GULLAH GEECHEE
Cinema Influence
Musical Influence
Gullah Geechee culture has made its mark on many aspects of modern society. From songs we sing around the campfire, to award winning cinematic and literary productions, the influence of the best preserved African culture in America is one that should be recognized and cherished by generations to come.
Influence of the Gullah Geechee Today
Many people have sung the song "Kum Ba Yah" around a campfire. It is often labeled in songbooks as an African Spiritual. What most who have sung the song do not realize, however, is that it is a Gullah song. The English translation of "Kum Ba Yah" is "Come by Here." Another popular childhood song, "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" has origins in the Gullah Geechee regions of Coastal United States (Cross, 2008).
Many movies and stage productions feature the Gullah Geechee culture. "Daughters of the Dust" is a film that tells the story of a Gullah family moving from the sea islands to the mainland. George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" was also greatly influenced by the Gullah language and culture of the South Carolina sea islands.
Many famous people today have Gullah roots. Michelle Obama is one such person with ancestry that can be traced back to Georgetown, SC. In 2008 Gullah quilters from Georgetown completed a quilt for the First Lady that was displayed in Washington DC. The quilt featured squares that depicted her Gullah roots, as well as squares that highlighted her many accomplishments. Click here to read more about the quilt.
Pat Conroy, author of such works as "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini" has a close relationship with the Gullah Geechee people. His novel "The Water is Wide" is a memoir of his time teaching on a sea island. Click here to learn more about Pat Conroy and his experience with the Gullah Geechee culture. Other literary works influenced by the Gullah Geechee culture include: "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Hurston, and "Low Country" by Anne Siddons.
Famous People
Literary Influence
