Indigenous cultural practices that remain in use today

Slaves - The economies of many countries in the Americas were built on and sustained by slavery and the exploitation of African people. Slaves fought this oppression for over 300 years, and not only did they eventually succeed, but they also managed to incorporate elements of their own culture into that of the new American countries they inhabited.

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Capoeira - Capoeira is a martial art that combines music and dance as a form of disguise. African slaves used music and dance so that their oppressors wouldn't recognize the movements as a form of defense.

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Spirits - Religion in the Americas is also influenced by the beliefs of African slaves. Umbanda, Candomblé, and Santeria are examples of faiths that combine elements of African beliefs, indigenous religions, and the faiths of the colonizers.

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Missionaries - European colonists tried to 'teach' Catholicism to African slaves and indigenous peoples. Slaves were not allowed to practice their own religious rituals, and as a result religious syncretism emerged. This allowed them to continue practising their beliefs while passing it off as another religion. For example, African slaves used Catholic saints to worship their own gods.

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Food - Slaves brought many dishes to the Americas, including feijoada (a stew of beans with meat), which is still popular in Brazil.

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Food - Palm and coconut oils were also brought over from Africa and combined with local ingredients.

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Food - African slaves brought their own methods of preparing food, which were combined with European methods and applied to local ingredients such as cassava.

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Music - African slaves also brought percussion instruments including berimbaus from their own cultures.

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Music - Brazilian samba also has its roots in the country's slave houses. "Samba" was the word for different types of music introduced by African slaves, which were always led by drumming.

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Tiles - Rounded ceramic roof tiles, used on buildings throughout Europe and the Americas, were made on slaves' thighs.

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Fabric - Colors, colors, and more colors! African slaves introduced bright colors from indigenous dyes, stamped patterns, and fabrics including calico.

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Slaves - Today, the African turban is worn as a symbol of resistance to cultural assimilation, and to show solidarity in the fight against discrimination and racial prejudice. The accessory is a symbol of cultural identity that has its origins in the traditional clothing of African peoples.

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Indigenous - When European colonists arrived on American soil they met indigenous peoples. Although many traditional practices were purposely discontinued, others have maintained.

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Food - Cassava is native to Brazil and its flour was used long before European arrival. It is still a staple food in the country.

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Shoes - Walking barefoot is another habit inherited from indigenous peoples, who didn't wear shoes.

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Hammocks - Sleeping in hammocks is another practice that comes from indigenous customs.

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Fish - A fish-based diet was characteristic of some indigenous groups, and remains popular in many regions of the Americas today.

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Washing - Washing every day is completely normal now, but back in the day it was only people from indigenous cultures who washed this often.

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Medicine - Natural plant-based remedies also have indigenous origins.

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Smoking - Tobacco usage is another habit inherited from indigenous culture.

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Art - Handcrafts made from straw and ceramics, which are common in the Americas, take their designs and methods from indigenous practices.

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Body modification - Tattoos, earrings, piercings, and body painting are all originally indigenous practices.

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Beach mats - The lightweight mats that many of us use for decoration, or to exercise and relax on, were made with straw by indigenous people for sleeping or sitting on.

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Canoes - Wooden canoes with paddles were a traditional method of transportation on rivers.

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Housing - Today we call them condominiums or apartments, but collective housing has indigenous roots.

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Fruit - Both groups were used to eating lots of fruit in their diet, which remains a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle today.

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