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Row Upon Row: Sea Grass Baskets of the S.C. Lowcountry

During the past century, as the economic suitability of some traditional crafts have declined, cultural tenacity has encouraged others to survive. A leading example is the production of sea grass, or sweetgrass, baskets along the coast of South Carolina. With roots in West Africa, this African American tradition followed the contours of rice culture, which spread along tidal rivers as far as North Carolina and northern Florida. Today, sweetgrass basketry is concentrated in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and in isolated pockets around Charleston County. During the past century, as the economic suitability of some traditional crafts have declined, cultural tenacity has encouraged others to survive. A leading example is the production of sea grass, or sweetgrass, baskets along the coast of South Carolina. With roots in West Africa, this African American tradition followed the contours of rice culture, which spread along tidal rivers as far as North Carolina and northern Florida. Today, sweetgrass basketry is concentrated in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and in isolated pockets around Charleston County.

Content Type
 Gullah Baskets | Digital Traditions 1

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Gullah Baskets | Digital Traditions
Episode 1
Excerpt from the 1971 SCETV production "Gullah Baskets." This short documentary was narrated by James Clyburn and discusses the properties of sweetgrass, gathering techniques, and environmental...
 Mazie Brown  | Digital Traditions 5

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Mazie Brown | Digital Traditions
Episode 5
Mazie Brown describes a typical day at her basket stand along Highway 17. Brown talks of her history as a basketmaker and of her mother who also had a stand. From the "Row Upon Row" documentary...
 More from "Gullah Baskets" | Digital Traditions 3

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More from "Gullah Baskets" | Digital Traditions
Episode 3
Another excerpt from "Gullah Baskets." Milby Burton, director of the Charleston Museum in 1971, discusses the connections between Africa and South Carolina basket weavers.
 Charleston Basketweavers | Digital Traditions 4

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Charleston Basketweavers | Digital Traditions
Episode 4
Excerpt from 1986 USC News production. Dale Rosengarten discusses sweetgrass basketry as a part of the Charleston tourist trade, as well as a one of the most highly recognized African-American art...