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The way the quilt system worked was through a series of common everyday tasks that would not alarm the white slave owners. Stitching was a ubiquitous household task for a female slave to perform. She would stitch in patterns that meant hope for the on looking slaves, yet nothing but decoration to the plantation owners. When it was time for laundry, the washer would hang the quilt out to dry for all to see, and would remain there until the necessary message was communicated. Only one quilt would be hung at a time in order to ensure the clear communication of the code. This could vary from the monkey wrench, “get ready the things for the journey,” to tumbling blocks, “The time has come to go.” The images conveyed important meaning to the African slaves because of the orality that taught each one about the meaning of each pattern. The following names of the quilt patterns which were listed in the code were intended as mnemonic devices. They were used as signals to give instructions to the slaves that wished for freedom. The name of each pattern was a metaphor, and when placed in a certain order, provided a map for the escaped slaves to find freedom. The most common quilt patterns were: Monkey Wrench, Wagon Wheel, Log Cabin, Shoofly, Bow Ties, Cathedral Church, Double Wedding Rings, Flying Geese, Drunkard’s Path, Tumbling Boxes, Bear’s Paw, Crossroads, and the North Star. A well known phrase: There are five square knots on the quilt every two inches apart. They escaped on the fifth knot on the tenth pattern and went to Ontario, Canada. The Monkey wrench turns the wagon wheel toward Canada on a bear’s paw trail to the crossroads. Once they got to the crossroads they dug a log Cabin on the ground. Shoofly told them to dress up in cotton and satin bow Ties and go to the cathedral church, get married, and exchange double wedding rings. Flying Geese stay on the drunkard’s path and follow the stars. |
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