8th Annual Native Islander Gullah Celebration

February 1st - 29th 2004

Descendants of West Africa immigrated on the islands, like Hilton Head, of the Lowcountry in South Carolina and Georgia. Now they are working hard to preserve their way of life, the Gullah culture. The Community Affairs Associations explains that Gullah is more than a language and name, but also an essence of spirituality and tradition. Native Gullah people keep the traditions of their ancestors through sewing sweet grass baskets, weaving casting nets, and their tasteful Gullah foods.

Community Affairs Associations Inc. will host the 2005 will host the 8th Annual Native Islander Gullah Festival showcasing African art, tools, crafts, history, and foods by the Gullah people. There will be art exhibits, Gospel celebrations, The Gullah economic Summit, Food Expo, National Freedom Day Celebration, and De Gullah Playhouse One-Acts. Hilton Head is a "don't miss" festive spot during this time. You will enjoy celebrating the Gullah culture.

For additional information regarding events, group ticket sales, or hotel and travel information, contact the Gullah Celebration Hotline: (877) 650-0676 or locally: (843) 682-3742.

Community Affairs Association, Inc.
website: gullahcelebration.com 21 Cardinal Road, Suite 105.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Thomas C. Barnwell, Jr., Chairman
James Mitchell, Jr., President & CEO
Phone: (843) 689-9314

History

At the first festival in 1986, local choirs performed gospel music and spirituals; there was also jazz, storytelling, symphonic music, arts and crafts, and a troupe from Charleston presented a portion of Porgy and Bess. However, the audience was disappointingly small, first festival ended in the red. Although the first few festivals were plagued with financial difficulties, Rosalie Pazant, the festival's founder, persevered, finally winning the support of the former mayor, city and county governments. It took ten years for the Festival to pay its debt to the city. But, each year the Gullah Festival has grown bigger and better, until in 1999, it hosted more than 70,000 people from 32 states and many countries. Storytelling, African dance and drumming, and music ranging from gospel to jazz is performed. Other attractions include displays of fine arts and crafts, cultural workshops, and fashion shows. Boat-building, basket-weaving, and quilting are demonstrated. There is a Black Inventions Museum, and each year the festival recognizes a "Gullah Family of the Year." Recently a Gullah Teen Pageant and a Gullah Golf Tournament were added. A wide variety of ethnic foods, including low-country cuisine, are available. A worship service is given Sunday morning on the waterfront, and a marketplace in Port Royal once used in the slave trade is rededicated in memory of Gullah predecessors. The festival is the recipient of sixteen awards, including ones from both houses of the South Carolina State legislature and the U.S. Congress.