tours in South Carolina
September 10, 2014
Revel in the Rich Cultures Thriving in the Sea Islands
The Gullah and Geechee
culture have been able to preserve their West African ethnic traditions. The
term “Gullah” has been given to the people living on the island in South
Carolina. The term “Geechee” refers to the people living in Georgia. Most of
the traditions of the Geechee and Gullah customs have been passed down through
generations with the help of spirituality, agriculture and language. The lifestyle
of the Gullah and Geechee people closely resembles the culture of the West
African slaves who worked in the rice, indigo and cotton plantations.
The Gullah and Geechee
people speak a Creole language. The language consists of English with some
vocabulary loaned from the African language. These communities have been able
to maintain their unique identity despite the enslavement of their ancestors. Their customs and way of life have emerged
from different ethnic West African groups. The members of the Gullah Geechee cultures know how to make baskets from sweet grass and pine
straw, which are later used for carrying laundry, firewood or food.
The Gullah/Geechee people
meet at prayer houses where they sing fast-paced rhythmic songs and clap their
hands. They maintain their traditions and never cross their feet while singing.
Some of their ring shouts have close ties with the traditions of West African
communal dance. Their gatherings are rich with folk songs, stories, art and
craft, basket and net making.
The geographical isolation
of the Sea Islands has allowed this culture to thrive. The Gullah and Geechee
cultures deliver their own babies, and make their own quilt and baskets. It is
a very organic and spiritual cultural community. They often indulge in songs,
dancing and story-telling. When they are not celebrating their traditions they
harvest their own crops, catch fish, and make their own medicines.
Until recently, little was
publicized about the Gullah and Geechee
cultures. When the outside world discovered their unique community, many people
were willing to pay millions to own them and their land. It is now the responsibility
of the present day generations to ensure that this rare culture is preserved and
continues to flourish for generations to come.
