Uncovering the Hidden Uses of Metal Masks During Slavery

This article explores the brutal use of metal masks during slavery, which served multiple oppressive purposes. Firstly, these masks prevented enslaved Africans from eating harvested crops like fruits and sugar, forcing them to work tirelessly on plantations. Secondly, they were used to suppress African spiritual and cultural expressions, such as songs that conveyed messages of resistance and unity. Thirdly, the masks silenced the teaching of African languages, ensuring enslaved people could not pass down their native dialects to future generations. In some cases, slave masters would place fruits like apples in the mouths of the enslaved before securing the mask with padlocks, effectively silencing them. This is just one example of the many atrocities inflicted upon our ancestors by colonizers, who used religion and division as tools of mental and physical domination. It is important to remember and reflect on these dark chapters of history to honor our heritage and resilience.

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