De Conch
March 2017 Edition
Congratulations to Queen Quet! Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation is the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Consultant for Season 2 of WGN’s “Underground.”
Turn to Page 2 for the details of history in the making once again in the Gullah/Geechee Nation!
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Hollywood’s “Underground” in the Gullah/Geechee Nation The WGN hit series, "Underground" found its way to the Gullah/Geechee Nation to shoot Season 2. Not only did they film in Savannah, GA, the story is set on the Sea Islands. Numerous native Gullah/Geechees will appear in the coming season. In order to authenticate the Gullah/Geechee traditions and songs that are depicted, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) was brought in to be the Gullah/Geechee Consultant for the series. Queen Quet who just celebrated her anniversary as an Association of African American Life and History (ASALH) "Living Legend" is a native of historic St. Helena Island, SC. Queen Quet is no stranger to working with Hollywood. She was also the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Consultant for the Hollywood blockbuster, "The Patriot." She has appeared in feature films, TV shows, and numerous documentaries. As much as she enjoys being on camera, she enjoys helping to write and direct. She got a chance to work with all of these aspects of this season's "Underground." Queen Quet was also one of the people that led the establishment of the "National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom." She has spent decades working on Underground Railroad research and has toured with her own production, "The Underground Railroad: A Geechee Girl's Escape." It tells the story of a young woman running from the Sea Islands during the period of chattel enslavement whereas "Underground" has folks coming to the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Many that come to St. Helena Island seek out two of their natives that are known around the world-Queen Quet and American Idol's Candice Glover. They will get a chance to see them on their screens from the comfort of their own homes shortly as these two get to proudly represent their ancestors on "Underground" which premieres on WGN on March 8th. They want everyone to RISE UP and tune in! E gwine be a time! Fa lil taste a wha cumin pun "Underground" wha da Gullah/Geechee, tek a look a disya and see: https://youtu.be/Hvfl2ykocps
Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation enjoyed a star studded night with the award winning cast and crew of WGN’s “Underground” at the Los Angeles premiere. This second season was shot in Savannah, GA in the Gullah/Geechee Nation and throughout the season the viewers will get to see the Sea Islands. They will also see and hear Candice Glover who is also a native of St. Helena Island who is known for winning “American Idol.”
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“Underground� Season 2 is on at 10 pm EST on Wednesday. When the first episode aired on March 8th, 1.1 million viewers tuned in. The fans also caused the show to be at the top of the list of TV shows that were trending on Twitter that night. Hunnuh gwine hafa tune een fa see. Win hunnuh do, Tweet @UndergroundWGN and @GullahGeechee! RISE UP!!!
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Links to Gullah/Geechee Living Culture
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Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters www.officialgullahgeechee.info or www.gullahgeecheenation.com
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Gullah/Geechee Nation on Instagram http://instagram.com/gullahgeechee
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Gullah/Geechee Angel Network www.gullahgeecheeangelnetwork.com
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Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition www.gullahgeechee.net
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Gullah/Geechee TV™ (GGTV) www.youtube.om/AMPTurnItUp
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Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee
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Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association www.gullahgeecheefishingassociation.com
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Gullah/Geechee Nation Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/GullahGeecheeWeBe/
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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/
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
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promotes and participates in the continuation of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, culture, and language.
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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 or Laptop Computer • File Cabinets • 10 Mac Compatible 2T and higher External Drives • Acid free archival boxes and poster covers of all sizes • Library shelves with doors • Apple server • 1 poster holder 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!
MARKET DAYS (10am-3pm, rain or shine)
THEME/CENTER STAGE ACTIVITIES* (activities may change)
March 4th Spring Seed Swap March 18th Small Farmer’s Resources April 1st Spring Seedling Swap / Tunis Campbell Day April 15th Easter Egg Hunt May 6th Military Appreciation Month May 20th Gullah/Geechee Bike & Beauty June 3rd African American Music Appreciation Month June 17th Juneteenth Celebration July SUMMER BREAK (no market days) August 5th Back-to-School Supply Drive August 19th Africa Fashion Week Lowcountry September 2nd Watermelon Contest September 16th Gullah/Geechee Rice Festival October 7th Youth Talent Show October 21st Seafood Festival November 4th Gumbo Cook-off November 18th Small Business Saturday December 2nd Holiday Craft Fair December 16th Holiday Craft Fair December 30th Kwanzaa Celebration *For market details, vendor information and schedule changes/updates visit: www.StHelenaIslandCommunityMarket.com
Reconstruction Era National Monument Celebration Set for March 18 The US National Park Service and local partners will host a community celebration marking the recent establishment of Reconstruction Era National Monument. The dedication event — organized by Beaufort County, Brick Baptist Church, the City of Beaufort, National Park Service, Penn Center, the Town of Port Royal, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Navy — will take place from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Saturday, March 18, 2017 at St. Helena Island’s Penn Center. The event is free and open to the public. The Reconstruction era began during the US Civil War and lasted until the dawn of Jim Crow racial segregation in the 1890s. It remains one of the most complicated and poorly understood periods in American History. During Reconstruction, four million people of African descent newly freed from bondage, sought to integrate themselves into free society and into the educational, economic, and political life of the country. This began in November 1861 in Beaufort County, South Carolina, after Union forces won the Battle at Port Royal Sound. More than 10,000 enslaved Africans remained there when their owners fled the lucrative cotton and rice plantations. The then-Lincoln Administration decided to initiate the “Port Royal Experiment” in Beaufort County to help the formerly enslaved become self-sufficient. The Reconstruction Era National Monument was established as a unit of the National Park Service by Presidential Proclamation on January 12, 2017 in recognition of the role Beaufort County, South Carolina played in shaping the historic period of Reconstruction. The national monument protects and interprets historic buildings and landscapes in three areas within Beaufort County, including the City of Beaufort, St. Helena Island, and the Camp Saxton Site in Port Royal. The Reconstruction Era National Monument is composed of the following historic buildings and landscapes: Darrah Hall and Brick Baptist Church within Penn School National Historic Landmark District on St. Helena Island The Camp Saxton Site, on U.S. Navy property in Port Royal, where some of the first African Americans joined the U.S. Army, and the site where elaborate ceremonies were held on New Year’s Day 1863 to announce and celebrate the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation; and The Old Beaufort Firehouse in historic downtown Beaufort. Penn Center is the only site accessible to the public.
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 ******* “Underground”
on WGN Wednesdays at 10 pm EST and Hulu on Demand The second season of this award winning drama on WGN America was filmed in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Live Tweet @GullahGeechee and @UndergroundWGN with Queen Quet who is the Gullah/Geechee Consultant and with the cast.
Queen Quet will also recap the show on
Facebook live. So, make sure to follow
www.facebook.com/GullahGeecheeWeBe
RISE UP wid we as #UndergroundWGN gwine ta de #GullahGeechee!
Penn Gullah/Geechee TV & Movie Club 4th Thursday at 6 pm Monthly
York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center on historic St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation The new “Penn Gullah/Geechee TV & Movie Club” will launch on Thursday, March 23rd. Each month films about the
Gullah/Geechee Nation, the Reconstruction Era, and Penn School will be shown. Come enjoy the films and en-
gaging discussions. For more information email GullGeeCo@aol.com.
Penn Center Books & Bag Lunch Series 2nd and 4th Wednesday 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Monthly & 4th Wednesday 6:30 pm Monthly
York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center on historic St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation
Admission cost for this series will include bag lunch or supper. For more details and the list of authors, call (843) 838-2432 and speak to the Director of History, Art, and Culture.
MARCH-Women’s Herstory Month & Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month is hosted and coordinated by the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition (www.gullahgeechee.net) every March. Volunteers take De Gullah Root Experience Tour (www.gullahgeechee.us) as part of their orientation to Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture before proceeding to do numerous community service learning and transformational learning activities. Individuals as well as college groups from across the world and civic organizations of various ages participate in assisting with the varying array of activities to assist with the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture and traditions and the preservation of historic institutions and the Sea Island environment. To sign up to participate, email GullGeeCo@aol.com for details.
De Gullah Root Experience Tour will be conducted numerous times during March. Bring hunnuh group or famlee and jayn we! www.gullahgeechee.us or www.gullahgeechee.net March 18 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Page 8 for details.) March 18 from 1 pm to 3 pm-National Reconstruction Monument Community Celebration at Penn Center on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation March 25-Gittin Ready fa de Gullah/Geechee Family Reunion: An Interactive Family Collections Digitization Workshop at St. Helena Branch Library on St. Helena Island, SC This interactive workshop is FREE due to sponsorship by the SC Humanities Council. However, advance registration and a commitment to the entire day is required. To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gittin-ready-fa-degullahgeechee-family-reunion-an-interactive-family-collections-workshop-tickets-30575561327?aff=es2
March 25 at 6 pm “Wilmington on Fire” Pop-Up Theater at Portia Hines Park in Wilmington, NC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation March 31 at 8 pm-All Hail the Queen Aretha Franklin Tribute by GwenYvette & Friends at the New Jade Island Cuisine 3669 Trask Parkway Beaufort, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation
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In support of Gullah/Geechee traditions keeper Captain Legree, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition would like to have our members purchase a table and attend this celebration together. If you are interested, please email GullGeeCo@aol.com.
APRIL April 1 & 2 Tunis Campbell Celebration in Brunswick, GA Email GullGeeCo@aol.com for details. April 1 & 15 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Page 8 for details.) April 1 from 3 pm to 5 pm-History of African Diaspora Art by Dianne Britton Dunham at the York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (843) 838-2432
April 22 Coastal Cultures Conference St. Helena Branch Library, St. Helena Island, SC Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Page 13 for details.) The Coastal Cultures Conference is sponsored annually by the “Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank� and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition (www.gullahgeechee.net). Email GullGeeCo@aol.com or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-cultures-conference-2017-sustaining-cultural-heritage-as-the-climate-changes-tickets-30574381799 for registration information.
April 22 Penn Center 1862 Circle Gala Honoring Captain Legree (See Page 14 for details.) MAY May 6 & 20 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Page 8 for details.) May 6 from 10 am to 1 pm-St. Helena Community Health Fair at Darrah Hall 3 pm to 4:30 pm Adinkra Craft Workshop with Hank Herring at the York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (843) 838-2432
Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition Member Gathering and Fundraiser in New York City www.gullahgeechee.net Gullah Festival at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort, SC, Gullah/Geechee Nation www.theoriginalgullahfestival.org
JULY
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GULLAH/GEECHEE FAMLEE DAY AT MOSQUITO BEACH
Island Breeze Multipurpose Center 2225 Mosquito Beach Road Charleston, SC
Saturday, July 29, 2017 Noon-6 pm Cum fa jayn de Gullah/Geechee Famlee at Island Breeze pun Mosquito Beach fa disya FREE day ob famlee fun! Cum fa lurn bout who webe een disya land ob de Gullah/Geechee! Music, food, presentations, crafts, fun! (843) 452-0190 • GULLGEECO@AOL.COM • (843) 838-1171
WWW.GULLAHGEECHEENATION.COM
JUNE-Black Music Month June 3 & 17 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (See Page 8 for details.) JULY Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week July 29-August 6 Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day at Mosquito Beach July 29 Noon to 6 pm Email GullGeeCo@aol.com AUGUST August 4-6 Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation www.gullahgeechee.info August 5 & 19 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation 9 SEPTEMBER September 1 & 2 Lands End Woodlands River Festival on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation September 2 & 16 from 10 am to 3 pm-St. Helena Community Market at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation September 4-Wadamalaw Island Labor Day Parade and Penn Center Labor Day Celebration on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation (843) 838-2432 Moja Arts Celebration www.mojafestival.com OCTOBER October 21 & 22 Gullah/Geechee Unity in the Community in Savannah, GA www.unityinthecommunity.org Fa mo updates and ting bout wha gwine on falla www.gullahgeecheenation.com or @GullahGeechee.
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 St. Helena or Hunting Island. Throughout each year, they have community celebrations to engage more Gullah/Geechee fishing families in their efforts. The first such engagement for 2017 will be part of the “Coastal Cultures Conference” which will be held at the St. Helena Branch Library on Saturday, April 22nd. They will also co-host a series of "Gullah/Geechee Famlee Days later in the year. 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
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 .
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
© January 2017 Gullah/Geechee Nation © January 2017 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.