Cultural Contributions to South Carolina

1. Cultural Contributions to South Carolina The Gullah Culture Ms. Barrett Houston Elementary

2. What is Gullah? • Culture directly linked to West Africa • “Gullah” comes from Angola in West Africa • Combined European, Native American, African cultures

3. History • Settlers in colonies needed plantation workers • West Africans were skilled farmers • European ships carried West Africans to SC • West African heritage brought to SC

4. Language • Gullah is also a language • Developed by Africans to communicate with tribes, Europeans • Gullah language is similar to Krio • Krio-language spoken in Sierra Leone, West Africa

5. Traditions-Basket Making • One Gullah tradition is creating coiled grass baskets • Sweetgrass and palmetto leaves commonly used • Baskets were used on rice plantations • Art form of sweetgrass basketry continues today

6. Fishnets • Gullah fishermen knitted their own fishing nets • Natural materials were used to make the nets • Art of fishnet making came from West Africa

7. Storytelling • Gullah folklore was shared through storytelling • Folktales often included animals as main characters • Stories always included a lesson to be learned

8. Songs • Music is very important to the Gullah culture • Stories were often told through songs • Gullah is found in religious practices • Gullah songs were an expression of slave experiences

9. Summary • Gullah culture strongly impacted South Carolina • Gullah language and traditions still present in South Carolina • Gullah culture most prevalent in Low Country of South Carolina

10. Credits • All photos are courtesy of the Library of Congress • And the American Memory Collection • Home Page