Tag Archives: South Carolina
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Awareness Month 2022
For those that are intrigued by the traditions of native Gullah/Geechees, there are two major times of year that folks should engage in the events and postings of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week” takes place from the final Saturday in July until the first Sunday in August annually and “Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Awareness Month” which is October. A series of events hosted by native Gullah/Geechees takes place throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation from Jacksonville, NC to Jacksonville, FL are held annually. The celebrations combines online posting via http://www.Facebook.com/GullahGeecheeWEBE, @GullahGeechee on IG and Twitter, @GullahGeecheeNation on TikTok and releases of new programming on http://www.GullahGeechee.tv and Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio with live in person events.
Girlfriends are Mahogany Blessings to the Gullah/Geechee Nation
As my appreciation for mahogany grew, I never thought that it would cause me to truly find its meaning amongst the trees in the Gullah/Geechee Nation as I sat in a circle of women that would strengthen one another as the ancestors encircled us in GODly energy that protected us. Mahogany was what brought us together to honor the healing energy that enters the souls of those that are truly open to it as they traverse Sea Island soil with those of us whose roots are inextricably tied to this land. That healing energy brought about love, laughter, clarity and “Girlfriendship.”
Tenk GAWD fa de Wilderness!
“How did you feel hen you come out the wilderness?”
The response to this call in the spiritual circles of the Gullah/Geechee Nation could be “singing,” “clapping” “shouting” or “running.” Unfortunately, the world beyond our boarders has literally taken to the latter response as the wildfires increase due to tremendous drought brought on by climate change and then the irresponsibility of human beings which often includes how they threw a lit cigarette or firecracker into an extremely dry area which led to the forest fires that end up burning thousands of acres of land and hundreds of edifices that were built in the areas where the fires spread to. Some fires are caused naturally when lightning strikes and the wildness ignites. Controlled burns are used by forest management professionals to emulate this and to maintain certain vegetation while clearing others annually in order to create a fire break to prevent the spread of fires to areas where humans are. The question becomes “Where are the humans?’ Where are people learning to care for the earth so that the earth will continue to care for us?
Gullah/Geechee & the EPA: Cultural Collaboration & Environmental Restoration
St. Helena Island is one of the many Sea Islands of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and is home to numerous sacred and historical sites that the community wants to protect from sea level rise. The health of the environment is critical given that Gullah/Geechee culture is inextricably tied to the land. Therefore, the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s leaders and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition are encouraging people to come out and be a part of the workshop. They look forward to owners of properties that have such tanks attending so that they can help them get the tanks removed at no cost via this collaboration. In order to obtain more information or to register in advance, email GullGeeCo@aol.com.
Governor of South Carolina Proclaims Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week Statewide
Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina has joined the massive number of coastal elected officials from North Carolina to Northeastern Florida that have proclaimed “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.” SC Representative Shedron Williams proclaimed the celebration in his district in previous years. However, the Governor’s proclamation now makes this a statewide celebration. South Carolina is the first state to join the numerous coastal counties and townships that have proclaimed this celebration within their jurisdictions over the past decade.
Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week 2022
From North Carolina’s Town of Leland down to Jacksonville, Florida, the coastal counties and numerous townships in the Gullah/Geechee Nation have proclaimed July 30-August 6, 2022 as “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.” This marks the 10th anniversary of the Gullah/Geechee Nation wide celebration of authentic Gullah/Geechee culture. The week launches on historic St. Helena Island, SC at the St. Helena Park at Noon on Saturday, July 30th with “Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day
Gullah/Geechees Defeat Bay Point Destructioneer!
“The decision to uphold the Beaufort Board of Zoning Appeals’ original decision to deny the building of an exclusive luxury resort on Bay Point is an outstanding way to conclude not only Oceans Month, but to also conclude a month that has been filled with celebrations of freedom for us in the Gullah/Geechee Nation,” said Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. “We have continued to fight for our sacred ancestral lands and the waters that surround us because these are the places that have allowed our families to be self-sufficient for generations and we want these places to remain safe and healthy for future generations to do the same.”
Celebrating Black Freedom in the Gullah/Geechee Nation
Gullah/Geechee citizens stood for their human right to self-determination over two decades ago and declared their own nation on the very lands where their ancestors had not only previously been enslaved, but where they fought for their freedom through uprisings including the Stono Rebellion and the Denmark Vesey Rebellion and the US Civil War. The concepts of self-determination and self-sufficiency have been consistent in certain Gullah/Geechee families and communities. This is why Gullah/Geechee culture has been able to continue to exist in spite of all the efforts that have been and continue to be done to water down and ultimately assimilate and eliminate the cultural heritage traditions in what is now the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Gullah/Geechee Human and Land Rights: Ending Racism and Injustice to Bring About Environmental and Cultural Equity
Join Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) and Founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition for a joint meeting of the Unitarian Church in Charleston’s Racial Justice Coordinating Team and Green Sanctuary Team.
The evening will allow the audience to engage in an interactive dialogue at the Unitarian Church of Charleston’s Gage Hall on May 20, 2022 at 7 pm centered on “Gullah/Geechee Human and Land Rights: Ending Racism and Injustice to Bring About Environmental and Cultural Equity.”
Celebrate May de Gullah/Geechee Way
De Gullah/Geechee Famlee gwine celebrate who webe tru May. Hunnuh chillun hafa jayn we fa celebrate May de Gullah/Geechee way!