A hollowed-out gourd played a symbolic role for runaway slaves.
In the United States, African enslavement began in the 1600s and continued for over 200 years. A hollowed-out gourd played a symbolic role for runaway slaves traveling along the Underground Railroad to the Northern states and Canada, where slavery was illegal.
Encoded Information
The song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" contains encrypted lyrics believed to have aided runaway slaves. The drinking gourd in the song title symbolizes the Big Dipper, a star formation resembling the shape of the utensil used by slaves for scooping water.
Northern Route
The Big Dipper points to Polaris, the North Star. To continue on the northern route to freedom, slaves trekked toward the Big Dipper and the North Star.
Controversy
Although widely believed to have been created and sung by African slaves, controversy exists as to when "Follow the Drinking Gourd" was actually written. Some accounts report that American songwriter and folk singer Lee Hays composed the song in 1947 -- over 80 years after the abolition of slavery in the United States.
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