1. Mutual Support and Community:
- Enslaved people found strength and solace in their communities. They created close-knit networks that provided emotional, social, and practical support.
2. Resistance:
- Enslaved people engaged in various forms of resistance, ranging from small acts of defiance to larger-scale rebellions.
3. Cultural Preservation:
- They preserved their African cultural traditions, music, religion, and storytelling to maintain a sense of identity and cultural continuity.
4. Self-Education:
- Some slaves managed to acquire basic literacy skills, either secretly or with the help of sympathetic individuals, to improve their chances of freedom or to enrich their lives.
5. Economic Activities:
- Many slaves engaged in economic activities, such as selling produce from their gardens or crafting items to trade or sell, to obtain additional resources.
6. Medicinal Knowledge:
- They relied on traditional African healing practices and knowledge of medicinal plants to treat illnesses and maintain health.
7. Religious Faith:
- Religious practices provided spiritual comfort and a source of hope for many enslaved people, helping them cope with the harsh realities of their situation.
8. Music and Arts:
- Music, storytelling, and artistic expression became outlets for enslaved people to communicate their experiences, emotions, and aspirations.
9. Runaways and Underground Railroad:
- Some slaves risked great danger by attempting to escape and seek freedom through the Underground Railroad, a network of individuals who helped them reach the free states or Canada.
10. Legal Actions:
- A small number of enslaved individuals pursued legal avenues, such as lawsuits or petitions, to gain their freedom.
It's essential to recognize that these acts of survival and resistance came at great personal risk and required incredible courage, determination, and ingenuity in the face of brutal oppression and dehumanization. Despite their extraordinary efforts, enslaved people faced constant threats to their lives, safety, and well-being, and the institution of slavery cast a long shadow over their lives and those of their descendants.