Celebrations of Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage and Continuation
“Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Awareness Month” was filled with inspirational and educational events and activities. The citizens of the Gullah/Geechee Nation never restrict the celebration of who they are to one month. Instead, they celebrate the continuation of their cultural heritage all year long. To that end, the month of November is filled with celebrations of this rich cultural legacy.
November 7-9 Heritage Days Celebration at Penn Center, Inc on historic St. Helena Island, SC will celebrate 37 years under the theme “Reaching Back to Wisdom: Looking Forward to Positive Changes.”
One of the highlights of this year’s celebration will be will be Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation‘s return to the event. She will premiere her histo-musical production, “De Gullah/Geechee Gal’ree” on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 6:30 pm in Frissell Community House. Tickets are available at
During the morning, youths will learn a variety of things related to the history of St. Helena Island and Penn Center as they explore the “Gullah Roots Village” and learn from some of the elders including those of the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association and as they tour the Dr. York W. Bailey Museum. The adults will be able to also take part in the symposium:
Folks can enjoy music and food into the night on the grounds on Friday. However, they need to save some energy to get up early for the parade Saturday morning. Queen Quet will also be the Main Stage MCEE at the conclusion of the parade.
While this long standing celebration is happening in South Carolina, the Rice Festival will be taking place in coastal Georgia. The folks that are a bit further inland Georgia do not have to worry about missing the opportunity to celebrate this rich culture if they can’t get to the coast to one of these two celebrations though. There will be the 2nd Annual Gullah/Geechee Heritage Celebration held at Georgia Southern University on November 14th featuring Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) and Dr. Amir Jamal Toure as “Dayclean de African Spirit.”
Those that are adventurous will spend Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th at Penn Center on historic St. Helena Island, head down to the Rice Festival on Saturday, November 9th and then make plans to also meet up at GSU on November 14th.
Gullah/Geechee books, CDs, and crafts will be on sale at all of these events. The Heritage Days Celebration market will allow people to meet those that make sweetgrass baskets, handmade quilts, and more things related to the living culture of the Gullah/Geechee people. Both events will also featured local farmers with fresh fall harvest items for sale. So, come prepared to take home a variety of cultural treasures just in time for the holy days season gift shopping and cooking to begin.
Ef hunnuh wan kno mo bout who webe een de Gullah/Geechee Nation, mek sho hunnuh paat ob disya celebration!
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- Tagged: celebrations, crafts, cultural heritage, events, festivals, Geechee, Georgia Southern University, GSU, Gullah, gullah geechee nation, Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Celebration, Heritage Days Celebration, Penn Center, play, Queen Quet, Rice Festival, SC, St. Helena Island