Night sky illustration of the Big Dipper, or Drinking Gourd, in relation to the North Star and Little Dipper. nps.gov “As slave lore tells it, the North Star played a key role in helping slaves to find their way—a beacon to true north and freedom. Escaping slaves could find it by locating the Big Dipper, … Continue reading What Is the Drinking Gourd in the Night Sky & How Did Slaves Follow the Drinking Gourd North to Freedom