Home | Gullah Geechee

Overview

The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of West Africans forced into slavery and brought to the United States from West Africa in the 19th Century. Their culture, language and traditions represent a marriage of West African culture and South Eastern United States culture.

Influence

Gullah Geechee culture continues to influence many aspects of modern American culture. From songs that many recognize but are unaware of their Gullah origins, to movies and literary works, the impact of the Gullah Geechee culture is all around us.

The passionate nature of the Gullah Geechee people is embodied in the traditions of language, music, dance and art. From unique qualities of strip quilts, to the eclectic African sounds of the language and songs, few cultural expressions are more beautiful than that of the Gullah Geechee people.

Multimedia

NC Essential Standards

Social Studies

3.C.1
Understand how diverse cultures are visible in local and regional communities.

3.C.1.1

Compare languages, foods and traditions of various groups living in local and regional communities

NC Standards

Mus tek cyear a de root fa heal de tree

-Gullah Proverb