Chapter One 1.0 Background to the Study Negro Spirituals and Gospel Songs are part of the vernacular traditions of the African American people. The vernacular traditions point to black oral forms, creatively created through each phase of the African American culture and presence in the United States. It is a dynamic and continuous process of expressions that chiefly rely on the medium of language in mirroring and evaluating black experience within the American society. Ralph Ellison cited in Gates and Mckay (1997:02) argues that the “vernacular art accounts, to a large degree, for the black American‟s legacy of self-awareness and endurance.” In other words, the constant contact between black and white in the United States produced in African Americans a profound anxiety with regards to their status and quest for equality and justice. In the light of this, the varied expressions of vernacular art portray the long struggle for freedom, better life and dignity over the centuries, and the African Americans‟ attempt to humanize an often harsh world through expressive modes. Therefore, the African American vernacular: consists of forms sacred – songs, prayers, and sermons – as well as secular – work songs, secular rhymes and songs, blues jazz, and stories of many kinds. It also consists of dances… (Gates and Mckay 1997:03). Although the aforementioned forms vary in their aesthetic qualities, the vernacular forms share traits that reflect African background. Some of the traits include call/response patterns, dance beats (both in musical form and in the rhythm of a tale or rhyme), group creation, and most importantly, improvisation (Mckay 1997:04).

1. 1. This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research work
2. 2. As a source for additional understanding of the subject.
3. 3. As a source for ideas for your own research work (if properly referenced).
4. 4. For PROPER paraphrasing (see your university definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase)
5. 5. Direct citing (if referenced properly)
Thank you so much for your respect to the authors copyright.