Event highlights living culture of Sea IslandsBy Diane Knich (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Video
Drummers and dancers entertain at the Gullah/Geechee Nation Music & Movement Festival. Watch » 
Melissa Haneline Marquetta L. Goodwine, Queen Quet of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, leads clapping and singing Saturday as she speaks at the Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival at the Charleston Maritime Center. The festival ends today. If you go:What: The Gullah/Geeche Nation International Music & Movement Festival Where: Charleston Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside Drive When: Today, noon to 7 p.m. Cost: $7 adults, $3 children ages 7 to 17 (Some special events have an additional charge.) When many people think about the Gullah/Geechee culture, sweetgrass baskets come to mind, Marquetta Goodwine, Queen Quet of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, says. Or they think that the culture of the people of African descent who have lived for generations on the Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida "is over with," she said. But she wants everyone to know that it's a living culture. "We have been here and we're going nowhere," she said. Goodwine said she was inspired to educate the public and "reunite all of the Gullah/Geechee Diaspora" by holding the Gullah/Geeche Nation International Music & Movement Festival. The weekend event ends today at the Charleston Maritime Center. The Festival, which began Friday, brings together drummers, dancers, artists, storytellers and leaders and elders with words of wisdom. People gathered Saturday afternoon to watch the African drummers and the dance group Nia Productions. Dancers Stacia Council, 14, and Jannay Nesbit, 8, said they love to dance. And Stacia said her involvement with the group also is about sharing her heritage. Artist Leroy Campbell, unveiled "The Gullah Collection," his latest body of work. The works are mixed media collages on canvas including rich acrylics colors, vintage fabrics from quilts, newspapers and uncooked rice. Campbell, who graduated from Burke High School in 1975 but now lives in New York, said when he was young, nobody wanted to be called Gullah/Geechee. "Those were fighting words," he said. But he's grown proud of his heritage, he said. "I'm glad I was raised on corn bread and black-eyed peas." HE Igberohinjade,who came from Sheldon to attend the festival, said it is essential for Gullah/Geechee people to come together. "It's important that we grab each other by the hand," she said. "Our greatness, our strength comes in unity." She also said it's the right time in history for such events. "You're going to see more and more of these gatherings," she said. "If we don't hold on, we'll get beat down." Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com. |
Article tools |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 5 comment(s)
Posted by lyfe1999 on August 25, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We don't mind the Confederate Flag sir, you have the right as an American to do that. We just don't think it should be on the State House which represents all South Carolinians.
Posted by drp7773 on August 25, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
But it is ok to push black history down our kids throats in schools where all tax dollars are spent, and have black history month all over the news, newspapers, schools etc for all SC folks to see without a choice. mmmm interesting sir.
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 25, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
drp, yes it is okay. Our kids learn about the Revolutionary War, the Boston Tea Party, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, the Mayflower, the Civil War, and any other thing that helped shape this great country of ours. And, well, Black history happens to be a part of that. Had they been teaching it along with US History (a fair amount and not just the diluted crap they throw out there) and World History, Black History month (BMH) would not have been needed. However, I believe that they still have the chance to do that now and get rid of BHM and WHM (the "W" is for Women's). Teach, ALL history ALL year! Just one more tool of divisiveness.
Posted by iceman1978 on August 25, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not so sure that the Confederate flag is an issue to the Gullah/Geeche people. They're not the NAACP. They are mostly concerned with the preservation of their culture and way of life. The sweet grass basket makers at the market probably have spent more time with frustration over the younger generation not sharing the same level of enthusiasm for this unique tradition than they have on the location of the Confederate flag. Likewise, the Gullah/Geeche families on the barrier islands who have lived there for generations probably worry more about the disappearance of wetlands and increased development than they do about the flag.
In many ways, those who are concerned about the Confederate flag have more in commong with these people than they realize. Remember the proposal to develop Morris Island? You had some very diverse groups which formed an unlikely alliance on that.
Posted by 512c on August 26, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why complain about lessons in history, even if you don't like what your learning? I welcome lessons.
And, I also want to say that the left is revealing history (usually not revising, but maybe), Our history needs revising, if your saying it should stay the way it was when I was a young white kid in the 70's learning that Columbus was a hero.