Gullah Culture

Located on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia are communities of people who are the descendants of enslaved Africans.

What is Gullah?

Located on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia are communities of people who are the descendants of enslaved Africans. They have a unique culture that is directly linked to West Africa. In South Carolina, this group of African-Americans and the language they speak are referred to as Gullah (Gul-luh). In Georgia, they are called Geechee (Gee-chee). Native Islanders is another term that refers to the Gullah and Geechee people.

Many historians believe that the word "Gullah" comes from Angola, a West African country from which many of the slaves came. Another idea is that "Gullah" is from the Gola, a tribe found near the border of Liberia and Sierra Leone, West Africa. Although the exact origin of the word is not known, most historians agree that the Gullah people and their language have African roots.

¿Qué es Gullah?

En las Islas del Mar de Carolina del Sur y Georgia hay comunidades de personas que son descendientes de Africanos esclavizados. Tienen una cultura única que está directamente vinculada con África Occidental. En Carolina del Sur, este grupo de Afroamericanos y el idioma que hablan se conoce como Gullah (Gul-luh). En Georgia, se llaman Geechee (Gee-chee). Los Isleños Nativos es otro término que se refiere a los pueblos Gullah y Geechee.

Muchos historiadores creen que la palabra "Gullah” viene de Angola, un país de África Occidental del que vinieron muchos de los esclavos. Otra idea es que "Gullah" es de la Gola, una tribu encontrada cerca de la frontera de Liberia y Sierra Leona, África Occidental. Aunque no se conoce el origen exacto de la palabra, la mayoría de los historiadores están de acuerdo en que el pueblo Gullah y su idioma tienen raíces Africanas.

Songs | Gullah Net

Audio

Music is another important part of life on the Sea Islands. Most of the Gullah music is found in religious practices. Although spirituals had a Christian message, they were heartfelt expressions of...