Tag Archives: Black history

Gullah Kinfolk

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The Gullah Kinfolk are the most exciting musical sensation ever to come from the South Carolina Sea Islands.

Virtually all related, the closeness of this dynamic group is apparent from the first song. Audiences nationwide have been mesmerized by their unique style, memorable performances and uplifting renditions of their historical repertoire.

 

The group was formed by Anita Singleton-Prather, best known for her beloved character Aunt Pearlie Sue, in an effort to preserve Gullah history and the Gullah dialect. A performance by the Gullah Kinfolk is a rare treat that will be remembered for a lifetime.

The Gullah Kinfolk have headlined at dozens of music and cultural festivals. Performances can be customized for any occasion or function, with as few or as many performers as you would like.

 

Veronica Gerald

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Veronica Davis Gerald is a professor of English at Coastal Carolina University, a Gullah Geechee Heritage Commissioner and author of The Ultimate Gullah Cookbook.

Lectures, performances and work shops are designed to educate along with entertaining storytelling.  They can be used in church programs and celebrations, class rooms, community programs, workshops, conferences, festivals, family reuinions, meetings,  or any event in need of  an education component. Presentations can be adapted  for age groups from elementary to graduate and beyond. 

Popular selected topics:

  • “Miss Addie Mae Goback.”  Fictional, one-woman performance with 80-year old woman telling stories from the lives of Gullah slaves and their children
  • “Hants, Hags and Plat-Eyes.” A haunting blend of stories, supernatural lore and facts from the South Carolina Lowcountry
  • “When Rice was King.” Traces the origins and history of rice cultivation in America and its impact on the Gullah people
  • “Still Tongue Mek ah Wise Head.”  Discusses Gullah women as history/culture bearers and story tellers
  • “All Shut-eye ain’ Sleep.”  Burial customs and homegoing practices in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
  • “All Other Ground is Sinking Sand.”  The role of religion and spirituality in African American Culture
  • “Gullah een da White House?”  Michele Obama and her roots in Gullah culture

 

Veronica was born in Mullins, South Carolina, a descendant of African slaves brought to the Brookgreen and Longwood Rice Plantations in Georgetown County from the grain coast of West Africa in the 17th century.  She was educated in the Horry County School system, at the University of Maryland, Atlanta and Emory Universities.  She has received numerous awards including the SC Governors Award in Humanities, the Distinguished Teaching Award at Coastal Carolina University and The Jean Laney Folk Heritage Award.  She is considered a foremost scholar  on Gullah history, culture and the SC Lowcountry.  She is a much sought after lecturer and scholar appearing on C-Span, CNN and National Geographic.