My Great Endeavors : Gullah Geechee People

Introduction

They have been in the United States for centuries. The history and culture of these people are very rich. They have the their own medicine, music, language, religion, and cuisine. There is a Gullah/Geechee nation. There was a show called Gullah Gullah Island on Nickelodeon. It was based on the Gullah Geechee people.

History

They are the descendants of enslaved Niger-Congo people. Some of them mixed with (native) Americans. The people that lived on South Carolina islands were called Gullah. The people that lived on Georgia islands were called Geechee. They grew rice, indigo, and cotton on the plantation. Some of the Africans brought to South Carolina and Georgia were from rice growing civilizations. Queen Quet is the first queen of the Gullah/Geechee people. She is amazing!!!!! My mom met her.

Culture

They have a spectacular culture!!!!! Their's comes from a mixture of West African cultures. They were influenced by (native) Americans and Europeans. New art forms and music was created by them. A new language was created by them.

Medicine

A lot of herbs was used to heal. Families have healing traditions that are passed down originally. Here are some examples of remedies: penny used to cure ringworm, spider webs were used to treat cuts, sardines reduced swelling, rainwater and urine cures pink eye. Food was used to heal as well. Onions cause fever to dissipate, rock candy and alcohol killed colds, garlic lowers blood pressure, and pork placed on a wound takes poison out of the body,

Music

They sung spirituals and still do. Certain messages were given out, that only they could understand. Church service involved a lot music and singing. There is a festival on island that celebrates their culture. They are preserving their the ways of their ancestors. I bought a Gullah Geechee cd and I enjoyed it.

Language

It is a mixture of Niger-Congo languages and english. There are many African worlds it, but most of vocabulary is English. It is spoken by over 5,000 people. The New Testament was translated into Gullah in 2005. There is a Gullah/Geechee language class @ Harvard.

Religion

The Gullah Geechee had their own religions; but they became Christians because they were owned by Protestants. Remember, they are a mixture of Niger-Congo tribes with some (native) American admixture. Each tribe had it's own traditional religion. Some may have been Muslims. So, after they became Christian they mixed some of their older practices in it.

They worshiped the Yahweh/Yeshua in praise houses. They would sing and dance and it involved a lot of hand clapping. Deacons were in charge of the praise houses and women prayed. The praise house was next to the church. Praise houses were also courts. If someone have a dispute they would go there and it would be settled. Praise houses stop being used 50 years ago.

Ring shouts were common in the praise houses. The worshipers would move in circle clapping their hands and stomping their feet. But surprisingly they didn't shout much. The Gullah Geechee weren't the only people that did the ring shout. It was also done in the West Indies; which means it was a common custom among certain African tribes. Some scholars believe the ring shout is based on Muslims going around the Kaaba.

Low Country Hoodoo is the Gullah Geechee form of Hoodoo. It is magic and medicine. They would paint certain parts of buildings haint blue to ward off negative spirits. Boo hags drain people life force while they are sleeping. They are similar to a succubus and incubus. Haint Blue kept them away. Sometimes spirits of the deceased harness the living. To keep them away you can carry a sack of gunpowder and sulphur. You can kill them with a blue bottle tree. Mojo bags were used for various reasons and so were other amulets/talismans.

Cuisine

It was a mixture of West African, (native) American, and European cuisines. "Peanuts, okra, rice, yams, peas, hot peppers, sesame seeds, sorghum, and watermelons" were brought to the states by them from Africa. They ate a lot of seafood too. They slow cooked their food.

Nation

It is made of parts of Carolinas, Florida, and some islands. The nation was created in 2000. Queen Quet was elected to rule the nation. The constitution of this nation is 21 pages long. Queen Quet is a polymath. I'm so happy she is the queen of Gullah/Geechee nation.

Gullah Gullah Island

This show came on Nickelodeon when I was a kid. I watched it all the time. It is based the Gullah/Geechee people. It was an amazing show. It focused on a family. They consisted of: mother, father, son, daughter, and a giant yellow frog named Binyah Binyah.

Conclusion

The Gullah/Geechee people are amazing!!!!! They have a long and rich history and culture. They have sweet medicine, music, cuisine, and language. I love Hoodoo, because it was created by my ancestors. The Gullah/Geechee nation been around for 21 years. Gullah Gullah Island was a sweet show.