Lowcountry Gullah: Recent Episodes
Lowcountry Gullah
Most people don't know about the richly significant contributions from Gullah Geechee culture that's woven into the fabric of the US. Grow in culture and information every week, with cultural influencer and preservationist, Luana M. Graves Sellars on the Lowcountry Gullah Podcast, where Gullah Geechee culture, history, and tradition lives.
Many people grow up experiencing traditional ways that we just do, but we never know where those cultural practices come from. For most Black/AfricanAmericans, we're like orphans wanting to craving to learn and understand who our people are and where we come from. Once we know, it is an amazing and treasured gift of self-discovery. The new book, Descended, by Keith Rushing, is a fascinating and in-depth exploration into finding not only his ancestorial roots, but more importantly, discovering where home really is.
America was a slave society and its involvement from the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade to the Domestic Slave Trade might be known, but the details are often overlooked. The Slave Traders or Brokers were the core and very foundation of the economic engine that kept slavery going. But, how was it done? Who were the Brokers? What type of people were they?
Musical influences can come from anywhere, but never before have we been able to understand the cultural and regional impacts that the very sounds that we hear in various parts of the US and around the world come from all around the diaspora. So from African beats to the blended sounds from the Gullah community to Cajun and Northern states, wherever you're hearing music, it can be and has been traced back to its origins. Listen in on a fascinating conversation about a study on where the variety of music and genres that we love truly came from.
When it comes to the Gullah Islands, Hilton Head and St. Helena, South Carolina and Sapelo and Jekyll Islands in Georgia, are usually the ones that are the first to come to mind. But sandwiched between Hilton Head and Charleston is Edisto Island, which just like the rest of the Gullah islands, has a rich and storied history of its own.
Everyone has a story. We often think about all of the negatives that came out of slavery, but it's nice to come across the tales of the good that people did in their community. Many white families risked their lives to rescue and help free enslaved people. Here's one of those underground railroad stories of heroism and the steadfast desire to do the right thing.
Most people don't know that Harriet Tubman was nicknamed the Black Moses and spent several years in South Carolina or that she was a nurse, spy and scout for the Union Army. Her invaluable work in Beaufort County, South Carolina led to the largest emancipation event of the Civil War, the Combahee River Raid, where around 750 enslaved people were rescued. That's just one more of Tubman's amazing accomplishments that she achieved outside of the work that she did on the Underground Railroad.
We don't usually think about the origins of a lot of the things that we say or do, but for every action, or how we do what we do, there's a time proven reason. Even the sayings that we share on a daily basis, like "it takes a village to raise a child" had to come from somewhere. The use of African Proverbs has become almost second nature to us, even though we don't know of why or where it came from.
Passing down elements of our culture is what we have come to expect from our elders. But, when the youth around us not only get it, but are spreading culture on their own, well, that's definitely something to talk about and support! Meet the West Sisters, who are extremely talented and promising young filmmakers who are sharing the importance of culture and traditions with the next generation.
High rates of Black land loss and heirs' property issues have been around since the end of the civil war and unfortunately, acres are disappearing at an alarming speed. The critical state that we're in usually is a nameless, faceless process that is often remains unspoken....until 96 year old Josephine Wright made her valiant fight to keep her land from the hands of a developer into a national story. From local support to a national story and celebrity contributions, Josephine's story represented and highlighted the plight of so many who are still struggling.
Everyone needs a vacation, but you never know when a trip or experience will impact your life. Going to Africa is one of those life-changing experiences that everyone of the diaspora should take. It might start out as being just another place in the world, but it could end up as an introduction to a new world of cultural connections that one could never prepare for.
We often talk about or recognize that we're descendants of enslaved people, but what does that really mean? Acknowledging it is just one part of accepting who we are and where we came from. But what's most important, is not only appreciating the richness of our our culture, but also capturing and passing down our traditional practices, so that future generations can continue on ancestral paths that were left for us to follow and hear the voices of wisdom from those who came before us.
Enslavers are often thought about as simple farmers or wealthy ones. What is not widely known is that the southern planter class of enslavers were mostly the creme de la creme of society. They were part of an organized and calculated club of people who were founding fathers, signers of the Declaration of Independence, Governors and other influential national leaders who made their money from slavery.
The children's TV show, Gullah Gullah Island had the first beloved mainstream Gullah characters. Look out world, here comes the first Gullah anime characters! From Akan and Adrinka symbols to incorporating traditional and cultural elements of the Gullah Geechee, the stories of our ancestors come to life in Camp Geechee. Created by Joshua Mishoe, this young brother is spreading Gullah in a new and fascinating way that is destined to reach and teach scores of new young audiences. Get prepared to do a deep dive into the culture and Camp Geechee!
The Gullah Geechee culture is everywhere. Elements of the culture can be found in all that we do on a daily basis and it's all around the world. Music is one of the key facets of the culture that not only connects us, but genre after genre, you can find the Gullah sound. Enjoy a fascinating conversation with dual Grammy award winning artist. Charlton Singleton from the internationally known group Ranky Tanky about culture, history and the beat of Gullah music.
Gullah Geechee culture, which is rooted in West African culture is strongly aligned with the past and teachings as well as guidance from the ancestors. The ancestors are all around us in alot of ways. Their knowledge and directions come in a lot of differnt forms, from African Proverbs to the life skills that have been passed down through our families. Every aspect of their wisdom continues to be a significant source of the generational influences that we have today.
Slavery is America's dirty little secret, which is why there's so many misconceptions and misinformation that's in history books and circling around society today. The hierarchy of slavery, the business that it took to make it work and become successful, and the slave societies that thrived as a result of it are all not often talked about. Listen in to a fascinating converstaion that starts with the origins of slavery, to the ships, and then to the plantation. Regardless of which part you look at. a slave trader was involved every step of the way.
So what's in a name? Well, in African tradition, alot! Naming someone is more than just an identifying label, African names mean something. Whether it represents an event that happened that day like a storm, or because you were born on a certain day of the week, or even in honor of something or someone, African names have a purpose. They also are granted through a special ceremony, regardless of how old you are. Renaming ceremonies for those from the diaspora are becoming a must do part of the homecoming ritual in several African countries. Here's the story of mine.
Years ago, there was this big craze or "discovery" of what was called Ebonics or Black Slang. Well, first of all, its not new. For many reasons, enslaved people chose, out of resistance and as a way of holding on to their cultural identity, to create and speak an indigenous English based Creole language.
The art of sewing sweetgrass baskets is a time honored West African skill that's been passed down for generations. Today, those beautiful pieces of art are valued and often on display, but hundreds of years ago, the baskets had functional and practical use around the house. Basket sewers today are following in the footsteps of our ancestors by keeping the skill alive and broadening its appeal. Of course, like all things, there are challenges. With time and development, just like cultural land being erased, so are the fields where the sweetgrass grows.
It's not often thought of our Gullah Geechee ancestors as conservatives, but when you think about it, that's how they lived. With traditional skills and practices from West Africa, they used their community and daily way of living to be self-sustaining and self-sufficient. Those time honored skills of independence and strength also were rooted in the characteristics of fierce loyalty and patriotism. Our ancestors were built with all of the survival skills that they needed to to survive and thrive.
Today taking time to celebrate the holidays has become tradition. For enslaved people, the coming new year might have been a time of fear, dread or the anxious time that they've been waiting for to escape.
For generations, celebrating Kwanzaa from December 26th to January 1st has been a end of the year holiday tradition that's becoming more widely known and practiced. So what is Kwanzaa and why are the seven principles so important to our daily living? Intrigued? Here's a deep dive into this valued African American holiday that's based on family, empowerment and economic development.
The Watch Night Service is a tradition that grew out of slavery, yet still is an important part of how, for many African Americans, is the only way that a new year should be brought in. The practice, called “Freedom Night” or named the Watch Night Service, began in 1862, when anxious slaves were waiting on confirmation of their freedom based on the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, the service continues in the church with prayers of gratitude for another year and blessings over what’s to come.
Living on an island and the isolation that comes with it, made Gullah holidays a little different, but special nonetheless. Getting ready for the sea island holidays was a year long process which made the seasonal harvests an an important part in the preparation that involved the entire family, from children to the elders.
Sometimes, we forget that the ancestors left behind all of the tools that we need for success. Through creative storytelling, proverbs, and skills, they passed us all a toolbox full of ways that they, even though they were beaten, found ways not to be broken.
Every day, Americans are using Gullah Geechee traditions in what we say, do and eat. The culture and its foodways can be traced directly back to West Africa for several centuries. One pot meals are just the beginning of a great meal that's full of some amazing cultural flavors, ingredients and Gullah Geechee impacts to American dishes that we enjoy today.
Being able to travel around the world and experience other cultures, tastes and languages is a gift that usually becomes imbedded in to our memories that we can cherish for a lifetime. For most people and destinations, that is definitely the case. Traveling to Africa, however, is not just a trip, nor is it just another stamp in your passport; especially if you are the descendent of an enslaved person. It is a spiritual and emotional experience that touches your spirit and connects with your soul. This episode is part one of several takeaways from my slave pilgrimage and tour of Ghana.
There's no argument that trees are important to our environment. They give us beauty and of course, shade. Most Gullah folktales involve trees, which always play a significant part in Gullah Geechee culture. Many trees grow for hundreds of years. Ever wonder if they could talk and see, what stories would they tell?
American history is full of dirty little secrets. It's uncomfortable and it is far from pretty. Regardless of what it is, it needs to be discussed, with all of the warts and blemishes that come along with it. Our story needs to be told along with our truth; telling it and sharing it exactly as it was.....raw, dirty and straight with no chaser. With truth telling should also include healing, which means reparations. Buckle UP for a raw and frank conversation with Dr. David Ragland from the Truth Telling Project on where we were, where we are and as a nation where we need to be!
We don't think about how important music is in our lives. For enslaved people, music was a source of strength that might have been one of the few things that helped them get throughout the day. Listen in on a fascinating conversation with Keeper of the Culture, Dr. Eric Crawford, the author of Gullah Culture in America, on the importance and power that music was and still is in our daily life.
History books are full of misinformation about slavery. They often depict the enslaved as slow, lazy and even ignorant people who needed direction, to become civilized, or incapable of being independent. Of course, that couldn't be further from the truth. The enslaved Gullah Geechee were the best of the best of the best. They were the highly skilled, technological craftsmen who were stolen for the knowledge that they brought with them, and the labor that they could provide.
The never ending debate about the past and history will probably not go away. So, how important is our history and why do we need to dwell on it? Is it that big of a deal for us to pass it down to our children? And if we do, who's telling the stories that we're sharing?
Growing up Gullah, Zenobia Harper was gifted with all of the rich foundations that the culture has to offer, but walked away from it. Now, she's not only embracing her Gullah roots, but she's actively working to preserve it for future generations.
The Lowcountry Gullah Podcast has been airing for three years and has more than 100 interviews available, all hosted by Luana Graves Sellars. In this episode, we flipped the script! The interviewer has become the interviewee! Here's the backstory on the creation of Lowcountry Gullah, the motivation behind it and just a little taste of my trip to Africa.
During enslavement, sometimes all that people had were the memories of oral traditions and stories that they could remember. Most of the folktales that were shared, were African in origin and interestingly enough, alot of those folktales continue to be the foundation and in a significant amount of the children's stories that we all know today.
Most museum's have theme and focus, as well as artifacts that one can peruse and appreciate for its artistic value or beauty. What makes the new International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston different, is that in addition to learning about the uniqueness of the Lowcountry, the African American experience and the Diaspora, this musuem makes it more personal. The IAAM deepens the knowledge of our culture by linking the history to our stories; which is how and why history becomes very relavent to all of us.
From performing on the stage, to the Nickelodeon TV show, Gullah Gullah Island, to painting on canvas, to authoring Gullah focused books, Natalie Daise is an incredible cultural force and truly a keeper of the culture!
The preservation of cultural assets like plantations is really important, just like telling the stories about the big house or the grounds. But what about the less obvious things? In most plantations there's usually a back staircase that the house enslaved used or what about the fingerprints that they left in the bricks that support those houses. What's the story about the people who were enslaved there? Join in on a fascinating conversation with Joseph McGill, from the Slave Dwelling Project, as we uncover those often forgotten and untold stories, because now more than ever is the time to make sure that they get told.
In Gullah culture, the food is deeply rooted in rice and seafood dishes that grew out of the diaspora and its West African influences. Gullah Chef BJ Dennis has built a reputation for not just amazing flavors, but for spreading knowledge about the ingredient's origins. His Gullah cooking may be what he's known for on a national stage and but to him, its important to continue to use the techniques of the ancestors when he's blending his ingredients and every plate comes with a serving of the richly significant history of the food. Chef BJ has been featured in local, national and international cooking events including the BB&T Wine+Food Festival, Netflix 'High on the Hog', P.B.S 'Moveable Feast' and Bravo's 'Top Chef' and sharing his story with me.
Just like for most descendants of an enslaved, many white people who trace their roots will probably discover that they are descendants of an enslaver. That's just one of the dark and often undiscussed byproducts of American history. For most Black people, it's not a surprise; in fact, it's usually a given. For white people, uncovering your family's role in the slave trade can be a shocking and unexpected discovery of your family's dark secret.
Like a lot of people, Glander Pressly grew up in the culture, but through her work she shares its richness all the time. For her, spreading Gullah is a deeply personal experience that she appreciates every day, especially when she looks at slave cabins or handles shackles and any other remnants from the past and the ancestors.
You never know where motivation or a shift in your life's path will take you. For Lotte Lieb Dula, it all started with a box in the attic that uncovered her family's past, led her to her calling. That box permanently altered not only how she sees the world, but what needs to change and how she intends to change it.
Most people don't know about the richly significant contributions from Gullah Geechee culture that's woven into the fabric of the US. Grow in culture and information every week, with cultural influencer and preservationist, Luana M. Graves Sellars on the
I bet you thought cotton was slavery's major crop. In the interior southern states, yes. But along the Gullah Geechee Corridor's coastline from North Carolina to Florida, rice became the most lucrative crop in the US. Join me for a fascinating conversation with Keeper of the Culture, Lee Brockington who breaks down slavery and the vital roles that enslaved women played in the story of rice as well as why Georgetown, SC was so important.
Why haven't we been taught the truth about Africa? Where did the perceptions of the continent come from? For generations, we've been sold misinformation about its size, resources and images that are far from the reality and incredible beauty that many of the countries have to offer. In preparing for the trip of a lifetime to West Africa, there are so many mental resets that need to be done.
The southern coast of North Carolina had hundreds of plantations, most of which, grew rice. Cultural ties between the Gullah, Africa and North Carolina, and the connection to rice is so very strong. That's why documenting, remembering and more importantly, telling the plantation story is so critical, so that our ancestors are honored.
Where did the Black people food(s) that we call soul food or southern cooking come from? Yes, some of the dishes came straight out of the Diaspora, but what are the true origins of all of the rich variety of foods and flavors? And how did they become what has influenced the popular foodways of the South that we enjoy today?
What happened after slavery? You know, the government's humanitarian efforts to make it right for the formerly enslaved? Where did Black people begin the generational distrust for the government? Several programs were designed to provide them support and a way to assimilate into society. Called the Port Royal Experiment, it promised land - 40 Acres and a Mule, financial stability - the Freedman's Bank Bureau, and education - the Port Royal Experiment. Programs were tried and then failed. This is what really happened.
The newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery. It may be the most recent addition to the federal calendar, but it's the oldest and longest nationally celebrated holiday in the US. June 19th, otherwise known as Juneteenth or Black independence day. Sadly, the majority of Americans don't know or even recognize the importance of this date to our history. Juneteenth is not just Black History, but an important milestone in American history and the birth of freedom.
So many incredible stories in Black history have been left untold. May and June are significant months in Black History. Here's the full story of two prominent Black American's who played a major part in shaping the nation's path to reconstruction after the Civil War.
Unfortunately, when people think about the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, most gravitate to South Carolina. But, when it comes to the story of rich and communities, Gullah Geechee culture is just as rich and significant along the coastline of southern North Carolina, as it is through Georgia and further down towards Florida.
Did you know that one of the first Memorial Day Celebrations began as a Gullah holiday?
When your family is facing a crisis, sometimes it's hard to think past your own situation. Heirs' property issues and the potential loss of family land is like that. I feels like "just a me problem". Land loss is very personal; especially when it's your family's heritage. Unfortunately, heirs' property is far too common and the toll that it is taking on Black family structures is in a word, devastating. By now, you might have seen or heard about the documentary, Silver Dollar Road. If you haven't, watch it. In this episode, here's the personal and painful side of the heirs' property story, from one of the family members who's family has been dealing with for years.
Heirs' property issues in America are at a critical point. Most people with heirs' property might not even know that's what they have. The media has started to increase coverage, but documentary films like Gaining Ground | The Fight for Black Land are bringing the conversation and information to broader audiences so that hopefully one day Black land loss will be a thing of the past.
Heirs' property issues in America are at a critical point. For most people that have heirs' property might not even know that's what they have. The media has started to increase coverage, but it's documentary films like Gaining Ground | The Fight for Black Land that is bringing the conversation and information to broader audiences, so that hopefully one day Black land loss will be a thing of the past.
Aunt Pearlie Sue learned early in life that who she was and the importance of her culture was something to be very proud of. Now a Gullah playwright, performer, and Original Gullah Festival hostess, she's been captivating audiences through incredible storytelling and an amazing variety of ways that keeps the culture front and center.
From the hit TV show Gullah Gullah Island, to performances, to books, Ron Daise has been entertaining and sharing the richness of the Gullah Geechee story. Join in on a fascinating conversation about the motivation behind his newest book, Raptor of the Ricefields, and why we need to preserve our culture for the sake of our past, present, and future.
It's every parent's dream for their children to improve upon and go on to do and be more than they did. When a child picks up the family's traditions and culture, that's even better. For Gullah Geechee Chef Emily Megget's children, not only did they learn their way around a Gullah Geechee kitchen, they are taking their mother's legacy of sharing love and kindness through food to a whole other level.
In the DNA and ancestry.com world, just the thought of searching for your ancestors can be an exciting journey of discovery, as well as daunting, especially if your a Black American. Frustration and hitting the 1870s Slave Wall might be what happens, but it is very possible that you can build a tree well into the early 1800s. Finding documents is fabulous, but the importance of discovering the stories that bridge the paper trail can be just as powerful. So, how do you start and grow your family's branches into a blooming tree? Join in on a fascinating conversation with Barbara Cantaloni, Executive Director of the Heritage Library with step-by-step guidance on how to get started.
In the Black Panther movie, Killmonger said "Just bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, 'cause they knew death was better than bondage." It's a powerful statement and concept that we don't think or about how enslaved people didn't easily submit to their circumstances and simply accept enslavement. Incredibly, resistance came in many forms.
Living day-to-day within the culture is one thing, but making sure that our children understand why we do, what we do culturally is quite another thing. Sharing and teaching cultural traditions, that include langauge, food, and even hoodoo, don't mean anything if they aren't continued by future generations, so that they can understand, and most of all appreciate where they came from.
From DNA to inherited traits, incredibly strong enslaved women endured and survived so many potentially insurmountable experiences. Regardless of what they experienced, they made a way from no way and had the wherewithal to ensure that they also passed down resistance, strength, generational skills and traditional elements that enabled the culture to survive and thrive.
Going to Georgetown, SC and digging into my ancestral lineage opened up my eyes to so many new experiences......and VERY strong emotions that I wasn't prepared for or expecting. From rice fields to slave cabins to slave cemetaries, understanding and deepening my respect for the ancesters is only the beginning of my Georgetown takeaways.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that slavery was a significant part of American History. Unfortunately, history books have glossed over alot of the dirty details. Most southern cities were "slave societies" that often dominated every aspect of the area's economy. Let's talk about the business of slavery, from the middle passage experience to slave auctions and how large some of them were, as well as how each of the "players" were that kept slavery operating for centuries in a lot of port cities along the east coast.
If you know Gullah music, yes, you know her name and have heard her amazing voice. What you might not know about is how deep she is rooted in Gullah culture and the incredible work that she does by giving back everytime she steps off of the stage from performing with Ranky Tanky.
You never know where that cultural spark will come from. For some, it might be from a class assignment. For others, it might be that nagging feeling of curiousity and the desire to just know more. Either way, once you decide to do the research, the more you learn about your roots, can be the beginning of an incredibly fascinating journey of discovery.
For most Black people, we don't know anything about our past. Not our lineage, nor our origins. That's why capturing the stories of our ancestors so that we can understand where we come from has so much value. Only rarely can we learn about those amazing glimpses behind the curtain of our past and connect them all the way to Africa. For those who can, it's a treasured story that deserves to be shared in the hope that everyone else can understand the collective experiences of our ancestors.
So, what really is Black History Month? Where did it come from and why do we celebrate it?
The Gullah Seminole connection is something that most people don't know about but, pockets of communities can be found in Bracketville, Texas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mexico, and several Caribbean Islands. Find out their incredible history, where they came from, how they got their name, their traditions and more!
Yep, that's who I am! And PROUD of it! Funny, I get asked alot if I am Gullah and who's behind Lowcountry Gullah. So, here's the story behind the work and why it's become my life's mission and purpose.
Today taking time to celebrate the holidays has become tradition. For enslaved people, the coming new year might have been a time of fear, dread or the anxious time that they've been waiting for to escape.
For generations, celebrating Kwanzaa from December 26th to January 1st has been a end of the year holiday tradition that's becoming more widely known and practiced. So what is Kwanzaa and why are the seven prinicples so important to our daily living? Intrigued? Here's a deep dive into this valued African American holiday that's based on family, empowerment and economic development.
For generations, celebrating Kwanzaa from December 26th to January 1st has been a end of the year holiday tradition that's becoming more widely known and practiced. So what is Kwanzaa and why are the seven prinicples so important to our daily living? Intrigued? Here's a deep dive into this valued African American holiday that's based on family, empowerment and economic development.
The Watch Night Service is a tradition the grew out of slavery, yet still is an important part of how, for many African Americans, is the only way that a new year should be brought in. The practice, called “Freedom Night” or named the Watch Night Service, began in 1862, when anxious slaves were waiting on confirmation of their freedom based on the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, the service continues in the church with prayers of gratitude for another year and blessings over what’s to come.
The Watch Night Service is a tradition the grew out of slavery, yet still is an important part of how, for many African Americans, is the only way that a new year should be brought in. The practice, called “Freedom Night” or named the Watch Night Service, began in 1862, when anxious slaves were waiting on confirmation of their freedom based on the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, the service continues in the church with prayers of gratitude for another year and blessings over what’s to come.
Living on an island and the isolation that comes with it, made Gullah holidays a little different, but special none the less. Getting ready for the sea island holidays was a year long process which made the seasonal harvests an an important part in the preparation that involved the entire family, from children to the elders.
So many stories go untold and have the potential to be erased. The powerful story of the Igbo tribe and thier caputre and forced entry into the US slave trade is one of those stories that should never be forgotten. From a simple google search, Neema Griffin, a young documentary filmmaker uncovered an incedible journey of discovering the power of taking control through resistance at the Igbo Landing.
The diaspora. What is it? Why did it happen? What are the impacts and it's results? The Global Diaspora's cultural influences has had an incredible and lasting effects on everything that we experience, eat, do and say everyday.
Every day Americans are using Gullah traditions in what we say and eat. The culture and its foodways can be traced directly back to West Africa for several centuries. Things like one pot meals is just the beginning of some of the cultural flavors, ingredients and Gullah impacts that we enjoy today.
Sometimes when our ancestors set the stage for our dispositions and character, it becomes the foundation of who we are and what direction our life's work takes. From as far back as 1870, Billy Keyserling's lineage has been serving the Beaufort, SC Gullah community, and today, there's no difference to his dedication and serve that he continues to deliver. From restoring local churches to National Park Service monuments, Keyserling has and continues to do it all.
Are we capturing our stories and recipes? Are we sharing traditional elements of our culture? Are we speaking up and correcting the mis-interpretation of our history? Author of the book, Krak Teet: A Catalog of Black Savannah's Biographies, Trelani Michelle and I are talkin' about the importance of speaking to our elders, telling our stories the right way, code switching and how important it is for plantations and cultural sites to interpret our history the right way and so much more!
Most people can't get away from home fast enough when they are young, but eventually the heart and mind tugs so hard, that going back home is the only place that feels right. That's exactly what happened to Wilson Maron and in his case, coming home not only was where is heart needed to be, but it's also where he took up the fight that his family has being dealing with for the last 80 years.
Well, it's taken more than a year to get this interview scheduled, and having a conversation with her is worth the wait! Sistah Patt Gunn is Truth Teller, a Community Activist, Cultural Preservationist and so much more. She is such a cultural gem with so many incredible facets that this episode has to be part one!
It's not often that an animal is considered a significant cultural element. From the fields to races along beaches the Marsh Tacky horse easily tranisitions based upon the need. Not only is it an incredibly special animal, it also stands out as one that as specifically made to handle working in the thick gumbo or pluff mud on the hot and humid marshy sea islands.
The question of where Gullah islands are is a common one. The quick answer is that there are several. The issue is, how long will they be around? There's nothing more valueable than land, especially land that is the only legacy that you have. Gullah land is priceless and as such, what are we going to do to protect it?
Once you discover where you're from, the knowledge can lead to not only self identification, but to a lifelong curiousity. For author, professor and reknowned speaker Dr. Edda Fields- Black, her Gullah roots launched a career in the study of rice and the incredible stories that came out of Harriet Tubman's infamous Combahee River Raid. Along the river, enslaved people toiled over rice. The raid freed close to 750 people and some went from slave to soldier as US Colored Troop Soldiers with some incredible stories to tell.
Passing traditional skills down through the generations is an important way of not only maintaining ancestrial connections, but it also enables the skill to be a significant part of the families cultural legacy. Making a batau, the traditional boats that were used by Gullah fishermen, is a time honored skill that is seldom practiced anymore. This specialized handmade boat building talent, which has been shared from father to son for centuries in West Africa, continues along the sea islands in the Gullah Geechee communities, but only a few craftsmen are left today. Listen in as one of our treasured edlers speaks about this important element of culture.
Gullah Geechee culture matured on the coastal sea islands, but it was born out of several West African countries, especially along its Rice Coast. The Gullah Geechee connection to Sierra Leone is very strong, with elements of the culture being found on a lot of shores around the Atlantic. Get ready to understand and experience the African story, history, culture, traditions, and the language, from where it started to all of the places around the globe that slavery took it.
Gullah Geechee culture matured on the coastal sea islands, but it was born out of several West African countries, especially along its Rice Coast. The Gullah Geechee connection to Sierra Leone is very strong, with elements of the culture being found on a lot of shores around the Atlantic. Get ready to understand and experience the African story, history, culture, traditions, and the language, from where it started to all of the places around the globe that slavery took it.
We don't think about how important music is in our lives. For enslaved people, music was a source of strength that might have been one of the few things that helped them get throught the day. Listen in on a fascinating conversation with Keeper of the Culture, Dr. Eric Crawford, the author of Gullah Culture in America, on the importance and power that music was and still is in our daily life.
You never know where motivation or a shift in your life's path will take you. For Lotte Lieb Dula, it all started with a box in the attic that uncovered her family's past, led her to her calling. That box permanently altered not only how she sees the world, but what needs to change and how she intends to change it.
We talk about Heirs' Property a lot and how to find the heirs' and clear the title. But, what about what's next? There are several ways that the land can start to take care of itself and becoma an asset versus a liability. Here are some ideas and options that you can start today to have the land making enough money to pay for itself and create generational wealth.
West African tradition says that one should speak for themselves and for the ancestors who came before you. Gullah Chef, author and 6th generation farmer, Matthew Raiford is doing exactly that! He has taken his love for the culture, his roots and food and incorporated all of it into a lifestyle and business that is surly making the ancestors proud!
Plantation hopping from one to another and going in and out of slave cabins has become something that I've become drawn to. They have become more than old deteriorating buildings or just another historic tour, they are places were their stories I feel need to be shared accurately and completely. Straight no chaser. As it was and how it should be remembered. Every. Single.Time.
There's a lot of talk about the Gullah Geechee and West African connection and origin of the culture, but not much has been said about the strong bonds that slavery, wars and the blending of their traditions made between them.
There's alot of talk about the Gullah Geechee and West African connection and origin of the culture, but not much has been said about the strong bonds that slavery, wars and the blending of their traditions made between them.
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Some people say that the Gullah Geechee language is dying. Well, it's not! Finding out how many people are speaking Gullah or Geechee might be difficult because speakers are code switching. So, what is code switching? And why are bi-lingual Gullah's changing how they speak in public if their first language is Gullah? Join me for an energized and educational conversation on language, culture and how the language will be able to sustain itself for future generations.
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To submit to being enslaved must have taken not only strength, but a fierce will to survive. So how did enslavers overcome ones will to resist or to run? The tactics often resulted in fear and torture as a punishment and or deterrent to keep enslaved people in line. It's not an easy thing to talk about or a thought that we want to dwell on, however, it's a major part of what we need to know and understand if we are going to talk about the American slavery story.
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Like a lot of people, Glander Pressly grew up in the culture, but through her work she shares its richness all the time. For her, spreading Gullah is a deeply personal experience that she appreciates every day, especially when she looks at slave cabins or handles shackles and any other remnants from the past and the ancestors.
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The newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery. It may be the most recent addition to the federal calendar, but it's the oldest and longest nationally celebrated holiday in the US. June 19th, otherwise known as Juneteenth or Black independence day. Sadly, the majority of Americans don’t know or even recognize the importance of this date to our history. Juneteenth is not just Black History, but an important milestone in American history and the birth of freedom.
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So many incredible stories in Black history have been left untold. May and June are significant months in Black History. Here's the full story of two prominent Black American's who played a major part in shaping the nation's path to reconstruction after the Civil War.
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Did you know that one of the first Memorial Day Celebration began as a Gullah holiday?
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The world premiere of the Mitchelville, took several years to reach the stage, but when it did, the play and the cast of eight, came together like a perfect storm and eventually, a family. Each charactor and story line might have started out as just words on a page, however, its historic and cultural impact on audiences and the actors has demonstrated lasting affects. Listen in to a facsinating conversation with the entire cast as they share their impressions of the story, the culture and the deeper meaning that the play Mitchelville left behind.
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When highly successful TV screenwriter and playwrite, Aurin Squire decided to take on writing the play Mitchelville, it's not a leap to say that he didn't realize the magnitude and importance of the project by elevating the Gullah Geechee culture, by educating the Hilton Head Island community and even the lifechanging affects on the cast. Listen in to the play's backstory; why he decided to take it on and how it eventually affected him.
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It's the one year anniversary of the Lowcountry Gullah Podcast! With 52 episodes behind me and countless articles on the culture, I can't not reflect on the evolution of Lowcountry Gullah and my deepening dive into the culture and its impact. The last few years have been and incredible journey that has really changed who I am and how I now see life both historically and even more so, personally.
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The slavery story is often told with limited details and in today's climate, the information about what enslaved people experienced is often glossed over. So, here's the raw truth with the bandage ripped off; from Africa to the Middle Passage to the Carribean Seasoning Camps.
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Some people say that the Gullah culture is dying off. Yes, its had some struggles in the past with people being either embarassed by the langauge or by association, or even having to learn how to code switch in public spaces, but today, Gullah Geechee pride is thriving! Meet Aku Page, one of the Keepers of the Culture who is not only proud of her heritage, but is doing all that she can to make sure that the youngest Gullah Geechee are proud of who they are and where they came from.
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What is cultural appropiation? If you're not Gullah Geechee, can you wear a t-shirt that says Gullah? What about taking basket weaving classes or learning the language? It's a question that comes up a lot and that needs to be handled one way or another. So let's talk about it.
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Hilton Head Gullah, Caroline Grant grew up on the island when the culture and its traditions were in its purest form. Her experiences of growing up Gullah, along with the memories of two of the island's most respected elders, Dr. Emory Campbell and Thomas C. Barnwell are captured in the best selling book, Gullah Days. Listen in on this fascinating conversation on culture that takes you back to how Hilton Head Island was before the bridge and its development.
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Captured, subjected to Seasoning Camps then enslaved, Gullah women endured the unimaginable, yet they survived. and passed down valuable generational knowledges and skills. From quilts to sweetgrass baskets to dash cooking, they made sumpin from nothing and some way from no way. Here's a few of their incredible stories of survival and contributions towards making sure that the culture was passed on generation after generation.
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Everyone has a story and when you think about it, life is a combination of experiences and the memories that we share. Genealogy work is a great opportunity to take a peek behind the curtain of the past and uncover the details and stories that make our ancestors existence come back to life. Finding the information in your family tree can be a challenge, but when you look past the documents and can connect them into stories, it's like striking ancestry gold.
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Doing genealogical research is one way to uncover your roots and learn about your family tree. With evolving technology, using DNA is another great tool for taking your research further. For Black people, DNA can open a greater door with connections to extended family, as well as being able to identify African countries, but even the tribes that you come from. If you're new to research and DNA testing, take a journey with me as I find everything about what connects me to my tribes and to Africa.
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History and the lessons that we've all been taught can affect different people in different ways. Not only can those lessons show us the cause and effects that make our society what it is today, they can also guide us to be better and to become better versions of ourselves in the future.
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There aren't alot of Culinary Preservationists out there who have a depth of knowledge on West African food, culinary practices and flavors, especially one who can't break it down like Michael Twitty can. The author of a few incredible culinary based history books, including the Cooking Gene, Michael Twitty captivates as he educates you when he takes you on a culinary tour and shares some fascinating stories and foodways that come from Africa and spans the entire Carribean, to the east coast, throughout the south and as far away as Louisiana. Get ready for a deep dive into Gullah food history and get a taste of all of the flavors that he's about to cook up.
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So, what really is Black History Month? Where did it come from and why do we celebrate it?
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History books have taught us that freedom came with the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1865, which is true for the majority of enslaved people in the US. On the sea islands, the birth of freedom came as early as 1862, in the town of Mitchelville. An incredible story of stength and independence, the formerly enslaved were able to prove that they could successfully run thier own town. Here's their amazing story.
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Freedom Day is just as important of a holiday as Juneteenth and the Fourth of July. What is Freedom Day? When is it? And where did freedom in the US begin? All great questions.
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Plantations, slave cabins and slave cemetaries are just a few of the remnents of slavery that still exist. Most personal items don't other than historic land that was passed down through the generations. In some cases they are being preserved and treasured and in most cases, they're not. Is there a consistent national plan? If not, should there be?
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In the DNA and ancestry.com world, just the thought of searching for your ancestors can be an exciting journey of discovery, as well as daunting, especially if your a Black American. Frustration and hitting the 1870s Slave Wall might be what happens, but it is very possible that you can build a tree well into the early 1800s. Finding documents are fabulous, but the importance of discovering the stories that bridge the paper trail can be just as powerful. So, how do you start and grow your family's branches into a blooming tree? Join in on a fascinating conversation with the Barbara Cantaloni, Exceutive Director of the Hertiage Library with step by step guidance on how to get started.
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Today taking time to celebrate the holidays has become tradition. For enslaved people, the coming new year might have been a time of fear, dread or the anxious time that they've been waiting for to escape.
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The Watch Night Service is a tradition the grew out of slavery, yet still is an important part of how, for many African Americans, is the only way that a new year should be brought in. The practice, called “Freedom Night” or named the Watch Night Service, began in 1862, when anxious slaves were waiting on confirmation of their freedom based on the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, the service continues in the church with prayers of gratitude for another year and blessings over what’s to come.
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For generations, celebrating Kwanzaa from December 26th to January 1st has been a end of the year holiday tradition that's becoming more widely known and practiced. So what is Kwanzaa and why are the seven prinicples so important to our daily living? Intrigued? Here's a deep dive into this valued African American holiday that's based on family, empowerment and economic development.
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Living on an island and the isolation that comes with it, made Gullah holidays a little different, but special none the less. Getting ready for the sea island holidays was a year long process which made the seasonal harvests an an important part in the preparation that involved the entire family, from children to the elders.
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In Gullah culture, the food is deeply rooted in rice and seafood dishes that grew out of the diaspora and its West African influences. Gullah Chef BJ Dennis has built a reputation for not just amazing flavors, but for spreading knowledge about the ingredient's origns. His Gullah cooking may be what he's known for on a national stage andbut to him, its important to continue to use the techniques of the ancestors when he's blending his ingredients and every plate comes with a serving of the richly significant history of the food. Chef BJ has been featured in local, national and international cooking events including the BB&T Wine+Food Festival, Netflix 'High on the Hog', P.B.S 'Moveable Feast' and Bravo's 'Top Chef' and sharing his story with me.
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No matter what kind of modern technology you have, growing rice is a challenge. So imagine what enslaved people had to endure, working by hand to produce millions of pounds of rice annually. When comparing today's harvesting challenges to those of the past, one can only significantly increase the amount of well deserved respect that West African slaves from the rice coast are due. Without their labor, intelligence and skillsets that farming rice requires, the South's wealth and America's agricultural history would be complete different.
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If you haven't had the chance to taste her delicious food, I'm sure that you're familar with her name. A sixth generation Daufuski Island native, she's authored several popular Gullah cookbooks and has dedicated her life to spreading Gullah. Sally Ann has spent her life sharing the richness of Gullah culture as well as its flavorful food. As one of the Gullah cooking experts in the must see Netflix TV show, High on the Hog, in addition to countless other national media outlets Sally Ann is truly a Keeper of the Culture.
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For Keeper of the Culture Chef Sly, growing up in the Gullah culture included living off of the land and sea and working on a farm. Having fresh ingedients and learning how to cook by dash seasoning and from just the aroma or taste is a well known tradition that's been past down generation to generation from the ancestors. Gullah culture and foodways go hand in hand with a cast iron pan and Chef Sly uses the same ingredients to create incredible flavors and cooking lessons from the past into today's modern kitchen.
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Every day Americans are using Gullah traditions in what we say and eat. The culture and its foodways can be traced directly back to West Africa for several centuries. Things like one pot meals is just the beginning of some of the cultural flavors, ingredients and Gullah impacts that we enjoy today.
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The story of rice and its impact on the trans-atlantic slave trade, the US economy, the Georgetown story or the history's of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida could not be adequatly told without telling the story of Joshua John Ward. He was the "rice king" who was almong the wealthiest plantation owners in the south, developed the long grain rice seed, the largest enslaver in the US, and the indiviual that owned my ancestors. Here's his story.
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Visiting Georgetown, SC became a moving and emotional experience for not only me, but also for my mother. I've teased you enough about her, now you can hear her perspective. All I can say is, buckle up!
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The Black Church has always been the foundation of the Black/African American community. But what most people don't know is that many of the practices that continue to be experienced today, are directly tied to West African traditions ,p slavery and the Gullah Geechee culture. From the rite of passage called seeking, to jumping the broom and how ushers behave during the service, it's all connected.
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A Georgetown native, Marylin Hemmingway has made her Gullah culture not only a significant part of her own life and career, but is bringing awareness to a global level. Through the Chamber, this Keeper of the Culture is sustaining it by informing others and creating important educational and cultural economic opportunities throughout the Gullah Geechee Corridor, from NC to FL. From the waterways to entrepreneurship and making sure that the culture is being recognized for its significance, check out her amazing work and story.
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I bet you thought cotton was slavery's major crop. In the interior southern states, yes. But along the Gullah Geechee Corridor's coastline from North Carolina to Florida, rice became the most lucrative crop in the US. Join me for a fascinating conversation with Keeper of the Culture, Lee Brockington who breaks down slavery and the vital roles that enslaved women played in the story of rice as well as why Georgetown, SC was so important.
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The impact of slavery and the wealth that it created in the United States has not been correctly told in US History books, especially the role that rice played. Any conversations about Georgetown, SC have to include the incredible story and connection between slavery and Carolina Gold Rice. Here's the full, yet untold story.......until now.
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Going to Georgetown, SC and digging into my ancestral lineage opened up my eyes to so many new experiences.....and VERY strong emotions that I wasn't prepared for or expecting. From rice fields to slave cabins to slave cemeteries, understanding and deepening my respect for the ancestors is only the beginning of my Georgetown takeaways.
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Sometimes it's amazing how life works, especially when unexpected things come together to alter your journey or direction. That's what happened when I took a freelance assignment in Georgetown, SC, which continues to have one of the strongest and most active Gullah communities. I went there thinking that it was just another cultural writing assignment. Boy was I wrong.
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Even if you don't know his name, you know his work. From the TV show Gullah Gullah Island, to the stage, to the Gullah educational programming at Brookgreen Gardens and to the voice of the Lowcountry Trail interpretations, Ron Daise is truly an ambassador of the Gullah culture. Join in on a fascinating conversation about everything Gullah, from the language, growing up on St. Helena to his experiences in Africa, the Gullah Bible and more.
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Today, it's uncommon for the descendants of the enslavers to meet those of the enslaved. What's even more remarkable is for the descendent of the enslaver to care enough about her families past and what's happening in the present, to reach out and make contact. Now you know that origins of The Reparations Project. This two part series introduces the co-founders of The Reparations Project, which was founded by the direct descendants of the enslaver, Sarah Eisner and the enslaved, Randy Quarterman who together are doing some incredible work not only healing issues from the past, but bridging the wealth gap that continues to be a significant after effect of slavery in America. In this episode, meet Sarah Eisner, Co-Founder and descendent of the Quarterman's enslavers, who not only took the first step in reaching out to the descendent of her families' enslaved, but is doing all that she can do to right some of the wrongs for the family, help educate others who have been affected by slavery and help preserve heirs' property.
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Today, it's uncommon for the descendants of the enslavers to meet those of the enslaved. What's even more remarkable is for the descendent of the enslaver to care enough about her families past and what's happening in the present, to reach out and make contact. Now you know that origins of The Reparations Project. This two part series introduces the co-founders of The Reparations Project, which was founded by the direct descendants of the enslaver, Sarah Eisner and the enslaved, Randy Quarterman who together are doing some incredible work not only healing issues from the past, but bridging the wealth gap that continues to be a significant after effect of slavery in America.
In this episode, meet Sarah Eisner, Co-Founder and descendent of the Quarterman's enslavers, who not only took the first step in reaching out to the descendent of her families' enslaved, but is doing all that she can do to right some of the wrongs for the family, help educate others who have been affected by slavery and help preserve heirs' property.
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The Heirs Property issue is at a critical point in the Gullah Geechee community. The question is often asked how land can be sold from under someone even if they're living on the property. Join me in a fascinating conversation with Pastor Robin Dease who not only has heirs' property, but has also studied it, as well as worked to resolve it with members of her former congregation on John's Island, South Carolina.
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Land is land. Either you own it, or you don’t. Like any other asset, it has a value that can be calculated into a cost, right? Well, interestingly enough, the answer to that question varies, depending on who you’re asking. To most people, the answer is a clear and definitive yes. However, to a Gullah / Geechee, or native islander, the answer might be a resounding no. Confused? Let me explain.
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As the Civil War was fought, decisions were be being made as to how to handle an influx of millions of enslaved people that were going to become US citizens. Programs like 40 Acres and a Mule, the Freedman's Bureau, the Port Royal Experiment and establishing the Town of Mitchelville, which was the first self-governed town for freedmen in the US were all elements of what was supposed to be the reconstruction era that rebuilt the country after the Civil War. Some programs worked and most of them failed. Here's the breakdown.
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A thought made out loud 12 years ago about wanting to sleep in slave cabins, was the beginning of the chance to not only be close to where ancestors dwelled, but an opportunity to bring focus and a new found respect to their enslavement and learn from their experience. That's how Keeper of the Culture, Joe McGillis, the founder of the Slave Dwelling Project, began his travels around the country, in search of slave cabins where he spends evenings sharing a uniquely rich experience educating diverse groups as they foster intimate conversations about how not to forget our past, as well as how we can grow into our future.
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The religious practice of Seeking is a memorable spiritual experience that can have lifelong impacts. The Gullah religious practice of joining the church by Seeking is also a West African tradition and rite of passage that had been practiced as recently as the 1970s.
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Everyday, someone tells me how my work has either connected them to a culture that they didn't know was their's or simply a thank you for doing what I do to educate them about a culture that until now, was unknown to them, even if they grew up in it. This is the story behind how I found my culture and when Lowcountry Gullah was born.
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The newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery. It may be the most recent addition to the federal calendar, but it's the oldest and longest nationally celebrated holiday in the US. June 19th, otherwise known as Juneteenth or Black independence day. Sadly, the majority of Americans don’t know or even recognize the importance of this date to our history. Juneteenth is not just Black History, but an important milestone in American history and the birth of freedom.
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Haint blue is not just a shade of blue color; its steeped in tradition, beliefs and a way of life that continues today.
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So many incredible stories in Black History have been left untold. May and June are significant months in Black History. Here's the full story of two prominent Black American's who played a major part in shaping the nation's path to reconstruction after the Civil War.
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Did you know that one of the first Memorial Day Celebrations began as a Gullah holiday?
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Growing up Gullah, Zenobia Harper was gifted with all of the rich foundations that the culture has to offer, but walked away from it. Now, she's not only embracing her Gullah roots, but she's actively working to preserve it for future generations.
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Gullah Geechee come from a richly significant heritage and one of only a few indigenous cultures that's woven into the fabric of the US.
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It's May, so what better way to celebrate Mother's Day than telling the story of one of the Gullah community's oldest Gullah?
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Most Black or African Americans don't even know that they're a Gullah Geechee. So, what are you a Gullah or a Geechee? And if you are, what's the difference?
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Most people don't know about the richly significant contributions from Gullah Geechee culture that's woven into the fabric of the US. Grow in culture and information every week, with cultural influencer and preservationist, Luana M. Graves Sellars on the Lowcountry Gullah Podcast, where Gullah Geechee culture, history, and tradition lives.
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