Gullah Heritage Days Celebration
November 8-11, 2012
I attended a Gullah Festival on St. Helena Island on November 8 and 9th. I was so moved by the pride in culture and history I was exposed to. The Penn Center, which is where the festival is held, has a rich history of educating African Americans. The Center was established prior to Emancipation in 1852. There is a black and white photo gallery depicting the timeline of the development of the Center.
I had the privilege of meeting with Robert Morris, the artist who created pieces that accompany the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Doug Blackmon, Slavery by Another Name. There was an exhibit at the Telfair Center, which included Doug Blackmon as well as Sam Pollard , filmmaker of the documentary Slavery by Another Name. I discussed the pieces with Robert who explained the authenticity of slave remnants incorporated into his paintings. One of the most intense paintings included slave shackles that came from a slave ship. Robert lives here, on Tybee Island, and has accumulated his remnants from the Savannah River. Recently he discovered Native American pottery that dated back possibly 1000 years.
My favorite piece is Now Close the Window and Hush All the Fields. Robert explained his intention behind it. I added my perspective, which was the window view was on "this" side of Abraham Lincoln. I saw the enslaved people's experience as being on this side of reality, while they look on President Lincoln and his reality, which differed greatly. The could see through to him but he was in his own world and possibly didn't even know the enslaved were looking to him for understanding, possibly with confusion. (As an explanation, Lincoln's sole political reason for Emancipation was to save the Union, not equal rights for blacks.)
I also spoke with whom I call a wise Gullah woman. She declined being photographed or recorded speaking the Gullah language. Her name is Bunny from Pawley, the Gullah O'oman (o'oman being woman in Gullah). She explained some of the beliefs and traditions of her people, including hags and haints, which I believe in to some extent! Although the Gullah people converted to Christianity, they still retain many of their spiritual beliefs and practices from their native Africa. The Gullah O’oman Shop is her store, which is on Pawley's Island, S.C.
I knew much of what was being presented thanks to Dr. Benjamin and Dr. Mason whose classes I attend. However, there was much I learned from the experience.
The following is a link to Robert Morris's interview describing his work.
My favorite piece is Now Close the Window and Hush All the Fields. Robert explained his intention behind it. I added my perspective, which was the window view was on "this" side of Abraham Lincoln. I saw the enslaved people's experience as being on this side of reality, while they look on President Lincoln and his reality, which differed greatly. The could see through to him but he was in his own world and possibly didn't even know the enslaved were looking to him for understanding, possibly with confusion. (As an explanation, Lincoln's sole political reason for Emancipation was to save the Union, not equal rights for blacks.)
I also spoke with whom I call a wise Gullah woman. She declined being photographed or recorded speaking the Gullah language. Her name is Bunny from Pawley, the Gullah O'oman (o'oman being woman in Gullah). She explained some of the beliefs and traditions of her people, including hags and haints, which I believe in to some extent! Although the Gullah people converted to Christianity, they still retain many of their spiritual beliefs and practices from their native Africa. The Gullah O’oman Shop is her store, which is on Pawley's Island, S.C.
I knew much of what was being presented thanks to Dr. Benjamin and Dr. Mason whose classes I attend. However, there was much I learned from the experience.
The following is a link to Robert Morris's interview describing his work.
I also have a blog for my class African American Studies class. I have included the link here to view pictures from the Festival.
PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!
PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!