Gullah Heritage Trail Tours

To enjoy a charming historical walking tour in the Gullah Geechee corridor, you need to know a bit about their heritage. To recognize the indigenous culture of the Gullah Geechee people who now stays in the Sea Islands and coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia, there is the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor established by the U.S. Congress.

The descendants of the black slaves transported from West Africa to the “Rice Coast” in the South Carolina and Georgia Lowcountry still hold on to this part of the nation. Their lesser known Gullah heritage has been recently developed and brought to the lime light. With the declaration of the Emanciapation Proclamation, many of the slaves fled to Hilton Head Island and also to the Union Army outpost. However, the ones who decided to stay back held on to their culture and tradition. And all through the years, they protected their heritage through language, food and other customs.

The Hilton head activities are many and who are interested in culture and Gullah Heritage Trail Tours can enjoy the following places:

Gullah Neighborhoods

Being exceptionally autonomous, Gullah neighborhoods consists of a group of extended families which includes the place of the spiritual leaders, food processing mills, Praise House, essential craftsmen and a regular conveyance to the waterway. Hilton Head Island still date portrays how the people lived in the late 1860s. Stoney, Jonesville, Chaplin, Simmons Fishing Camp, Gardner Marshland, Spanish Wells, Union Cemetery, Squire Pope, First African Baptist Church and Queen Chapel AME Church are some of the interesting things to look for in Hilton Head Island.

Juke joints

The late 1940’s had many Gullah neighborhoods which had the popular, rustic dance halls where music, food and drinks were served. The place was called the juke joints. With the mainland people reaching the Island, this concept became more popular and more scopes of urban entertainment technology reached this sea island. About a 12 mile stretch of Hilton Head Island beach, visiting these joints is one of the most interesting things to do in Hilton Head. In the yester years, this place served as points for church picnics before there were resorts made here.

Mitchelville

Soon after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, the people of Mitchelville were all set to create a new, self-governed culture that till date serves as the guidepost for the future generations. Situated on Hilton Head Island, SC, Mitchelville represents one of the most interesting displays of the Gullah Cultural Heritage Corridor. Speaking of culture, heritage and tradition, this legacy and the aesthetics is not just limited to urban etiquette but brings out the raw beauty of the place. The interested tourists can get more information about Mitchelville Preservation Project.

Coastal Discovery Museum

This iconic museum on Hilton Head has conserved many of the Gullah art exhibits, crafts and sweetgrass baskets. Both self-guided and guided tours are available for tourists as a part of the Hilton head activities. In fact, there is scope for a huge range of cultural and natural excursions where if one is interested can learn how to weave the sweetgrass basket from a local Gullah basket maker at a nominal price. Temporary art exhibits are also included such as The American Gullah Collection, gorgeous and colorful paintings depicting the story of the West African slaves who were brought to South Carolina.

With so much to see and do in Hilton Head, it is today one of the most favored weekend getaway destination for the people of United States. The Gullah and Geechee culture on the Sea Islands of Georgia still preserves the ethnic traditions from West Africa.

Many traditions of the Gullah and Geechee culture were passed from one generation to the other through language, agriculture, and events, festivals and even spirituality. The culture is very specific to the West African ethnic groups who were enslaved on island plantations to help in the plantation of rice, indigo, and cotton.

If you are planning for a Hilton Head Vacation, here's a list to follow so you don't miss on any of the major interesting places.

•    Coligny Beach

Although it is clearly trafficked, tourists can enjoy this island’s most popular beach enjoy a refreshing piña colada at the tiki hut.

•    Harbour Town Golf Links

Devised by notable course designers Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus, it offers golfers two dozen different courses to choose from.

•    Harbour Town

This charming area is a great place to spend the day in and you can also visit the 90-foot red-and-white striped lighthouse. It gives a panoramic view of the town and is one of the finest places to click with your loved one.

•    Mitchelville Freedom Park

Established in 2005, it is a gorgeous outdoor space to enjoy Hilton head activities along the shore which is a very important part of the Gullah Heritage Trail. Tucked away from the rest of the islands attractions, here you can enjoy some lone time under the canopy of trees.

Founded in 1996 by a Hilton Head Island Gullah Family Partnership, the Gullah Heritage Trail Tours is one of the most popular companies that have been involved in preserving and presenting the Gullah cultural heritage. If you are interested in learning and exploring about the history of Gullah Culture, schedule your travel at Gullaheritage.com. From Old Debarkation Point to Gullah Family Compounds, visit some of the most important places for an exciting and informative trip.