Disya Who WEBE!
- The Gullah/Geechees came together to declare themselves as a nation on July 2, 2000 with international observers and media present.
The Gullah/Geechee Nation exist from Jacksonville, NC to Jacksonville, FL. It encompasses all of the Sea Islands and thirty to thirty-five miles inland to the St. John’s River. On these islands, people from numerous African ethnic groups linked with indigenous Americans and created the unique Gullah language and traditions from which later came “Geechee.” The Gullah/Geechee people have been considered “a nation within a nation” from the time of chattel enslavement in the United States until they officially became an internationally recognized nation on July 2, 2000. At the time of their declaration as a nation, they confirmed the election of their first “head pun de boddee”-head of state and official spokesperson and queen mother. They elected Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com).
Queen Quet is the first elected Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
The Gullah/Geechee Nation can be reached at
Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters
Post Office Box 1109
St. Helena Island SC 29920
(843) 838-1171 or email GullGeeCo@aol.com
The Gullah/Geechee Nation Declaration states:
Mission
To preserve, protect, and promote our history, culture, language, and homeland and to institute and demand official recognition of the governance (minority) rights necessary to accomplish our mission to take care of our community through collective efforts which will provide a healthy environment, care for the well beings of each person, and economic empowerment.
Goals
As we are the authentic original Gullah/Geechee Nation with direct linkage to our ancestral legacy, we stand as custodians of Gullah/Geechee culture and protectors of our human rights. Henceforth, being the ONLY and TRUE keepers of the Gullah/ Geechee cultural legacy, upon us falls the responsibility to promote in an accurate and positive manner all aspects of Gullah/ Geechee culture by emanating knowledge and healing souls. This process is guided through the release of the full story of the foreparents of Gullah and Geechee ancestral souls and the wisdom of our elders.
WE intend to protect the development and construction of Gullah/Geechee culture through the establishment of appropriate institutions and law by the exercise of our human rights. Presently this is being achieved through and during conferences, workshops, festivals, and other celebrations of culture and the continuation of oral traditions, living history, crafts, skills, and reconnection to the soil. The establishment of this Constitution will guarantee the continuation by the exercise of our minority right to self-determination.
WE will link with organizations, other nations, and institutions that are contributing positively to the cultivation of our nation.insuring that those connections are carried out with dignity and honor.
In the tradition of our foreparents we will record in written form OURSTORY as a living testament to our Gullah/Geechee legacy. We will also broaden our continuum through the use of electronic and video and audio means of documentation. Through the exercise of our human rights, we will be the keepers of this material as we accept the responsibilities of defining ourselves and our ancestors.
WE will preserve, maintain, and reclaim ALL elements of our homeland which will FOREVER be our base of existence as we carry out these goals. With these goals in mind, Gullah/Geechee people take formal recognition of their nation and their human right to self-determination within the context of their minority governance rights, and thereby, the Gullah/Geechee Nation Wisdom Circle Council of Elders, by its hands, spirit and soul undertakes the task of creating and ratifying the first Constitution of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
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The Gullah/Geechee Nation Constitution is 21 pages long. It is the document of governing principles by which the Wisdom Circle Council of Elders and the Assembly of Representatives operated as the right and left hands of the Head-of-State.
Official flag of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation educates about the meaning of the national flag of the Gullah/Geechee Nation:
In order to keep up with the latest information regarding the Gullah/Geechee Nation, please subscribe to our Gullah/Geechee Nation blog or click on the link below to access it, subscribe to our monthly international ezine “De Conch” by emailing the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition at GullGeeCo@aol.com, watch Gullah/Geechee TV Nayshun Nyews and subscribe for FREE on YouTube, and tune in to Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio and subscribe for FREE on iTunes. All a disya gwine le hunnuh kno who webe fa tru an fa sho! Ef hunnuh wan buy Gullah/Geechee tings, den gwine ta de Gullah/Geechee Nation’s online store: www.gullahgeechee.ecwid.com or at www.gullahgeechee.biz fa support we!
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Hello there Gullah/Geechee Nation. I am interested in knowing if there are any Kurtz’ or Steed a part of the nation.
Peace!
We aren’t familiar with those surnames. Do you have a county and state where they were from?
I am wondering about any Gibson’s or Avery, Avera, Avara surname from Warren GA.
That part of Georgia is not part of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Hello,
My parents and grandparents lived in Geoegetiwn and St. Stephen’s, SC. My father often spoke if being Geechee. Could Nole derived from Seminole?
Is brown a familiar surname? My family from the yamesse/ Charleston area. I visit from time to time to visit our family grave site in yamesse. Found great great greats named Harry & Phobie dating back to the 1800s.
Yes, Brown is an extremely familiar surname here.
My great grandmother told my mother that she was Geechee from the Gullah so I wanted to see how true it was her last name is Allen and I see she and her parents were from South Carolina it says Clareton County and S Swamp?? Do you know what that means?
That sounds like Clarendon County which is not one of our counties and we have marsh and not swamp generally. It would be good for you to get a specific location in South Carolina for sure.
I have Browns that were on Chester, SC in the 1800s. Found a great grandfather Shelton Brown born abt 1833, not sure of his parents.
Brown? From yamesse ? Charleston area. Harry and phobie is how far back I can trace my family tree.
Hello ! My family is from SC and I was doing research on my family. I was wondering if the surnames Mahoney, Saunders, Owens, Mcmillan, Stevenson, Culler, or Rothwell were familiar to you? Thank you !
Peace!
Someone else is looking for Cullier from Horry County and Georgetown County on this thread also. So, maybe you should connect and see if you are kin to one another.
Owens and Saunders are names we know in Charleston County, SC. The other surnames are not as familiar. We have met some Stevensons, but it seems that they were not originally from the coast. We pray that you locate your family. Check records at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in Columbia, SC once you know the counties that your people were from.
Yes my family is Cullier as well
My family is Cullier from Horry they also relocated to Florida
St Augustine, St John’s Bay and Jacksonville
Hey, the surname for that side of my family is Culler, not Cullier. Sorry for any confusion !
My mother’s side has the surname Saunders // with ties to SC and St. Kitts. Haven’t really been able to trace it back any further. Most are in NY now.
Just for clarification were you familiar with any of the last names Cullur/cullier, Dickerson, Gould or Oliver in Horry county, Georgetown, All Saints Parish, Charleston or Murrells Inlet?
I asked this question several weeks ago and didnt recieve a response
Peace!
Oliver is a surname we are familiar with. All the areas that you mentioned are in the Gullah/Geechee Nation, but are also areas where many people from other parts of the country and the world tend to settle since they are urbanized and port cities.
Peace and Blessings! Like many people on here my dna tests and quests to become closer to my ancestors has led me here. My ancestors lived all around north and south carolina specifically Edgewood, South Carolina. Some of my ancestors last name McLaughlin, Hawley and Glover. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Peace Gabrielle!
Edgewood is inland SC and not within the Gullah/Geechee Nation. The culture is different in that part of SC. We have Glovers throughout the state. However, we are sure that you can likely connect to folks that are still in Edgewood. Enjoy the reconnection.
Greetings; just wanted to check possible lineage with the last name of Dukes? Family spread out throughout SC/FL. Thanks for any info you may have!
Peace!
We haven’t encountered any Gullah/Geechees with that surname. It may exist in inland areas of SC or other parts of Florida though.
Hello, I just discovered that my maternal line goes back to South Carolina. I’m still pursuing the county. Is McGee/McGhee a common surname for Gullah/Geechee?
Peace!
We do know a family with the last name, but they are not native Gullah/Geechee. They moved to the coast from up north. You need to provide the specific county in SC and we may be able to assist you further.
Hello my name is Regina fenner my grandmother name is brown from orangeburg I was trying to find out her ethnicity she also had glover Marshall baker Shinall In her family. Thanks for any help
Peace!
Orangeburg is not within the Gullah/Geechee Nation. It is inland South Carolina and the culture is different. You may find info at South Carolina State about your family or at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in Columbia, SC.
Greetings, l would like to know, if Washington’s from kingstree S.C. And The Bells From Williamsburg,My Father side Also from South Carliona. A part of the Nation too? And Thanks
Peace!
Williamsburg County where Kingstree, SC is located is within the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Thank you..
My family surnames McClary from Boggy Swamp area and McFadden from Mouzon StMary’s area outside of Kingstree Williamsburg Co. Miller from Santee/ Summerton and Pringle from Nesmith by way of Georgetown
My father’s surname was German he was from SC is that a surname included in Geechee Nation?
Peace!
We have met folks in Florida with that surname but not in South Carolina and it is no a common name amongst Gullah/Geechee families.
Hello when I ran across your Facebook page and saw you I was like wow you look like my great grand mother Lucille she was from South Carolina but had to flee to St.Petersburg Florida for unknown reasons her and her brother she was
Geechee we where looking for clues to her family history but all ways come to a dead in please help 8132605128 my great grandmother‘s Surename was glass or Evans
Hi. My husbands mother is from Kingstree and I’ve heard the term…I let my Gullah slip…lol her maiden name was McCrea. Is that a surname? His mother’s sister did ancestry and found out just how educated their family was. I’m going to tell our Auntie about this group 💜.
By the way Queen you really favor my husbands oldest sister.
My famaily are from North and South Carolina I’m a Williams by birth my surname or Williams .hinton tillis, my dads and my mom Lewis, Crawford Brantley Payton or Peyton and many others to add on to that
I am 😲 never new that there is such a community like this exist in America. History is powerful. I would like to visit one day
Hello, my qns involves, how can I find out if I hav “Roots” with the Gullah Geechee Nation? I just discovered some relatives were n So Carolina back n the early to mid 1800. This may sound strange but I feel a strong connection to the nation. It’s a challenge to look for ur kinfolks whn accurate records weren’t keep & still hidden. I didn’t discover my mom side of the family tree until I started pay-n $20/months with Anvestry.com.
Peace!
No everyone in South Carolina is Gullah/Geechees. If you have specific county names, we can better help you with more information. It is not that difficult to locate us since native Gullah/Geechees have been place based folks for hundreds of years and most of us kept our surnames which relinks the families for generations.
Hi! My grandfather is a Stoney from Bluffton, SC! Are you familiar? I’m not sure what other family names I may have! Thank you!
Bluffton is in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. We do not know your grandfather specifically.
Peace and Blessings! I’m from Savannah,GA and I come from the Habersham surname Savannah River Basin which broke off into Hall and Bryant. I look forward to coming back to Riceboro I haven’t been back since I was at least 12 and most amazing and eye opening experience of my history. Thank you for a you do and I can’t wait to make a change and grow within my culture to keep I kno who webe!
Hello! I have recently been doing research into my family history and have discovered that some members of my family were born on Coosaw Plantation on St. Helena. It appears they stayed on St. Helena for years after that as well. Their last name was Holmes. Is that a common last name there? I am trying to find where that last name originated. Thank you!
Peace!
Actually, Coosaw is an island unto itself and it is not part of St. Helena Island. It is a couple islands over and the Holmes were located there. There are several different Holmes Families on St. Helena that are not related to the Coosaw ones by blood.
The surname originated in England.
Peace!
Thank you for the information! Is Coosaw Island considered part of Gullah Geechee nation?
I would like to lnow if there’s any Boone’s we’re from Bishopville and Sumpter South Carolina.
Peace!
The midland area of South Carolina is not part of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. However, you should see if your family migrated there from Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston County, SC-Mt Pleasant to be exact.
Hello, my Great Grandfather Sam Mack was Geechee he told my mother and siblings he was from The Carolina’s. I emailed you a couple of years ago about the Nelson and Mack’s. You’re response was for to come meet my family. I’m actually thinking about coming there this summer. How would I go about planning a vacation there? Ancestry means a lot to me. I have had dreams of women speaking to me through telepathy, I think a trip here will help me on my spiritual journey.
Blessings! Is Williams or Smith the surnames of Gullah folk?
Peace, both my great grandparents and grandparents was geechee that live in Alabama that came from the Georgia regional. Last names Bennett, Stinson and Johnson
I just found out that my grandmother was Gullah. Anyone familiar with the surnames Simmons-White, Brown, or Middleton. Her name was Gardenia Simmons-White she was born and raised in St Helena Island in 1934 I’m so excited to lean and absorb the culture and truly get back to my roots.
Peace!
We know Ms. Gardenia. She was with us at “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day” on Saturday. You should know her also since you say she is your grandmother. She can introduce you to all of those family members that you named because they are all still here on St. Helena.
Small mistake, she is actually my fathers (Russell Spears) aunt. Her sister is my grandmother. I cannot wait to get down there for my birthday this winter and get closer to my roots!!
I discovered that I have Middletons in my family. They were enslaved on Middleton Place (Charleston SC). Savannah, Manuel and Polly Middleton.
Peace! Just wondering will there ever be any more expansions to de Gullah Geechee nation map/territory? And is the nation and corridor different because the maps all look a bit different.
The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a United States National Heritage Area that runs through the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Although the corridor boundaries were changed, we do not change the boundaries of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
My grandfather’s surname was Whaley and he was from Savannah, Georgia. Is the surname common in the Gullah/Geechee nation? Some researches on that side of the family found Geechee heritage. But I can’t confirm it.
We are familiar with that surname. Savannah, GA is in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Looking for more information, did some history on my family after I lost my mom in 2019. I found connection to the language and people. Also did DNA test and found more roots to Geechee. Please if anyone can help fill in the gaps. I never heard of Gullah Geechee until now.
Hello – My people (beginning with my great grandfather, Allen Myers Sr., Are from Pamplico S.C. His father was born there as well and is buried at Mill Branch Church. I am trying to identify our connection, if any. I was born an orphan.
Surnames as follow .. brockington Jenkins Brock brockinton Watkins…from kingstree to chucctown…I need help finding one’s self
Finding yourself involves a relationship with GOD and connection to your actually people. Locate your family and connect.
Hello!
My grandfather is from South Carolina and was rumored to be speaking gullah. His last name was Young, and I wanted to know if that surname was familiar.
Young is a surname here in the Gullah/Geechee Nation, but most of them migrated to the coast. They have been here for generations. There is also an island with that name.
Are you familiar with the surname Mustipher? My paternal grandmother is from Charleston, SC and says we are Gullah/Geechee
Charleston is a Gullah/Geechee county and city.
We have heard that surname before as well.
Peace and blessings to you and I have Several family from Kingstree one of my main surnames are the Shaws and Brayboy wondering if these names are common?
Kingstree is right on the western boarder of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Those names are not common, but we have heard of Shaw before.
My mother was born Pearline Walker, in Early Branch, SC in 1914. She always said she was Hee hee. Some of her family surnames are Whipper, Simmons, Singleton and Fennel. Are they part of the Gullah Geechee Nation?
All of those surnames are here in the Gullah/Geechee Nation just as Early Branch is part of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Peace, as the others, I’ve been doing some family digging. My Grandmother has always told me her father was a geechee and her mother was a Indian(Seminole). My great grandfathers last name was myers, i think his father was gethesemane myers. My great grandmothers last name was wright, she was Seminole. My grandmother has the geechee accent i think. She always pronounced her “V’s” with a B sound.
Many of the people called “Seminole” were actually Gullah/Geechee. Please purchase “The Legacy of Ibo Landing: Gullah Roots of African American Culture” to learn more about that. Read the “Gullah Wars” section. You can obtain it from http://www.GullahGeechee.biz.
Hello, hope all is well.
Looking to see if any Heckstall’s or Blount’s are common in the corridor. My family is mostly from Plymouth, NC but I know some of my ancestors lived in Wilmington along the coast. Not sure if we Gullah Geechee or not, mostly looking for resources to find out. Thanks!
Wilmington is part of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
We’ve met Blounts, but that is not a common surname here.
My Grandfather was born on Tybee Island in 1918 his name was Elijah (Anderson ) We are from the south Georgia area near the Florida border closer to Tallahassee .. Another grandfather’s name was Milo (Gaines) . We are more familiar with the term fresh water Geechie …. other surnames are Hurst ,Grant, Sheppard . Have you heard of Pucknauhiltla the black Seminole town now called Bainbridge Georgia ? ……I had an DNA test done and it linked me to an Black Seminole warrior called (Negro Abraham) …Gullah Geechie Seminole wars…….Thank you for any feedback in advance.
The Gullah Wars included many native Gullah/Geechees (There is no “i” in Geechee.) that successfully lead that war.
We do not buy into the division that was created to destroy our people. Our entire coast is salt water. We are one! WEBE Gullah/Geechee!
We are Anderson/Browns/Gaines/Grants/Sheppard
Hello,
My immediate family comes from Oklahoma but they moved from Alabama and South Carolina where a lot of them died in Panola, Mississippi. Are there any Geechee people whose surname is Hill?
That is not a common surname here. Where in South Carolina did they migrate from? We did have people leave this coast and end up in Oklahoma.
Gullah folks man are interesting to create a new community from the old. Are there any Fogle or McDowell or Fry ancestry involved in the national community?
Those surnames are not found here to our knowledge.
My name is Tiron Bernard Rowe my mom Shelby l.Rowe her dad is Leon smalls I’m from the smalls family wish I could know more I’m located on the Nw Portland Oregon
Peace!
Make sure to obtain books from http://www.GullahGeechee.biz. Also, subscribe to http://www.GullahGeechee.tv for FREE to learn more.
Hello Queen, I be Marcie from Texas by way of Chas. SC. Can you tell me where to find access to an archive with ALL the family names the Gullah/Geechee people that anyone may potentially obtain; to discover their possible connection (history/roots) to this Anointed people/tribe?
I am very interested in this rich African-American history, and I’m presently in the process of establishing a personal library for my children & grandchildren for future reference (esp. after I be gone). Thank YOU for ALL you’ve done, & continue to do to educate our people (including me) about who WEBE!! BLESSINGS……..:)
Peace!
We do not have an archive of ALL Gullah/Geechee surnames.
You can obtain items for your library from http://www.GullahGeechee.biz.
Hey i have family from sc last name laster or lassiter that came from edisto island and mccormick abbeville area and the brockmans from greenville sc
Queen quet
I would like to do highlight my grandfather Deacon Jack Johnson of Orange Grove Plantation. It was the Deacon of Orange go back to church. It was one of the counselors that he helped many in the community with his farm on. Helping people get to work on Paris island with the produce And I do not want my grandfather Deacon Jack Johnson to be forgotten he was a great man great man and he did a lot for get a lot for Saint Helena island and all over many people know him So that Jack Johnson will not be forgotten. His final church that he went to was ebenezeh Baptist church is It’s pastor Ritter so I thank you all very much. Because many of you know him he always this song was I was working on the building and he was working on a building with for many of you and me and me Amen Just like he was singing in an prayer house all those things that you were doing he did it Amen
Hello Gullah/Geechee nation! Is Mack a familiar surname?
Yes, it is.
Hi, I would like to know if the surnames Brown and Rogers are familiar in the Gullah Nation?
Brown is extremely common here. We haven’t heard of Sheldon Brown.
Have you heard of Shelton or Sheldon Brown? He was born abt 1833 in South Carolina. I have no idea of his parents or siblings.
Hello I have a few questions please , first do the gullah also consider themselves african american? And second are there any surnames familiar such as Coleman,Green,Rice,Etherly?
Coleman and Green are common surnames here.
African American is a catch all phrase started by Rev. Jessie Jackson. Some people use that interchangeably. However, webe Gullah/Geechee specifically.
Hello, in researching my family’s history (both sides), I found that my mother’s father was from the area of Blair, SC. Growing up, I heard folks call her Geechee; all these years, I took it to be a nickname. Only after she passed, I came across Gullah Geechee. Then it came to me where I heard the name Geechee from. As I got older, I pieced together information I had heard from my nephews, when they spoke about her. One told me that when they were young, they had gotten into some trouble one day, and she scolded them. One nephew smirked, and she told him, “boy, don’t play with me, Im a “salt-water” Geechee”? Now that, I’d never heard of before. Her father from from Blair South Carolina, and as a child, she visited every summer. She even had horses she would ride when she went each year. Guess that’s where I got my fondness for riding horses. I was wondering does the name March ring any bells for anyone? This is the family I am tracing on my mother’s side.
Any Anderson or William’s in record. Father (Anderson) from Wilmington..mother William’s (Georgia)
“Williams” is a common surname here.