Disya Who WEBE!
- The Gullah/Geechees came together to declare themselves as a nation on July 2, 2000 with international observers and media present.
The Gullah/Geechee Nation exist from Jacksonville, NC to Jacksonville, FL. It encompasses all of the Sea Islands and thirty to thirty-five miles inland to the St. John’s River. On these islands, people from numerous African ethnic groups linked with indigenous Americans and created the unique Gullah language and traditions from which later came “Geechee.” The Gullah/Geechee people have been considered “a nation within a nation” from the time of chattel enslavement in the United States until they officially became an internationally recognized nation on July 2, 2000. At the time of their declaration as a nation, they confirmed the election of their first “head pun de boddee”-head of state and official spokesperson and queen mother. They elected Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com).
Queen Quet is the first elected Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
The Gullah/Geechee Nation can be reached at
Gullah/Geechee Nation Headquarters
Post Office Box 1109
St. Helena Island SC 29920
(843) 838-1171 or email GullGeeCo@aol.com
The Gullah/Geechee Nation Declaration states:
Mission
To preserve, protect, and promote our history, culture, language, and homeland and to institute and demand official recognition of the governance (minority) rights necessary to accomplish our mission to take care of our community through collective efforts which will provide a healthy environment, care for the well beings of each person, and economic empowerment.
Goals
As we are the authentic original Gullah/Geechee Nation with direct linkage to our ancestral legacy, we stand as custodians of Gullah/Geechee culture and protectors of our human rights. Henceforth, being the ONLY and TRUE keepers of the Gullah/ Geechee cultural legacy, upon us falls the responsibility to promote in an accurate and positive manner all aspects of Gullah/ Geechee culture by emanating knowledge and healing souls. This process is guided through the release of the full story of the foreparents of Gullah and Geechee ancestral souls and the wisdom of our elders.
WE intend to protect the development and construction of Gullah/Geechee culture through the establishment of appropriate institutions and law by the exercise of our human rights. Presently this is being achieved through and during conferences, workshops, festivals, and other celebrations of culture and the continuation of oral traditions, living history, crafts, skills, and reconnection to the soil. The establishment of this Constitution will guarantee the continuation by the exercise of our minority right to self-determination.
WE will link with organizations, other nations, and institutions that are contributing positively to the cultivation of our nation.insuring that those connections are carried out with dignity and honor.
In the tradition of our foreparents we will record in written form OURSTORY as a living testament to our Gullah/Geechee legacy. We will also broaden our continuum through the use of electronic and video and audio means of documentation. Through the exercise of our human rights, we will be the keepers of this material as we accept the responsibilities of defining ourselves and our ancestors.
WE will preserve, maintain, and reclaim ALL elements of our homeland which will FOREVER be our base of existence as we carry out these goals. With these goals in mind, Gullah/Geechee people take formal recognition of their nation and their human right to self-determination within the context of their minority governance rights, and thereby, the Gullah/Geechee Nation Wisdom Circle Council of Elders, by its hands, spirit and soul undertakes the task of creating and ratifying the first Constitution of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
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The Gullah/Geechee Nation Constitution is 21 pages long. It is the document of governing principles by which the Wisdom Circle Council of Elders and the Assembly of Representatives operated as the right and left hands of the Head-of-State.
Official flag of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation educates about the meaning of the national flag of the Gullah/Geechee Nation:
In order to keep up with the latest information regarding the Gullah/Geechee Nation, please subscribe to our Gullah/Geechee Nation blog or click on the link below to access it, subscribe to our monthly international ezine “De Conch” by emailing the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition at GullGeeCo@aol.com, watch Gullah/Geechee TV Nayshun Nyews and subscribe for FREE on YouTube, and tune in to Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio and subscribe for FREE on iTunes. All a disya gwine le hunnuh kno who webe fa tru an fa sho! Ef hunnuh wan buy Gullah/Geechee tings, den gwine ta de Gullah/Geechee Nation’s online store: www.gullahgeechee.ecwid.com or at www.gullahgeechee.biz fa support we!
I am honored to see and hear that Gullah/Geechee is embraced. i am from Johns Island, SC now living in Colorado. My husband is from Mt Pleasant, SC. We have taught our daughter and granddaughter the history and language of OUR PEOPLE
You and your family need to return down here. The conditions for most Black folks is extremely desperate. It takes a Village to raise a Nation.
I’m proud always to be a descendent of Gullah Geechie!!
We are too!
Hi my father side of the family is Hilton majority from Charleston are you familiar with anymore Hilton in the sea islands or Savsnnah? Does the Gullah culture impact statesboro Georgia since the ogeechie river runs through their city and they are outside of savannah ?
Hi my grandfather told me this is where our ancestors are from he is living 77 years old and he was born in Mississippi his last name is Ginn he said that his town was Ginn town after research it no longer exist as it was given to us from his great grandfather which was a slave owner. We all reside in ohio now.
I currently live in Fountain, CO. My parents are from the low country of SC. We have been called Geechies as long as I can remember. I used to be offended but now I am proud!
Gladdee fa yeddi disya Jacque!
Hello Ms. Queen quet. My family and I would like to visit . I need prices for family of four .we looking forward to hearing from you.thank you and may god bless you and your.
Peace Mr. McKnight!
Our tours are listed at http://www.gullahgeechee.us. Email GullGeeCo@aol.com to book one.
Tenki tenki fa de support!
What is the realtionship of the Gullah/Geechee Nation to Hatian people? My grandfather came to this contry by way of hati to Mississippi delta area.
Peace!
We have a consistent history of battles for freedom in which Aiyti played a part. Haitians were a part of the Siege of Savannah. Is that the part of the migration of your grandfather or was he sold into enslavement at the Forks in the Road in MS?
My great grandfather is Haitian he left the Carolina’s and moved to statesboro Georgia . I was always raised in new York that I was part Haitian. In 2004 i was on TV in new York discussing the Savannah Haitian project and my Haitian ancestry . A lot of people in low country of Georgia and Carolina don’t realize they might have some form of Haitian ancestry too.
Hello! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and finally
got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout
out from Houston Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the excellent work!
Tenki Tenki!
Greetings! My grandfather is from Williamsburg, SC and my family’s last name is Mayes. As I grew up my family called me “Geechee Mama” as a nickname. Do you all have any info on my family by way of last name and is that part of Carolina included in the GG Nation? My great aunts and uncles speak just like you all.
Peace!
We are not familiar with the last name “Mayes.” Also, Williamsburg, SC is just past the boarder of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Many of our people migrated to that county though.
Greetings, I know Johnson is a very popular slave name, however is there any history of the Johnsons from Georgia being Gullah?
Peace!
Due to Johnson being the surname of many enslaved Africans, we have numerous Johnson Families throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Imma Brown from JI near Folly any knowledge on their back ground
You may want to do research at the Charleston Library’s South Carolina Room on Calhoun Street to find out more about their background. They may have some materials there.
Awesome
Wonderful sight
Good Morning. I am a student at Coastal Carolina University. My final project for an Advanced Color Theory class is about the specific colors and their meaning in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. I watched the video from this website; it is about the flag. Are there other colors important to this Nation? Specifically in textiles. I will check out your store. Thank you.
Peace Julie!
Indigo and white are healing colors and sacred colors for us. Queen Quet’s official colors are those and purple and gold. There are no other textile colors that are specific for us.
Please make sure that we receive a copy of your project for the Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive.
Peace,
Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
Colours are my specialty… lol its really interesting that we choose those colours… blue is the colour to represent the Spirit of God and white is the purity healing..and the Rabbi specifically used white shawl s with blue stripes just for that purpose.. I love those two colours purple and gold….. have their meanings as well… im very curious to learn the similarities. Between our and the Hebrew definitions of those colours!
My great great grandparents Moses and Catherine Corbin were born into slavery on st. simon’s island. My daughter and I would like to learn more about them and the culture, any suggestions?
Gladdee hunnuh dey ya!
You are in the right place! You should also subscribe to Gullah/Geechee TV http://www.gullahgeechee.tv and to Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee. You can also reach both of these from the top of this page. If you are on Facebook, become a fan of the Gullah/Geechee Nation there and you will know when we are doing events on St. Simon’s Island or in Brunswick, GA again also.
Greetings, is there any history of the Nicholson’s or Bush’s from South Carolina being Gullah?
Peace!
There is a Gullah/Geechee Bush Family in Beaufort County, SC. The other surname is not familiar here.
Hello,
Family stories place my .aternal great grandparents (Sally and Handy Thorne) as being GeeChees from South Carolina. My maternal grandmother spoke as GeeChees do. II’d love to research this GeeChee family lineage. Any suggestions, websites, geneology archives &/or websites would be most helpful and appreciated.
Thank you Queen.
Hunnuh Welcum!
There aren’t any specific genealogical websites to send you to. However, depending on what county and state that they are from, there are other physical archives that you will need to go to. This website is the best link for cultural info that is accurate.
Thank you for this site. I have never met any of my father’s family but they lived on Edisto Island and supposedly we still have property down there. I’m excited to learn more about our history and even visiting my roots in the future. From what I was told they came to Edisto by way of Barbados but I still need to sleuth it out.
Hunnuh welcum!
Make sure to watch videos on our Gullah/Geechee TV channel about Edisto. Also, Queen Quet wrote about Edisto and also about the Barbados connection to the Sea Islands in “Chastun an E Islandts” and the opening of “St. Helena’s Serenity.” You can obtain them at http://www.gullahgeechee.biz.
Greetings to you n yours;
My grand mother is from South Carolina. Her family name is Latta. Does your history of families show that name anywhere?
Peace!
We do not yet have any oral histories or families histories with the name “Latta.”
I am extremely proud that our people, the Gullah “Geechee People” are honoring and promoting the Gullah History to the rest of the World. My Mother and Father spoke the Gullah Geechee language for years, and they taught us the language and the cultural of Gullah Geechee at a very young age. I look forward attending the next Gullah function. I am extremely proud to be from Georgia and most of all I am Proud to be called a Gullah Geechee.
So glad I found you. I’m doing research on Eartha Kitt who was born in the town of North, South Carolina. A little “inland” from most Gullah people, I know however … do you know if she was Gullah or had ties to the Gullah people’s culture? Also, she had a method of cooking rice (not sure what) that literally was perfect and the best I ever ate. I know that the Gullah grew rice and I thought maybe that was the connection. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Sincerely, Vanessa Shaw
Peace!
We would love to take claim for the Kitty Cat, but we do not have any info on her family background that connects to the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s coast. If you find some, let us know.
Peace!
I’m Luq, and I wanted to know if there’s any Gullah history for the surnames Cobb, Gore, Davis & Scott? My family came from the area Andrews/ Trio to Georgetown, and I can remember that my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all spoke the Geechie/Gullah language.
My mother always said her father was a geechee I never understood until now but his last name was Lee from Dothan, Alabama. Would you have any info that may help me trace back to you all
Peace Peggy Lee!
You would need to check into records to see if there is any link to that family back here on this coast. Did they migrate to Alabama? If so, you should be able to find info from birth and death records to lead back to where they were prior to being there.
Hi! My mother’s family is from Beaufort SC. Do you have any record of Irene Roberts or Mabel Black? Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the work you are doing- I cannot express how moved I am. ~Karla Robinson
Peace Ms. Robinson!
We have heard of various people with the last name Black from different parts of Beaufort County, SC. However, we do not have specific records on the family. If your family still owns land here, it is easy enough to trace backwards from county records associated with deeds and via records at the Heritage Library on Hilton Head Island in addition to the records in Columbia at the Department of Archives and History.
Thanks for your support!
Im really feeling like ive found the missing pieces of myself.
My grand father was geechee and now in his passing my family and I wish to honor him and our ancestors by learning and teaching our children their heritage.
I was very moved by the last lecture from Queen Quet about names. And was wondering in my learning, makes me wonder what would my name be? I agree that names help make Destinys.
My children are 3 years old (twins) . I am so eager to teach them who they are but have little inspiration around me besides the internet. Can you help guide me to raise my children as African men? My mother told me about the geeche language growing up but she never knew much. I want to embrace who I am. Who we are. Can you help? Thank you!
Hi my Geechee Sister… I am actually in your shoes… im findings my heratige after my sons have been grown and out of the house… so all I can do is start now with the language and customes.., and teach it to my grand children. And pray yhat as my sons watch me they will follow suit… im studying and practicing the kriole language of africa since I have no one to practice with in person. And I study the vocabulary of our criole since they arent really that different it helps alot… and im looking for more that live here that I can join with to learn the holidays … the foods.. and everything I can…. im waiting for a copy of the I constitution and the flag… dont five up!
Where are you located Carlina?
Many people that do not live here insure that they come and take part in activities here every year especially the Gullah/Geechee Reunion Day: http://www.gullahgeechee.info
Who your children are around the majority of the time will have a huge influence on the types of men that they come to be. Guiding from the distance will not be effective.
Hi my father people go all the way back to charleston and Savannah also Statesboro. Georgia . is the last name Hilton a common name in charleston and the sea islands I remember hearing my grandfather speak with the accent as a kid it was amazing.
Peace Brother Hilton!
Your surname is not a common one on the Sea Islands. However, have you looked into records on the history of Savannah, GA?
Ever since I was a little girl my dad and his older sibling would talk about their mom ( Mary Miles ) who was half Seminole and half Geechee at the family reunions ! She died when my dad n his twin sister were a year old , so my dad never got a chance to learn the culture ! Eventually my older relatives started dying and the family reunions stopped and I have been trying desperately to research/hold on to our family heritage . I would love some advice on how to began !
Peace!
The first way to begin is by reading the Seminole Gullah/Geechee ourstory in “The Legacy of Ibo Landing: Gullah Roots of African American Culture” and in “WEBE Gullah/Geechee: Cultural Capital & Collaboration Anthology.” You can purchase them at http://www.gullahgeechee.biz.
The second thing will be to attend the “Gullah/Geechee Reunion” and dialogue with us there. Go to http://www.gullahgeechee.info for details.
Peace,
Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
I am in some ways the reestablisher of my family to our Gullah roots… it is harder than I thought be cause of all of the negativity about the way we talk and such…thehope is to get them excited again about our story and I believe that visiting the low Country will start that.
Peace!
This is a common story. Just coming here will not help them overcome that either. You need to insure that they engage with someone that can truly educated them on your history and the history of our language. So, De Gullah Root Experience Tour with Queen Quet and Dayclean Journeys Tour with Dr. Amir Jamal Toure would be the best way to help educate them if you come here. Go to http://www.gullahgeechee.net and http://www.gullahgeechee.us.
I love this movement. My grandmother spoke the language very fluently. She was from Georgetown county sc. Last name Timmons. Is that name tied to the Gullah/Geechee history? If so ease tell me how and where I can learn more about it. Also I would love to promote and acknowledge the Gullah/Geechee in my music. Will that be OK?
Peace Brother Hughes!
These is actually a place in SC called “Timmonsville.” You may want to see if your family is connected to it.
As far as the music goes, if it is positive, clean, and uplifting, please share our culture and ourstory in it! Make sure that we get links to it or send us CDs for the Gullah/Geechee Alkebulan Archive. Email GullGeeCo@aol.com. Follow us on social media too.
Tenki tenki fa de support!
Hello!
Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing to preserve Gullah/Geechee culture and educate others about our history! My husband’s people have ties to the Andrews/Trio region of SC. His grandparents were the children of former slaves. The language, culture and cooking was and still is very traditional and centered around family. My mother-in-law, who is 78, grew up speaking the Gullah dialect. The family names were Matthews and Green. The original Gullah landowner in the family was Robert “Pap” Matthews, born in 1889. Much of his land was forceably sold due to pressures from white landowners in the 1950s, but a several acres still belong to his family members. Any information regarding the Gullah presence in Andrews/Trio is appreciated!
Peace Ms. Matthews!
Many people in Andrews speak Geechee which is a dialect of the Gullah language. We do not have any specific records for families in Andrews in our archive just yet. Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh doe!
Is there a Bible – at least the New Testament – in the Gullah language? If there is, how or where could I purchase a copy? berghank@hotmail.com
Peace Hank!
Go to http://www.gullahgeechee.biz.
Any knowledge of Browns near James island folly beach or Lowrys of Johns Island
Yes! That is a BIG family! In fact, you should contact Robert Brown who is a member of the SC General Assembly and see if you are part of the same family.
Ok…great! Abraham is the first name but also related to Seabrooks and Ladsons foward Mr. Robert Brown email or contact info
Those are all large families here.
You need to go to the SC General Assembly website for Mr. Brown’s contact info.
Hi, my maternal grandmother was born in Daufuskie and her maiden name was Bryant. My grandfather was a Ferrebee. Do you have any information on these two families?
Peace!
Check the records at the Heritage Library on Hilton Head.
Tenki tenki fa contact we!
Hi my family descended from Christopher “kit” Way and Sally Christine Bacon 2 slaves from Waystation GA present day Riceboro Ga… Do you know if the way family is gullah/geechee?
Riceboro is definitely in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. You should come to the Gullah/Geechee Reunion that we will host there in August in order to see if you meet some of your family face-to-face. Go to http://www.gullahgeechee.info for more details.
Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh!
I wish There were videos of teaching the creole …
And the proper way to write it… Iv e been practicing
Ser’leone kreole on U-tube And Peace corr. Web site.. List the miner differences sometimes bring question.. most of what I’ve learned was from My grandfather (r.i.p). is There or will There be such a video ?
.
Is there geechee names..not the names given but like elder names…names of the past ?
I’d never heard of the Gullah/Geechee before. What a fantastic Heritage, and wonderful initiative to preserve, document and rejoice in it! Just so positive.
I’m coming to visit where do I stay, please advise?
Peace!
The Gullah/Geechee Nation consist of four states and numerous counties. Where exactly are you headed? We cannot recommend a place to stay without that information.
Hello everyone, I am originally from The Gambia West Africa, home of Kunta Kinteh (my first cousins a decendants of kunta kinteh) James Island, Slave Ports, I have been in Washington DC for the past 26 years, i have been reading a lot about the Geechee culture and I can say its all from The Gambia & Sierra Leon respectively. There are a lot of similarities without a doubt. I plan on visiting South Carolina soon because as a chef here in DC I am actually planning to open a restaurant primarily of African / Geechie heritage. The culture I can say is 85% similar.
Peace Chef!
Our connections with Gambia are documented in the book, “The Legacy of Ibo Landing: Gullah Roots of African American Culture.” Go to http://www.gullahgeechee.biz to obtain a copy.
We wish you well with the business.
Your Honor, Queen Quet,
Counting on your honor, I write to appreciate you for your work as regards the GullahGeechee families. Thank you ever so much for writing some history about the past that will always enlighten the mind of your people. Besides, to remember people from Liberia who are black and belong to the kissi tribe. May the Almighty God protects & directs you as you continuous to study and understand the plight of one who is so desire of entering the GullahGeechee nation.
Many Thanks,
Nelson S. Weh, Jr.
Thank you for your correspondence from Liberia. The Kissi and the Gola peoples of Liberia share many traits of the Geeche Gullah of South Carolina.
Sincerely,
Melvin Turner,
Upland Geeche
Peace Brother Turner!
“Gullah/Geechee” is all that we use. We do not use other adjectives. These were used to divide us and we must stand TOGETHER.
Tenki tenki fa hunnuh support!
Tenki tenki, I support you all the way!
Kushe mi pati. I was wondering about the next name ceremony. Does anyone know of maybe youtube lessons for Gullah/Geechee Creole?
My father was Geechee from Johns Island,SC. He passed away several years ago and I am writing a book about him. I am very proud to be of Geechee decent. How do you say: “What kinds of vegetables do you have?”
Peace Ruth!
We encourage you to contact remaining family on Johns Island.
Also, we refrain from translations since that has led to furthering the exploitation of our culture.
Does anyone know anything about the African American community called Edisto which was located on Old St. Augustine Rd. in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, FL? Assume the first settlers were GG from Edisto, SC?
Peace! I would like to know if the surnames Toney, Slater, Peterson, Cobb, Gore, Davis and Scott are familiar with the Gullah culture? My grandparents came from Sumter, Bishopville, Kingtree, Andrews, Trio and Georgetown, SC.
The name Scott and a few Davises are along the coast. Sumter is not within the Gullah/Geechee Nation, but several of our people migrated there.
Peace!
Hello my father’s family originated from S.C. and he often talked about it. My last name is Drayton and i can only go back as Jack and Susan Drayton. Anyone know any history of them.
Peace!
Check with Drayton Hall and Lowcountry Africana in Charleston, SC to see what records they may have. There are Draytons in that county and in Georgetown County, SC.
Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh bout hunnuh famlee!
My family roots are from Charleston South Carolina with the last name of Williams. My grandmothers name is Adele Williams and she has a very heavy Geechee accent. I want to register as a national memeber. Where should I start?
Peace Brother Gathers!
The Gullah/Geechee Nation is not a “membership” organization. It is a birth rite citizenship. We will pass your info on to the Wisdom Circle Council of Elders.
Tenki tenki hunnuh dun staat een de right place!
Dear queen, I was wondering did you have some Ervin,springs,delee,Lennon, bey Mackey,those are my family last names some use to talk the language. My grandmother said we had cousins that were geecee and they loved hop Joe and rice and for some reason I love hop Joe and rice and sacatase made with orka tomatoes corn it almost like hopping Joe. My family are Blackfoot Cherokee Indian meaning mix black and Indian. My husband family is smith,white,Clark, Lennon,bey,Richardson’s,Davis, but they moved to ansonville nc,I’m from Charlotte nc ,but I live in morven nc Anson county. My name is jashia p. Lennon-bey
Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh!
We take it that you mean “hoppin John.” We are not familiar with “Joe.” :-)
We have Richardsons on James Island. We are also familiar with the Blackfoot since the late Dr. Y N Kly who was part of our inaugural Wisdom Circle Council of Elders did a great deal of legal work for them in regard to human rights.
Tenki tenki fa tunin een ya!
My name is Stanley DeVell Varn. My family is from Walterboro, SC, Cottageville, SC and Charleston, SC. I was born in Walterboro. I now live in Lake Charles, La. For as long as I can remember, my friends would call me Geechee Boy. About one year ago I decided to do some research. I was overjoyed to discover the rich culture and heritage of the Geechee culture. All of my family still lives in SC and speak with the Geechee dialect. My wife notices that when I get excited I speak in the Geechee dialect. Am I a son of the GullahGeechee national?
Fa sho hunnuh da one a wi ef hunnuh dey from Walterboro! Colleton County proclaimed its first “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week” this year. We posted the video which you can find under the events link. Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh!
My family are Knight’s of Valdosta, Ga and my great grandmother spoke geechee dialect as I remember her communication seemed strange to me as a child. Is there any information on Knight family from coastal islands of Ga or SC?
Peace!
We don’t yet have info on Knight as a name on the Sea Islands. We have McKnight, but not Knight.