Features of Face Jugs
The face jugs can be seen as a remarkable object. It has very strong features and has an unwelcoming expression of anger, as if it keeping/frightening something away. The purpose of the jug evolved. The face jug also became known as the ugly jug in the 1920's and was used to store alcohol. The jugs became uglier in an attempt to identify the contents and frighten children. Parents warned the young ones to stay away from them. Many historians believe that African Americans created face jugs to also look "scary" to symbolize the time period they were in. When they were enslaved, they were seen as weak by whites and as if all they were good for was to work and obey their rules. However, historians believe this jug represented the strength each African American had inside them and it showed that they were not afraid of anything, especially not their owners.
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Symbolism & Importance of Face Jugs
These jugs served as a utilitarian purpose: they were used for agriculture and to carry water along with them. However, others also made face jugs with a larger hole on top in order to place personal items. Many people also say that face jugs were made because it was connected to African American's religious beliefs in voodoo and was to keep the evil spirits away.
Many people question the importance of the face jug and if African American can live without it. To answer this question, the face jug is important to African Americans because at one point in time, this artifact was what they relied on in order to carry water and use when they were enslaved. Their white owners did not allow them to carry tombstones or make any potter tombstones. Although some African Americans might be able to live without it as of today and there aren't many historical face jugs lefts, but some African Americans keep face jugs around their house as a way to remember their ancestors. |