Hilton Head Island
Learn About the Gullah Culture on Hilton Head
During the February month long Gullah Celebration
Looking for something to do on Hilton Head and learn your history at the same time? Then look no further than month long Gullah Celebration in February. Varied events include everything from art shows, to historical performances and even a Marsh Tacky (the SC state horse) race on the Coligny beach!
According to information on the Gullah Celebration website "the original Gullah were African slaves who were shipped across the Atlantic from West Africa to work the cotton plantations of the South. While plantation owners built their fortunes upon slave labor, the slaves were able to create something of their own -- the unique culture that is now known as Gullah. With that culture came a thriving mix of language, folktales and superstition, a mix that has shaped generations of families who live on Hilton Head Island and in the Lowcountry today."
On Hilton Head one can also visit Mitchelville - the first freed Negro township; Zion Chapel of Ease - Hilton Head's oldest cemetery; Queen Chapel AME Church - established in 1860 as a "praise house" for Pope Plantation slaves and this can all be done by taking the Gullah Heritage Trail Tour.
On the Gullah Celebration site they went onto to explain "Very important to the culture is the Gullah language which is kept alive through vivid storytelling in the native tongue, a dialect that appears to be a combination of a variety of African languages and English. Forbidden by plantation owners to speak their native tongue, the African slaves developed the dialect out of necessity by incorporating broken English with African words. The Gullah dialect survives today as a "creolized" version of English. Through passionate prayers, sermons and tales, the Gullah remember their past and look toward the future preservation of their culture; a culture distinguished by the crafts of sweet grass basket weaving, boat building and quilting."
A Few Highlights of the Events during the month:
• Month long art display of "DE AARTS OB WE PEOPLE XIV" at the Walter Greer Gallery in the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
• 2/5/11 National Freedom Day starting with a breakfast, includes a parade and finishes with a lecture
• 2/12/11 A Taste of Gullah at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina 12-4PM $10 a meal
• 2/19/11 Gullah Arts, Crafts & Food Expo at Honey Horn 11 - 5PM Over 50 Vendors selling their wares. Admission -$5 adults / $3 children (5 & under free)
• 2/13/11 A variety show called "Gullah Celebration in Harbour Town" includes food & artwork $10
• 2/27/11 ends the celebration with the 3rd annual March Tacky Run and Exhibition 11-3PM Coligny Beach $5 Donation
Click for more details on specific Gullah Celebration Events
