Three local events celebrate Gullah Geechee heritage on the Hammock Coast®

Three local events celebrate Gullah Geechee heritage on the Hammock Coast®

Several upcoming events on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® celebrate the heritage of Gullah Geechee culture.

Gullah Geechee is a rich and unique cultural heritage rooted in the African-American communities of the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to the American South but retained much of their African heritage, blending it with elements of European and Native American cultures over time.

The Gullah Geechee people have a strong sense of history and heritage. Efforts to preserve and promote their culture include educational programs and cultural heritage sites. The Gullah Geechee community is recognized for its resilience and preservation of a unique cultural identity that remains vibrant and influential today. One of the best places to go to learn more about the Gullah Geechee culture is in historic Georgetown at the Gullah Museum, located at 123 King St. It is one of five museums in Georgetown but the only one exclusively dedicated to Black heritage.

For those who want to learn more about the Gullah Geechee culture, here are several upcoming events on the Hammock Coast:

NOVEL EXPRESSIONS OF GULLAH GEECHEE HERITAGE

Not to be missed is Novel Expressions of Gullah Geechee Heritage, a weekly event at spectacular Brookgreen Gardens.

Every Wednesday through Nov. 20, from 1-2 p.m., author and cultural interpreter Ron Daise will engage listeners in a participatory presentation about history, songs, beliefs, and language. He will share information about his research for and excerpts from his historical novel, “Raptors in the Ricelands,” which is set in a fictional Gullah Geechee community.

If you think you recognize Ron, you may remember him from the popular television show “Gullah Gullah Island,” an American musical children’s series celebrating the culture and language of enslaved Africans that was produced by and aired on the Nick Jr. programming block on the Nickelodeon network from 1994 to 1998.

The Novel Expressions series will be held in the Ron Daise Auditorium at Brookgreen Gardens at 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet. There is no charge for the event for Brookgreen members. Non-members may also attend the event at no charge as part of their Gardens admission ticket.

Beginning in 2004 and until his recent retirement, Daise served as vice president of creative education at Brookgreen, but he’s warmly welcomed back for events to the auditorium dedicated to him.

Daise received the 2019 South Carolina Governor’s Distinctive Achievement Award for his impactful contributions. He, along with his wife Natalie, created the “Gullah Geechee Wisdom Cards Guidebook,” earning the 2017 South Carolina African American Heritage Commission’s Project Award. As former stars of “Gullah Gullah Island,” they received the 2019 Foundation for Leadership Education Lifetime Achievement Award and other honors. Daise is a respected figure in Gullah Geechee cultural heritage, having served on the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission and presented at the United Nations. A Hampton University graduate, he actively contributes to community and educational initiatives along the Hammock Coast.

He has also lent his distinctive voice to the official Hammock Coast app for the African-American Heritage Trail tour. 

For more information, click here.

A GULLAH TEA AT HASTY POINT

Experience A Gullah Tea at Hasty Point, the site of a former rice plantation in the Plantersville community of Georgetown County. Learn about the deep history of the property from Refuge Manager Craig Sasser while sampling locally inspired teas from Georgetown native and Gullah herbalist Jacque Williams, paired with sweet and savory light fare (d’ems and t’ings).

Williams will also share her inspiration behind each tea blend, and teas will be available for sale.

The Gullah Tea at Hasty Point will be held Friday, Oct. 25, from 2-4 p.m. Cost is $30 per person.

The Joyner Institute for Gullah and African Diaspora Studies is the event presenter. The institute is dedicated to critically understanding the experiences of Gullah Geechee people and other descendants within the global African diaspora. The Athenaeum Press at Coastal Carolina University is an operational and collaborative partner.

For more information call 864-992-2363. Purchase tickets here.

BIKE RIDE IN PLANTERSVILLE

The Tour de Plantersville is a discovery bike ride through historic Georgetown County along its only Scenic Byway – beginning and ending at a fun-filled cultural festival. The Saturday, Oct. 26, event offers 62-, 25-, and 12-mile rides of fresh air along the roads of the Plantersville community.

Rides are staggered and begin at 7:15 a.m., 8 a.m., and 8:30 a.m. at Plantersville Elementary School, 1668 Exodus Dr., Georgetown.

The ride is perfect for both avid cyclists or families. After the ride, a festival brings people together for a Gullah Geechee-inspired event on the grounds of Plantersville Elementary School. Both events are sponsored by The Village Group.

For more information, click here.

Key aspects of Gullah Geechee culture include:

• Language: The Gullah Geechee people speak a distinctive creole language known as Gullah or Geechee. This language developed from the fusion of African languages with English, and it has its own grammar and vocabulary. It reflects the diverse linguistic heritage of the people who speak it.
• Music and Dance: Music plays a crucial role in Gullah Geechee culture. Traditional songs, spirituals, and rhythms are an important part of cultural expression. Drumming, singing, and dancing are integral to community gatherings and ceremonies. The “Ring Shout,” a traditional dance involving a circle of people moving in a rhythm while clapping and singing, is a notable example.
• Crafts and Art: Gullah Geechee art and crafts are deeply rooted in African traditions. This includes basket weaving, quilting, and pottery, often featuring vibrant colors and intricate patterns. The craftsmanship often reflects African design influences and utilitarian purposes.
• Cuisine: Gullah Geechee cuisine is a blend of African, European, and Caribbean influences. Common dishes include seafood (like shrimp and crab), okra, cornbread, and rice. Traditional recipes and cooking methods have been passed down through generations, preserving the flavors and techniques of the ancestors.
• Religious Practices: The Gullah Geechee community has a rich religious tradition that includes elements of Christianity mixed with African spiritual practices. This often manifests in unique forms of worship, including specific rituals, songs, and spirituals.
• Festivals and Celebrations: Cultural festivals and celebrations are important in Gullah Geechee communities. Events like the Gullah Geechee Nation International Music and Movement Festival showcase traditional music, dance, and food, and serve to celebrate and preserve the culture.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®