What skills did enslaved Africans bring from Africa?

Slaves had many Excellent skills and talents which made plantations economically self-sufficient. The skills of slave blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, weavers and other artisans were all used to keep plantations running smoothly and efficiently. This also added little expense to the owners. These same abilities were used to improve conditions on the plantation so that slaves developed not only a spirit of self-reliance but experienced a measure of autonomy. These skills, when added to other talents for cooking, quilting, medicine, music, song, dance, and storytelling instilled in slaves the sense that as a group, they were not only competent but gifted.

Slaves used their talents to change some of the daily assaults of bondage. They saw themselves as strong, valuable people who were unjustly held against their will rather than as the perpetually dependent children or immoral scoundrels described by so many of their owners. Indeed, they found through their artistry some moments of happiness, particularly by telling tales which portrayed work in humorous terms or when singing satirical songs which mocked their owners.