De Conch
Fuss Paat Ob 2018 Edition
www.GullahGeecheeNation.com
Peace and Tenki Tenki! WE gladdee hunnuh chillun stand wid we fa stop de seismic gun use and oil drilling exploration een de Gullah/Geechee Nation. We are very proud to continue to stand united with numerous people along the Atlantic Coast against this issue. as you can see in our cover photo from the South Carolina State House where we protested. Because of the stand that we took, we could enjoy World Water Day along our coast in peace and harmony as we pray for another victory over this matter. On World Water Day we took the time to take water samples as part of our partnership with EarthEcho International. We are working to insure that we have high quality water which also contributes to the safety of our seafood and to our human health. Without the pristine waters, healthy land and strong Gullah/Geechee people, we don’t have the Gullah/Geechee Nation. So, we are grateful to all those that came in for “Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month” and the 2nd “Black Folks Land Legacy Conference” to support us. The engagement along the coastline will continue with the “Coastal Cultures Conference” and the “Realities of Reconstruction Conference.” For those that will not have the means or opportunity to come to the Gullah/Geechee Nation to provide support, I pray that you will meet me at one of the stops on the Gullah/Geechee Save the Sea Islands World Tour. There are still opportunities to sponsor events in your city and country. Those that have continued to support our “Gullah/Geechee Land Legacy Fund” have made all of this work possible. The tour will raise more awareness and funds for us to keep this land that we are fighting for and to keep Gullah/Geechee culture alive on it. We also welcome all the new members of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition! Our twenty one years of work has not been in vain and we have a great deal more work to do as we have a tide of things flowing in and attacking our culture from both the mainland and the shorelines bringing negative human impacts and environmental impacts. Your support is a tremendous help to our entire community. We pray that you will be here for our annual international festival to celebrate all of our successes and our continuing cultural legacy. Cum fa jay we at de Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ (www.GullahGeechee.info). In the midst of planning for the coming events, we are also upgrading De Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive and Gullah/Geechee TV. We have been able to make tremendous strides due to the generous support from Ms. Wygant and the Oak Foundation as well as all of our contributors that made financial and equipment donations to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition and the Gullah/ Geechee Angel Network. Wid all disya dun dun, e plennee mo fa do. Keep um gwine on! Peace,
Queen Quet
www.gofundme.com/gullahgeechee-land-legacy-fund
GULLAH/GEECHEE GOLD SOULS CAMPAIGN
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is the premiere organization on the protection and continuation of the Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition: •
advocates for the protection of the human and land rights of Gullah/Geechee
•
promotes and participates in the continuation of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, culture, and language.
• •
works toward Sea Island land re-acquisition and maintenance. celebrates Gullah/Geechee culture through artistic and educational means electronically and via "grassroots scholarship."
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has successfully carried out this mission since 1996. During which time, they developed the ONLY archive in the world which is TOTALLY dedicated to Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. The Gullah/Geechee Alekbulan Archive is being upgraded in order to continue to provide access to artifacts, images, documents, books, films, and recordings to future generations of Gullah/Geechees and global researchers. The Coalition host hundreds of students and professional writers each year and it also supports native Gullah/Geechee speakers and presenters traveling to other parts of the world to make sure that accurate presentations on our culture are done in a varied array of venues. We are calling on all supporters of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition to become dues paying members and to contribute to the “Gullah/Geechee Gold Souls Campaign.” The funds will assist with the completion of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Center. Please use the form at the end of this ezine or go to http://fnd.us/c/07Wl6 in order to financially contribute to the fundraising efforts that are currently under way in order to finalize the second phase of archival digitization and artifact preservation. The “wish list:” • New Apple Mac Pro desktop computer • 10 Mac compatible 2T and higher external drives • Acid free archival boxes and poster covers of all sizes • CD/DVD Duplicator For details on how you can host a fundraising event, contribute in any or in all of these ways, please email GullGeeCo@aol.com. Disya bout geeing frum de soul fa mek sho de richness stay een wi black gold!
Wha Gwine On Every Monday at 7 pm EST Tune in to “Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio!” Disya da we sho! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee ******* March-Women’s Herstory Month and Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month Please bring your group to the Gullah/Geechee Nation to help with community service projects during the month of March. For details email GullGeeCo@aol.com. St. Helena Island Community Market Reopens
The St. Helena Island Community Market operates on the 1st Saturday of each month from 10 am to 3 pm at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.StHelenaIslandCommunityMarket.com
Cum fa Jayn we fa de 6th Annual Coastal Cultures Conference! “Emergency Preparation & Cultural Continuation�
St. Helena Branch Library 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr Road Saint Helena Island, SC 29920 Gullah/Geechee Nation
Saturday, April 14, 2018 11:30 am-4 pm The Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank invites you to bring out the family for a day of interactive environmental engagement to protect cultural heritage. Advance registration is required and the event is FREE. Email GullGeeCo@aol.com or call (843) 255-6485. Hunnuh gwine yeddi fa keep we culcha pun de islands een de sea!
April April 3-May 6 “WOKE: Rattling Bones, Conversations, Sacred Rites and Holy Places” exhibit curated by the Gullah Society will be on display at the City Gallery in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. April 7-“Gullah/Geechee Gold Rice Festival” at the St. Helena Island Community Market on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Git hunch passes riycha fa FREE and jayn we: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gullahgeechee-gold-rice-festival-tickets-33639130545 April 14 11 am to 4 pm 6th Annual Coastal Cultures Conference: Emergency Preparedness and Cultural Continuation in Coastal Communities at the Hunting Island Nature Center on Hunting Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-cultures-conference-2018-emergency-preparedness-andcultural-continuation-in-coastal-tickets-41538499771 May May 5-Gullah/Geechee Bike & Beauty at the St. Helena Island Community Market on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Git hunnuh pass riycha and register hunnuh bike clu b fa FREE: https://w w w.eventbrite.co m/e/gu l la hgeechee-b ike-bea uty-2018tickets-41681986945
May 25 on Gullah Lowcountry Dinner Fundraiser for the Harriet Tubman Monument at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.harriettubmanmonument.com
JUNE-Black Music Month June 1-3 “Realities of Reconstruction Conference” at Mather Museum & Interpretive Center Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/realities-of-reconstruction-conference-tickets-41538624143 June 9 Juneteeth at the Jepson in Savannah, GA, Gullah/Geechee Nation JULY Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week July 27-August 5 July 28 Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day at American Beach on Amelia Island, FL, Gullah/Geechee Nation AUGUST August 3-5 Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.gullahgeechee.info SEPTEMBER August 31 & September 1 Lands End Woodlands River Festival on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation September 3 Wadamalaw Island Labor Day Parade Moja Arts Celebration www.mojafestival.com DECEMBER Gullah Night Pun de Town at the St. Helena Branch Library December 21 & 22 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Anniversary Fa mo updates and ting bout wha gwine on falla www.gullahgeecheenation.com or @GullahGeechee. Keep up with events on a weekly basis by following @GullahGeechee and
www.GullahGeecheeNation.com.
Links to Gullah/Geechee Living Culture
1.
Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters www.officialgullahgeechee.info or www.gullahgeecheenation.com
2.
Gullah/Geechee Nation on Instagram http://instagram.com/gullahgeechee
3.
Gullah/Geechee Angel Network www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com
4.
Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition www.gullahgeechee.net
5.
Gullah/Geechee TV™ (GGTV) www.youtube.om/AMPTurnItUp
6.
Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee
7.
Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association www.gullahgeecheefishingassociation.com
8.
Gullah/Geechee Nation Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/GullahGeecheeWeBe/
9.
Gullah/Geechee Folks on Twitter www.twitter.com/gullahgeechee
10. Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee www.QueenQuet.com 11. Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ www.gullahgeechee.info 12. Gullah/Geechee Doula Association http://www.gullahgeecheedoula.com/ 13. Gullah/Geechee Nation on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/gullahgeechee/ 14. Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Committee of NE FL www.facebook.com/neflaggcommittee
The Realities of Reconstruction Conference
Mather Museum & Interpretive Center 921 Ribaut Rd Bldg 1 Beaufort, SC Gullah/Geechee Nation
June 1-3, 2018
GullGeeCo@aol.com • (843) 838-1171 www.GullahGeecheeNation.com
Hep Mo Angel fa Fly! Support De Gullah/Geechee Angel Network! The mission of the official 501(c)3, non-profit of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network is To preserve, protect and promote the cultural heritage of the Gullah/Geechee People who have lived in the southeastern portion of the United States of America from North Carolina to Jacksonville Florida 30 miles inland (known as the "Low Country") for over 300 years. To connect all people, not just in the 50 states, but internationally throughout the Diaspora, Europe, Caribbean and Africa. Goals and Objectives are achieved by the implementation of the following seven (7) point program: The Performing Arts: Musical plays, dramatizations, poetry, storytelling, enactments and workshops Arts and Crafts: Workshops in the production and displaying of traditional Gullah/Geechee cultural items. Demonstrative workshops that encourage the development of functional skills and forms of expression to potentially showcase and stimulate direct participation in the growing ethnic tourism industry, festivals and cultural events. Educational: The establishment of Cultural Learning Centers designed to foster motivation, achievement and cultural enrichment. Historical/Research excursions from the tip of North Carolina (Cape Fear) to the outlining areas of Jacksonville, Florida. Scholarships and Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award programs and events recognizing those persons who have given selflessly of themselves, and have done considerable work for the benefits of their particular community as it relates to cultural preservation. Awarding Scholarships to youth who exhibit talent, and are oriented toward developing skills which foster Gullah/Geechee Culture. The Internet and The Media: Networking with organizations, institutions and groups which focus on Gullah/ Geechee Culture. Consistently present positive role models and activities to the low country in particular, and to in the Diaspora in general. Production, Preservation and Documentation: Production and archiving of Gullah/Geechee video and audio recordings, books, symbols and banners. Radio, television and computer production programming. Health and Nutrition Awareness: Forums and symposiums which explore lifestyles, food staples, food cultivation and preparation of Gullah/Geechee cuisine, as well as developing holistic programs to promote well being. Yenna House widout a doubt! The Gullah/Geechee International Camp Meeting Center & Yenna House will host a number of activities and people from around the world and educate people on the living traditions of that exist throughout the Gullah/ Geechee Nation. The next major fundraiser for the project will be the Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ www.gullahgeechee.info. For more details on fundraisers, tours, assisting with the project, or contributing, call (843) 572-6788 or go to www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com .
Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association Holdin pun de Fishin Tradition!
The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association (www.gullahgeecheefishing.net) was founded in Beaufort County, SC on March 25, 2010 by Queen Quet, Ricky Wright, the late Herbert Simmons, Joseph Bradley, and Keith Ellis who are all natives of St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. These founding members were quickly joined by Gullah/Geechee fishermen and women from other parts of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida in the mission to 1) To advocate for the rights of Gullah/Geechee and African American fishermen and fishery workers of the southeast 2) To share traditional fishing methods with the next generation 3) To restore access to the areas and factories needed to sustain the seafood industry in the Gullah/Geechee Nation and southeastern United States The Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association members have actively worked with numerous national and international organizations during their five years in existence. Their work has been featured in profiles done by the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, and CNN International to name a few. During even numbered years, the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association members host, the "Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival" on Hunting Island. Throughout each year, they have community celebrations to engage more Gullah/Geechee fishing families in their efforts. They will co-host a series of "Gullah/Geechee Famlee Days throughout the year and the Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival. For more information, call (843) 838-1171 or email GullGeeCo@aol.com or casting@gullahgeecheefishing.net. De Gullah/Geechee say,
"De wata bring we and de wata gwine tek we bak!� www.gullahgeecheefishing.net
GULL AH/GEECHEE
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
S O
c
H u N a
n t
a
t
o
b
t u
i n r e
g
t e
N
o
C
u o
r
n
r -
d 2
6
a 7
p
y ,
m
2
0
1
8
I s l a n d e n t e r
Take Highway 21 toward Fripp Island and make a left at the foot of the Fripp Island Bridge
Cum fa nyam pun seafood an yeddi bout we! Disya de seafood fess a de Gullah/Geechee! FREE Admission Music & Family Fun Gullah/Geechee Presentations $10 per plate for seafood Call 843-838-1171 or e-mail Gull-
www.gullahgeecheefishing.net
Join the GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION www.gullahgeechee.net I am enclosing my check for _____ $45 for the year of membership _____ $300-999 supporter (Pledge amount can be sent in monthly installments)
Mail this to Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Post Office Box 1207 St. Helena Island SC 29920 Name: _________________________
_____ $1200 for lifetime membership
What island are you closely connected to? ________________________________ How?(Circle one) Family
Business
E-mail address: ________________________________
Address: _____ $___________ toward the Gullah/ Geechee Gold Souls Campaign My check is written to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition. I know that I will receive a newsletter, event announcements, and will be a subscriber to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Roots Listserve and will also receive discounts on Gullah/Geechee products.
______________________________
Where did you receive this? ________________________________
______________________________
What would you like to see done by this organization?
Telephone:
___________________ (Day)
_______________________________ (Eve or Cell)
GULLAH/GEECHEE SEA ISLAND COALITION Post Office Box 1207 St. Helena Island SC 29920
© March 2018 Gullah/Geechee Nation © March 2018 Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition ALL rights for photographs and articles are reserved. Republishing should not be done without consent from the Gullah/Geechee Nation.