Final answer:
Slave life was characterized by a specific diet of pork or fish and cornmeal, and limited clothing consisting of linen shirts, trousers, jackets, stockings, and shoes. Slaves faced poor health due to malnutrition and suffered from various diseases. However, they maintained their dignity and cultural practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of slave life included a specific diet and clothing. Slaves were given a monthly food allowance of eight pounds of pork or an equivalent amount of fish, along with one bushel of cornmeal. As for clothing, slaves received two coarse linen shirts, one pair of linen trousers, one jacket, one pair of winter trousers made of coarse cloth, one pair of stockings, and one pair of shoes per year.
Additionally, slave life was marked by poor health due to a low-quality food supply, resulting in deficiencies in essential nutrients. Slaves often suffered from diseases like dysentery, respiratory ailments, skin problems, and more. The average life expectancy for enslaved individuals was significantly lower compared to White people during the antebellum period.
Despite the harsh conditions, enslaved people maintained their dignity, formed kin networks, and practiced their own cultural traditions.