Experience Gullah History this summer (July 7 to 14) with Roots To Glory Tours

May 17, 2016
DUNIA Mag
Posted in Around The World

THE HISTORY OF THE GULLAH LIVES IN COASTAL GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA
JULY 7 – 14, 2016

The Gullah history is well known in South and North Carolina. Not many people know that Georgia also has a huge historical significance in the Gullah history. This particular Gullah tour is an opportunity to get to know that part of the Gullah culture.

WHY THE GULLAH TOUR?

The Gullah are a distinctive group of Black Americans from Coastal South Carolina and Coastal Georgia in the southeastern United States. They live in small farming and fishing communities along the Atlantic coastal plain and on the chain of Sea Islands which runs parallel to the coast. Because of their geographical isolation and strong community life, the Gullah have been able to preserve more of their African cultural heritage than any other group of Black Americans. They speak a creole language similar to Sierra Leone Krio, use African names, tell African folktales, make African-style handicrafts such as baskets and carved walking sticks, and enjoy a rich cuisine based primarily on rice.

The Gullah people are directly descended from the slaves who labored on the rice plantations, and their language reflects significant influences from Sierra Leone and the surrounding area. The Gullahs’ English-based creole language is strikingly similar to Sierra Leone Krio and contains such identical expressions as bigyai (greedy), pantap (on top of), ohltu (both), tif (steal), yeys (ear) and swit (delicious).

This year we follow the journey of the Gullah to Florida. We will spend time in St. Augustine and Amelia Island the site of American Beach known as the very first beach for blacks during segregation.

This tour begins on July 7, 2016 in Charleston, South Carolina, and will include visits to Gullah areas in Georgia, and Florida.

PROTECTING GULLAH TRADITIONS – DOCUMENTARY