Tag Archives: historic sites
Gullah/Geechee Souls and Sea Island Cotton
just as the stock market does, I value Sea Island cotton. I value it because of the blood, sweat, and tears that helped nourish it at its roots here in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Beyond Tourism Week in the Gullah/Geechee Nation
The U.S. travel and tourism industry generates approximately $2.1 trillion per year. So, it is no surprise that there is actually a “Tourism Week” celebrated. In South Carolina, Gullah/Geechee culture is often highlighted at the I-95 North Visitors Center in Hardeeville, SC. However, in most cases, Gullah/Geechee culture is not highlighted, it is hijacked!
The massive amount of tourists that come to the Gullah/Geechee Nation annually believe that by driving through and taking photos and then staying in a hotel or camp ground over night, they have supported the Gullah/Geechee people. They even end up often duped into spending funds at “historic sites” and plantations that have Gullah/Geechee listed on their websites and shots of sweetgrass baskets on their brochures to only find out that there are no Gullah/Geechee people that own that site. There may be one Gullah/Geechee person or a few that work there, but beyond their salaries, there is no economic support going to the citizens of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Engaging with Gullah/Geechee pun Hunnuh Journey
As many people make plans for the Memorial Day weekend and Sea Island summer journeys for their civic groups, family reunions, and social clubs, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition helps them to link to authentic Gullah/Geechee culture via De Gullah Root Experience Tour and providing information on Gullah/Geechee owned and operated businesses and historic sites. Also, in the midst of all of the nationally advertised commercial festivals, they link their supporters to the events that are being held by the grassroots and traditional Gullah/Geechee people. St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation which is one of very few Sea Islands that still have contiguous Gullah/Geechee family compounds in which Gullah/Geechee cultural heritage is lived daily. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that St. Helena is the place wherein those visiting will be able to fully engage with native Gullah/Geechees and support them economically.
Hilton Head Island Proclaims Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week!
For the second year in a row, the Town of Hilton Head in the Gullah/Geechee Nation has proclaimed “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.” They have now joined the ranks of Georgetown and Beaufort Counties for 2014. The week of celebration will take place July 28-August, 3, 2014 and will culminate with the “Gullah/Geechee Nation International …
A Sea of Gullah/Geechee Culture Flows for Gullah/Geechee Heritage Awareness Month
by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) Just as we prepare to engage in sacred ceremonies to culminate the inaugural Middle Passage Month which was declared as September in the Gullah/Geechee Nation, we flow into World Tourism Day. In support of the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, World Tourism Day (WTD) which is …
Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week: A Journey Through Ourstory
by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) Beaufort County, SC is the second oldest county in South Carolina. This county became what it is do to the blood, sweat, and tears of Gullah/Geechees that toiled in the Sea Island cotton, rice, and indigo fields of the Sea Islands that the county consist of …
Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week: Gwine Chuch!
by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) Tenk Gawd fa de chuch! God is the foundation and center of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Although Gullah/Geechees have a myriad of spiritual practices, it is difficult to find a Gullah/Geechee whose spiritual roots do not come out of the bush arbors and praise houses. The congregations …