How did african americans develop a culture that combined african and american elements what were some of the features of that culture?

In response to the grueling hardships of slavery, African slaves relied on their rhythmic African music to help them get steady into their fieldwork. Music also helped them forget their hardships in slavery. their restriction from education helped Africans to get more attuned with oral traditions such as storytelling through music. However, slaves were allowed to practice Christianity and quickly learned to speak English; albeit with their own dialects. As such, they incorporated American christian customs into their activities to create a unique African-American culture mainly centered in artistic expression.
  

The congress completes the diagram