Part 3/9:
Twitty emphasized the paradox of this tradition: it embodies an African-American history that intertwines with colonial and antebellum experiences in the United States. New Year's Day became a time for enslaved individuals to gather and celebrate, despite the historical backdrop of separation and dislocation inherent to their lives. For them, sharing a meal was a vital act of cultural survival, one that allowed for family connections in a time when such ties were often forcibly severed.