The Drinking Gourd A Story Of The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses that were used by African-American slaves to escape from slavery in the southern United States. One of the symbols used to guide slaves to freedom was the Drinking Gourd or the Big Dipper.
The Origin of the Drinking Gourd
The Drinking Gourd is a nickname for the Big Dipper, which is a constellation of stars in the northern sky. It was called the Drinking Gourd because it resembles a gourd that was used for drinking water. The nickname was popularized by the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd," which was a code song used by slaves to help them escape to freedom.
The song was written by an unknown person in the 19th century and was first published in 1928. It was sung by slaves as they worked in the fields and was passed down orally from generation to generation. The song was used to communicate a secret message to slaves that they should follow the North Star, which is located in the Little Dipper, to reach freedom.
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was not an actual railroad, but rather a network of secret routes and safe houses that were used by African-American slaves to escape from slavery in the southern United States. It was called the Underground Railroad because it operated in secret and was hidden from view, much like a railroad that is located underground.
The Underground Railroad was not run by any one person or organization, but rather by a network of people who were committed to helping slaves escape to freedom. The network included both black and white abolitionists, who risked their lives to help slaves escape. The network also included free blacks who had escaped slavery themselves and were now helping others to do the same.
The Role of the Drinking Gourd in the Underground Railroad
The Drinking Gourd played an important role in the Underground Railroad as a symbol to guide slaves to freedom. Slaves were often illiterate and could not read maps or written directions. Therefore, they relied on symbols and codes to help them navigate their way to freedom.
The Drinking Gourd was used as a symbol to guide slaves to freedom because it was a familiar object that slaves would recognize. The song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" was sung by abolitionists to help slaves remember the code. The song contained directions on how to follow the North Star, which was located in the Little Dipper, to reach freedom.
The Drinking Gourd was also used as a code to help slaves identify safe houses along the Underground Railroad. Abolitionists would carve a picture of the Drinking Gourd on a tree or fence post near a safe house to let slaves know that it was a safe place to stop.
The Legacy of the Drinking Gourd
The Drinking Gourd has become a symbol of hope and freedom for African-Americans. The song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" has been passed down through generations and is still sung today as a reminder of the struggle for freedom and the power of the human spirit.
The Drinking Gourd has also inspired artists and writers, who have used the symbol in their works. For example, the book "The Drinking Gourd" by F.N. Monjo is a children's book that tells the story of a family of slaves who use the Drinking Gourd to escape to freedom.
The Drinking Gourd is a powerful symbol that represents the courage and determination of those who fought for freedom. It reminds us of the sacrifices that were made to end slavery and the ongoing struggle for equality.