GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION

History, Preservation and Visitor's Information

CONTENTS

Ef oona dey frum de lowcountree an de islandt, lookya, e da time fa go bak. Disyah da wey fa cum toggedda wid wi people fa hold on ta de tings wa wi peopol lef wi.

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition History and Membership

If you are someone that is concerned about the preservation of the branch of Africa's tree that has grown in America, this is a way for you to assist in nurturing and protecting that branch.

Please join our coalition today by filling out the application. Also, contact us to find out details on our current activities and what is to come.

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition-Northeast Afrikan Kultural Arts Network™(AKAN™) (212) 439-1026

or

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coaliton-Homebase
Post Office Box 1207
St. Helena Island SC 29920
(843) 838-1171

Gullah-Geechee@InterCHANGE.org

or

GullGeeCo@aol.com

Mus tek cyear a de root fuh heal de tree.

A direct link to the continent of Africa exist in the Sea Islands of the United States. In the islands that are a part of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Florida, Gullah and Geechee culture began during the enslavement of African people in America. It is directly related to the African traditional cultures of the people of Windward or Rice Coast of West Africa. Due to isolation on islands off the coast, the African people there did not have too much contact with people of other races except Native Americans. Thus, they were able to maintain their culture, language, and traditions unlike African people that were living on the "mainland." Gullah and Geechee Sea Islanders transformed these traditions into a new and distinct African American culture.

Due to the peaked interest in the Sea Islands and the Gullah and Geechee cultures from which her family's roots in America stem, Marquetta L. Goodwine originated the annual Gullah Excursion™ to Beaufort, South Carolina, home of the Gullah and Geechee people and cultures. Ms. Goodwine has been taking small groups to Beaufort (from which her roots stem) since 1986. She has since expanded her mission on making sure that the history of Gullahs and Geechees is preserved and told accurately. She has put together conferences that have gone as far as Nova Scotia, Canada that focus on the development of Sea Island heritage.

As an outgrowth of the Ourstory & Heritage Conference™ 1996 which focused on "Sea Island Survival," Goodwine is now heading the development of the "Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition." This organization:

The "Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition" was kicked off on Saturday, December 21, 1996 at Leroy Campbell's Spiritual Rhythms Gallery in Brooklyn, NY. Membership in the coalition is open to all those that are interested in the mission of uplifting and maintaining this unique part of African and American history and culture. Details on the tours and activities for 1999 and on supporting the "Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition" and through the Afrikan Kultural Arts Network™(AKAN™).

CLICK HERE FOR GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Hunnuh Home: Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Center

Located on St. Helena Island in the heart of the Gullah community of Beaufort, SC lies "Hunnuh Home." This center is geared toward those coming to the Sea Islands to do research on Gullah and Geechee cultures. It is set up as a center for research as well as fellowship with local community members. The center includes:

While at the center for a stay or a day of research take one of De Gullah Root Tours. Tours conducted by native islanders are done from "Hunnuh Home: Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Center." They cover the history, music, folklore, and daily living of the Gullah and Geechee people. To register please enclose a 50% deposit based on the following rates:

NOTE: There are discounts for groups of 7 people or more. Call or send e-mail for details.

You can also have a Gullah home cooked meal at the opening or close of your tour. Meals are $6 per person. They need to be requested along with registration for the tour.

Also, inquire about personalized intineraries for touring more than one Sea Island area.

CLICK HERE FOR HUNNUH HOME REGISTRATION FORM

Wadastick
Gullah Sea Island Artists and Scholars Residency Program
Supporter Information

WADASTICK is a non-profit (501(c)3) dedicated to the cultivation of artists and scholars that are interested in the richness of art and nourishment that come directly from the earth. The Wadastick Gullah Sea Island Artists and Scholars Residency will connect visual and performance artists as well as scholars with artists, healers, elders, community preservationists, etc. for 1 to 3 months of studies. During this period, the artists will do on site projects. There will be an additional residency established at the WADASTICK location in the tri-cultural community of Laurel Hill, NC. Artists' studios are currently being built to support this portion of the residency. WADASTICK is dedicated to connecting people to history and heritage of the Native Americans, African Americans, and other ethnic groups that began the settlements on the eastern seaboard of North Carolina and the South Carolina Lowcountry and Sea Islands.

CLICK HERE FOR WADASTICK TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION FORM

Activities Information

To keep up with our activities via the Internet:

This list is being sponsored by the owners of the server:

GO TO GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION MEMBERSHIP FORM

GO TO HUNNUH HOME REGISTRATION FORM

GO TO WADASTICK TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION FORM

RETURN TO GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION INDEX PAGE

RETURN TO THE GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION WEB SITE

Posted by:

Bennie J. McRae, Jr.
LWF COMMUNICATIONS
P.O. Box 26148
Trotwood, Ohio 45426-0148
E-mail: lwf@coax.net


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