World of a Slave: Encyclopedia of the Material Life of Slaves in the United States 2 volumes

About this book

Although many encyclopedias discuss slavery enslaved blacks and African American life and culture none focus on the material world of slaves such as what they saw; touched; heard; ate drank and smoked; wore; worked with and in; used cultivated crafted played and played with; and slept on. The two-volume World of a Slave: Encyclopedia of the Material Life of Slaves in the United States is a landmark work in this important new field of study. Recognizing that a full understanding of the complexity of American slavery and its legacy requires an understanding of the material culture of slavery the encyclopedia includes entries on almost every aspect of that material culture beginning in the 17th century and extending through the Civil War. Readers will find information on animals documents economy education and literacy food and drink home music personal items places religion rites of passage slavery structures and work. There are also introductory essays on literacy and oral culture and on music and dance.