Sound as Liberation in Black Culture
Healing the Wounds of History
"Music is the divine vibration of life, and I believe it is the most important thing in the world. I think music can heal people." — Alice Coltrane
Black history is a story of resilience, resistance, and reclamation. Throughout centuries of struggle and triumph, sound has been a constant force for survival, liberation, and healing. Whether through spirituals sung in the fields, the rhythmic drumming of African traditions, or the soul-stirring power of gospel, jazz, and hip-hop, sound has always been more than expression—it has been a tool of transformation.
Sound carries memory. It holds the pain, joy, and wisdom of those who came before us. It has soothed wounds, united movements, and created pathways for liberation. This Black History Month, it’s important that I honor the power of sound as more than just an artistic form—it is a vessel of healing, a force of resistance, and a connection to something greater than ourselves.
Sound as a Tool of Resistance and Resilience
From the coded messages embedded in African American spirituals to the powerful anthems of the Civil Rights Movement, sound has long been a means of survival and defiance. Enslaved Africans, stripped of their native languages, turned to song to communicate, mourn, and dream of freedom. Hymns like Wade in the Water and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot carried hidden meanings, guiding those seeking liberation through the Underground Railroad.
In the 20th century, Black musicians and orators continued this tradition. Gospel's call-and-response gave voice to people's struggles, while jazz and blues transformed sorrow into art. The rhythmic cadence of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches, protesters' chants, and hip-hop's rallying cries remind us that sound has never been just entertainment—it has been a tool to challenge injustice, inspire action, and shape the future.
Even today, we see how music fuels movements. From Kendrick Lamar’s Alright becoming an anthem of Black Lives Matter protests to the healing frequencies embedded in modern-day spiritual and lo-fi soundscapes, sound continues to be a force of resilience, helping us process trauma and reclaim our power.
Ancestral Healing Through Vibration and Rhythm
In many African spiritual traditions, sound is sacred. Drumming is more than music—it is a way to connect with the ancestors, raise energy, and facilitate healing. The djembe drum, for example, has been used in West African cultures for centuries to communicate, celebrate, and create harmony in communities. The Yoruba people use chanting and song as part of spiritual ceremonies, calling upon Orishas and invoking divine guidance.
This connection between sound and healing is not just cultural but scientific. Studies show that rhythmic sound, particularly drumming, can regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote deep states of relaxation. Vibrational frequencies from singing bowls, tuning forks, and even the human voice can shift brainwave activity, guiding us into a meditative state where deep healing can occur.
Amid the daily stress, generational trauma, and systemic challenges that many Black people continue to navigate, sound healing offers a space for release. This practice invites us to rest, listen, and reconnect with our inner wisdom. The vibrations of sound remind us that we are more than our struggles—we are whole, we are sacred, and we are deeply connected to those who came before us.
Reclaiming Wellness Spaces and Black Healing Traditions
Wellness is often marketed as something outside Black culture, but our ancestors have always practiced deep healing. Before yoga studios and meditation apps, drumming circles, communal singing, and rhythmic breathing fostered connection and harmony.
Today, Black practitioners reclaim these spaces, reviving ancestral wisdom through breathwork, sound healing, and musical traditions. This is more than personal healing—it’s collective. Engaging in sound healing reconnects us with a lineage of healers who knew that sound is medicine for the soul. Reclaiming these practices is resistance, a declaration that our healing, rest, and history are essential to our liberation.
Experience Sound as Liberation
This Black History Month, let’s honor our past and embrace collective healing. Join me on February 23rd for Sacred Sound, a free special Black History Month Soundbath—a space for rest, reflection, and renewal.
We’ll honor our history and nurture our future through vibration, breath, and deep listening. More than a sound bath, this is an offering—a chance to reconnect with yourself and your ancestors.
Date | Time: February 23rd at 5pm MST
Location: Virtual
Reserve your spot here: https://www.thechironguide.com/sacred-sound
I love this because Black people love us some sound! We are just so gifted at it. No matter what instrument we touch, we are able to truly build a strong relationship with it and create sounds that move, motivate, inspire, and touch the hearts of people. It really is our gift. So I love how you mentioned "reclaiming wellness spaces". Like yes! I love this. <3