Gullah Geechee heritage has deep roots in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, shaped by the descendants of West and Central African people who lived and labored on South Carolina’s Sea Islands and the region’s coastal plains. Generations of relative isolation helped preserve distinct language, foodways, music and craftsmanship that continue to influence the area’s identity today. Here are a few ways to experience Gullah culture during your visit.
From Okra to Orations: A Legacy of Gullah Traditions
Hear the harmonic sounds of The Plantation Singers during The Charleston Festival. This a cappella group performs traditional spirituals that trace back to Gullah roots, filling churches and open-air venues with rhythm and resilience. Or reserve a seat at The Gullah Luncheon at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in Mount Pleasant. Between bites of Southern-style home cooking, storytellers share narratives that reveal the humor, hardship and heart of the Gullah experience.
Taste how Gullah food turns humble ingredients into bold, comforting dishes. Staples like crab rice, okra soup and stewed greens reflect West African culinary traditions adapted to the Lowcountry’s seasonal ingredients. At Workmen’s Cafe on James Island, crispy fried chicken, tender pork chops and sweet cornbread are among the must-try items. A few miles away in downtown Charleston, Hannibal’s Kitchen draws a steady crowd for its shrimp and crab rice, seasoned just right and loaded with fresh blue crab.
Shop for one-of-a-kind keepsakes at the Charleston City Market, where Gullah artisans sell handcrafted goods daily. Be sure to seek out the sweetgrass basket makers. Their baskets—woven from locally harvested bulrush and palmetto leaves—are crafted using techniques that date back hundreds of years. Artist Mary Jackson first drew attention with her baskets at the market in 1980, and today, one of her pieces is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
Experience the annual festivals at cultural centers across the region. On Hilton Head Island, the month-long Gullah Celebration in February highlights visual arts, delicious food traditions and performances. The Original Gullah Festival in Beaufort features African drumming, storytelling, artisan workshops and historical tours across three days each May. Visit the Bluffton Gullah Cultural Heritage Center, where the Twin Bottle Tree uses symbolic glass bottles and vibrant colors to honor spiritual traditions and ward off evil energy.
