As the Gullah/Geechee Nation concludes the commemoration of “Middle Passage Month,” the leaders now prepare for a month of celebration. October marks the second “Gullah/Geechee Heritage Month.” As the Gullah/Geechee proverbs states, “De Wata Bring We,” so what greater way to celebrate the living traditions of the Gullah/Geechee heritage than at a day on the water way in celebration of the sea work traditions that are being continued through the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association.
To that end, the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition will host the 3rd “Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival” at the Hunting Island Nature Center on Saturday, October 25 from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Dinners are $10 per plate. Parking at Hunting Island is $5 per car which allows access to the beach also. The event will go on rain or shine.
This year, the “Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival” highlights include a presentation by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation who is a founding member and officer of the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association; art at the beach with St. Helena Island native and painter Saundra Renee Smith; A Soulful Touch Wellness healing massages and herb teas; Naturally Geechee body products; and numerous Gullah/Geechee fishing tradition demonstrations including crab trap and cast net making and casting. Gullah/Geechee cuisine will be served throughout the day and can be enjoyed during the screening of the film, “Come Hell or High Water” which shows a community in Mississippi that is faced with the same types of issues of displacement as those that the Gullah/Geechee Nation has fought.
The “Gullah/Geechee Seafood Festival” at the Hunting Island Nature Center’s Paradise Pier allows for intergenerational interactive activities all day. So, supporters are encouraged to bring out their fishing and crabbing gear. Walking tours of the beach and marsh way and the interpretive center at the pier will go on throughout the day.
For information, email GullGeeCo@aol.com, call 843-838-1171 or 843-838-7437 or go to www.gullahgeecheenation.com.
