Gullah Heritage Trail Tours

The isolated neighborhood of Gullah Geechee is a treasure trove of forgotten history. A deadly epidemic helped West African's in preserving and protecting their unique Creole culture. Let's look at the story behind it.

The Lowcountry region of South Carolina is known for its beautiful and unique Gullah Geechee culture. It was developed and nourished by the slaves brought in from West Africa to work in the rice plantations of the region. These people lived in complete isolation, away from the interference of their white masters, which gave them the freedom to develop and create their cultural heritage that was different from the rest of the country.

According to several historians, the Creole culture of the region is the result of coming together of multiple African tribes from different parts of West Africa like Baga, Limba, Congo Republic, and Gold Coast. They brought in skills and techniques, along with their experience, that flourished the economy of the neighborhood.

Gullah Island: The history of isolation

Almost 300 years ago, traders and plantation owners brought in a large group of West-African slaves to work in the rice fields of South Carolina. Slaves adjusted very well with the climate of the region and could thrive without much difficulty. But, with their arrival came the endemic diseases like yellow fever and malaria. Gradually, the local mosquitoes picked up the diseases and began spreading them.

With widespread malaria and yellow fever epidemic, colonists shifted to distant grounds away from the dangers of the diseases. The safekeeping of the land was left on these immigrants.

Away from the interference of their white masters, these people were able to develop their unique culture and heritage. They even adopted some of the cultural aspects of their masters, making necessary modifications when required.

How are the locals still keeping their culture alive?

Currently, the region is inhabited by the 7th to the 8th generation of immigrated plantation workers who are still trying to preserve their uniqueness. Besides its language and customs, one can find the ancients influences in the food as well as the lifestyle of the locals.

Many tourists on their Hilton Head Vacation have seen women weaving traditional sweetgrass baskets, which were used by their ancestors to carry essentials to the field. The people still practice traditional rituals and customs reminding them of their forgotten roots.

How can tourists explore the region?

Today, the communities are working towards protecting and preserving the heritage of Gullah. The locals are encouraging outsiders to learn more about their history and heritage, and their origin.

The Gullah Heritage Trails Tours organized tours around the neighborhood, familiarizing the tourists about the beauty of this historic county. For more information, visit http://gullaheritage.com or call (843) 681-7066.

The natural beauty and serenity of the Hilton Head Island, or in that case entire Gullah-Geechee corridor, reflects the harmony that exists between the community and nature. The trip to the island has been a memorable experience for many tourists. Let’s check what makes the place different.

The vacationers at Hilton Head mostly come here to experience the unique culture and heritage of the Gullah-Geechee region. Apart from that, the gorgeous beaches and distinctive community lifestyle of the people are other factors that make Hilton head activities a memorable affair for most.

If you are planning on heading towards this beautiful island for a weekend or a day trip, then some of the essential pointers can help you in understanding the region better:

1. Emphasis on the environment

The community of the island tries to co-exist with nature. It tries to build a landscape that protects the native vegetation of the area, and maintain the harmony of nature. Probably, that is the reason why most houses and hotels of the country stay hidden by the greenery of the area. Such beautiful harmony between nature and community is rarely seen in the world today.

2. Activities that take you closer to nature

Instead of focusing on tourist attractions like amusement parks or massive shopping districts, the community focuses on building recreational spots that connect visitors with nature. You can find vacationers relaxing at the beaches, or cycling at mystifying natural settings of the island. Most of the tourists visit Coligny Beach for its beauty and serenity. One can find travelers enjoying beach cycling, or relaxing at the beach.

3. Shopping at Hilton Head

One of the most popular activities on the island is shopping and dining at the local restaurants on the southeast coast of the district. Hilton Head Island, or in that case the entire Gullah-Geechee corridor, is well-known for its sweetgrass baskets, made by the sixth or seven generation descendants of the original settlers of the island. The baskets are made from locally foraged materials and were previously used by the laborers to carry essentials. Besides this, the restaurants selling fresh produce from the sea is worth trying.

4. Exploring the wildlife of the region

The Coastal Discovery Museum is one of the popular landmarks of the area, where tourists come to learn about its beautiful flora and fauna. According to popular tour guides who plan Hilton head activities, it is a great place to start the Gullah-Geechee holidays. Kids can observe the local aquatic animals like horse-show crabs turtles, native species of butterflies and so on, on the trip to the island.

Hilton-Head Island is an interesting place for the holidays. You can contact Gullah Heritage Trail Tours, at http://gullaheritage.com or call (843) 681-7066, for experiencing the beauty of the region.