majority: Negroes in Colonial South Carolina from 1670 through
the Stono Rebellion. New York: W.W.Norton and Company, 1974.
the Stono Rebellion. New York: W.W.Norton and Company, 1974.