Educational Philosophy

Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.

~ John Dewey

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Gullah Traditions

(picture from flickr by designatednaphour)

Few know about it, but there is a culture on the sea coast islands that is struggling to survive -- the Gullah. The Gullahs who live on the islands (including some on Hilton Head) are descendants of West African slaves who worked the rice and cotton fields before they were freed and offered a chance to purchase their land. When whites deserted the coast, the Gullahs lived in isolation for generations, maintaining their African culture longer than other slave descendants in America. They speak a unique language, a blend of 17th and 18th century English and African dialects. They are known for their baskets and their fishing nets. Since the 1950s however, their farms, fishing holes and sea grass fields have disappeared as development has encroached. Cooking, medicines, storytelling and even magical hoodoo, are hard to find.

We visited St. Helens island a few years ago and highly recommend a visit there if you have a chance. We even slept at the Penn School.

If you want to watch a video about fishing nets, click here.

For a video about baskets, click here.

If you'd like to hear some Gullah, click here.

If you'd like to hear some songs and watch some storytelling, click here.

And, if you still want more information listen here or read this link and this link.

Posted by T and H

1 comment:

  1. So sorry!! If I got your address already, I have lost it. I went on vacation before I had the address, and am sending out your imagination kit today. Would you please re-send the addy? Thank you!
    ellars101@aol.com

    ReplyDelete

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