Call and response

African cultures

In some African cultures, call-and-response is a widespread pattern of democratic participation—in public gatherings, in the discussion of civic affairs, in religious rituals, as well as in vocal and instrumental musical expression (see call and response in music). African bondsmen and bondswomen in the Americas continued this practice over the centuries in various forms of expression—in religious observance; public gatherings; even in children's rhymes; and, most notably, in music in its multiple forms: blues, gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, hip-hop and go-go. Many work songs sung on plantations by enslaved men and women also incorporate the call and response format. Enslaved Africans in America carried this practice into work songs, ring outs where “leaders” created random chants to be answered by the group, creating cohesion between the workers. African-American women work songs incorporate the call and response format, a format that fosters dialogue. In contemporary African-American worship services, where call and response is pervasive, a pastor will call out to his congregants to engage an enthusiastic response. For example "Can I get an Amen?" or "Raise your hands and give Him praise!"

Call and response is derived from the historical African roots that served as the foundation for African American cultural traditions. The call and response format became a diasporic tradition, and it was part of Africans and African Americans creating a new, unique tradition in the United States.

While slave masters encouraged conversion of slaves to Christianity, African slaves still practiced their own form of religious celebration, which was called Slave Christianity. But antiphony, a kind of call and response in Anglican worship, was also part of formal services in the South for centuries. African Americans put that tradition to their own use, as well as picking themes from Christianity that meant the most to them. It can be used throughout life.

References

References

1. McAleavy, A., [https://www.scotwork.co.uk/insights/negotiation-skills-training-blog-2024/what-do-we-want-when-do-we-want-it-now/ What do we want, when do we want it? Now!], published on 20 June 2024, accessed on 22 June 2025
2. (2013). "Slave Culture Nationalist Theory and the Foundations of Black America". Oxford University Press.
3. Epstein, Dena J, ''Sinful Tunes and Spirituals: Black Folk Music to the Civil War''. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1977.