Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ 2012 Back in Charleston!

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ July 13, 2012 ♦ 1 Comment

Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ 

Returns to Charleston, SC

The Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ 2012 (www.gullahgeechee.info) returns to Charleston, SC August 3-5, 2012.  The theme for this three day celebration of living history and cultural traditions is “Gullah/Geechee Jubilee” and will be a homecoming for Gullah/Geechees.  This is will be the culmination of “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.”

Founders of the festival, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) and Kwame Sha of All Mobile Productions™ (AMP™) are looking forward to hosting the attendees at various locations throughout Charleston County this year.   The event begins Friday, August 3, 2012 with an 11 am brunch in historic downtown Charleston which will feature fresh produce grown in the area prepared with a Gullah/Geechee twist by Chef BJ Dennis.   The participants will see several historic sites in Charleston before proceeding to “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day pun Edisto”!  The “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” will include a tour through the National Edisto Scenic Byway that will conclude with a Gullah/Geechee ancestral tribute ceremony at Botany Bay at 6 pm.  Tickets are required for the luncheon and tour.  However, the opening ceremony at Botany Bay is FREE and open to the public.  Gullah/Geechee families and folks should RSVP for it.

The event continues on August 4 at the Charleston Maritime Center from Noon until 7 pm.  Authentic Gullah/Geechee crafts and foods will be on sale throughout the day.  The public can also view the “Sankofa’s Heroes-the 1st SC and the 54th Regiments” collection from the “Sankofa Traveling Museum.” The film “Wilmington on Fire” will debut at the event and there will be a filmmaker discussion and autograph session with Chris Everett.  Gullah/Geechee films, books, and CDs will be available at the event as well.

Performances will be done by native Gullah/Geechees including “Wo’se of Charleston African Drum and Dance,” “The Lighthouse Puppet Show,” Geechee Gal Regina Williams, the Authentic Geechee Girl of “Geechee 101,” Terrie Burns, Poetress Elder Carlie Towne, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Centenary Youth Choir and Praise Dancers, Evangelist Pat Walker and YAMM, and more.  Between presentations, participants can have massages done and learn of healing techniques from “A Soulful Touch” that will be on site.   The entire event is about reconnecting the Gullah/Geechee family together to celebrate their survival and to share healing energy within this circle of reconnection 151 years after the beginning of the United States Civil War in the city where it all began.

Saturday evening or Sunday morning, visitors can take boat rides from the Fort Sumter National Monument at Liberty Square and/or visit the South Carolina Aquarium which are all sites within the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.   Guests are encouraged to worship with the local community on Sunday morning and then come to the Robert Smalls Marker at the Waterfront Park at 1 pm for a historic procession along the same waters where “The Planter” was taken from Confederate waters to the Union waters.

The group will depart downtown Charleston for the Sol Legare community of the Town of James Island.   Tickets must be obtained to board the vehicle for this historic journey which will include a special ceremony at the Freedmen’s Bureau location on James Island.   The festival will conclude at the “Sol Legare Seashore Farmers’ Lodge 787” with a historic re-enactment by the “54th Massachusetts Regiment” and the “South Carolina Volunteers” beginning at 3 pm. Many of the re-enactors where in the film “Glory.” There will be tours of the farmer’s lodge museum and Gullah/Geechee foods, family, and fun for everyone from 3-7 pm.  It is open to all.

If you have been interested in reconnecting with your Gullah/Geechee family roots or simply having an opportunity to learn the truth about this unique culture, their language, and their continuing traditions, this is the event to be a part of!  www.gullahgeechee.info, GullGeeCo@aol.com, or (843) 838-1171 for tickets, information, and group discounts. Cum fa jayn we at de Gullah/Geechee Jublee!