Hilton Head Island's Native Islander Gullah Celebration
Experience the Culture..Cherish the Legacy
Now in its seventh year, the Native Islander Gullah
Celebration takes center stage on Hilton Head Island February 2003.
Hosted by the Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association,
Inc., the month-long Celebration showcases the rich cultural heritage of
the Gullah people and their history on Hilton Head Island.
For centuries the imprint of West African
traditions was carried over the Atlantic by each of the thousand of
Africans who were brought to the New World to become enslaved on
plantations. The Africans found ways to preserve tradition in every
aspect of their new lives, which also allowed for the creation and
preservation of a new language. A Creole blend of European and African
tongues that became known as Gullah. Although few craft traditions have
survived in daily practice, they are emblematic of a vibrant legacy.
There is the rare shrimper who weaves cast nets. African "long-strip"
quilting continues, as does the sensuous sewing of sweet grass baskets.
This years' events include a Freedom Day
Celebration, three Gospel concerts; and de Gullah Playhouse" (one-act
plays). The popular Arts, Crafts and Food Expo is a two-day event that
features the crafts, foods and music of the Gullah people; and cultural
historical lectures, a Celebration of African American authors and the
month long art exhibit, de Aarts Ob We People, take visitors through a
Gullah cultural journey; a unique experience not to be missed. Also
featured, in support of the hosting organization's mission, is the
Business & Economic Summit that addresses the State of the Union of
African Americans in the Sea Islands.
The best weekends for out-of-state visitors to
travel to Hilton Island and attend Gullah Celebration events are February
7th and February 14th. These weekends are planned with the most cultural
activities. Come to Hilton Head Island in February, experience the
distinctive culture of the sea island and cherish the wonderful legacy
provided for those from an era long ago.
Established in 1996, the Native Islander Gullah
Celebration is an annual event held during the month of February. In its
inception, the Gullah Celebration was designed to 1) create economic
development opportunities for minority business owners, 2) develop the
cultural tourism market and 3) increase tourism in February, historically
the slowest month of the year. While continued growth and expansion is
strategically planned each year, it is important to note here that these
objectives are met.
The Gullah Celebration showcases rich cultural
heritage of the Gullah people and their history on Hilton Head Island.
Gullah Celebration programming includes a variety of events designed to
attract local residents, regional, national and international travelers.
The events held the second and third weekends include cultural events in
order to attract out of state travelers during the peak travel times in
the month of February. Specifically, Valentines Day, President's Day and
Winter School breaks.
For three years the Gullah celebration has been
recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top twenty
events in the Southeast. Each event during the Gullah Celebration
incorporates a facet of the Gullah culture. Visitors have an opportunity
to experience the food and music, receive, first hand, historical
information and take a journey through the culture via the visual arts.
The Gullah Barbecue, sponsored by the Self Family Arts Center offers
traditional barbecue favorites and cultural entertainment. The art,
crafts and food expo offers cultural demonstrations, i.e., sweet grass
basket sewing, indigo dying and fishnet weaving. Vendors sell traditional
Gullah and African crafts as well as an offering of all the traditional
Gullah foods. Entertainment includes storytellers, the Gullah Stomp and
Shout, African Dance, Gospel music, popular R&B and jazz. Gospel concerts
feature traditional gospel music, Negro Spirituals and highlight the
history of music as it pertains to its development amongst the Gullah
people. Panelists gathered for the cultural symposium share the history
of the Gullah culture as it relates to their specific discipline or
life-style experiences.
For additional information on group rates, special
accommodations and event packages, call the Gullah Celebration hotline:
1-877-650-0676 or visit the web site at
www.gullahcelebration.com
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