Gullah Virtual Library at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
2025-04-18 | Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928, United States
Discovering the Gullah Culture
The Gullah people of the Lowcountry are descendants of the enslaved Africans from West and Central Africa, and their rich cultural legacy endures. The Gullah (sometimes called Geechee) corridor extends from North Carolina to northern Florida including both the mainland and sea islands.
According to Gullah expert Dr. Emory Campbell,* the Gullah have preserved much of their African language and cultural heritage in part due to isolated living conditions. Gullah artistic traditions such as music, storytelling, folktales, crafts, basket making or “sewing” and rice-based foods encompass strong influences from West African Cultures.

Gullah Traditions Endure
Gullah artists such as basketweavers, dancers, storytellers, and singers carry on traditions brought to the Lowcountry. For example, coiled sea grass basketry has survived in America for 300 years, and these baskets are now recognized as an art form. Gullah spoken language, folktales and stories as well as spirituals and gospels are passed down from generation to generation.

The Gullah Virtual Library
This Virtual Library was designed to provide educators with resources such as videos, lessons plans, handouts, and digital content. These tools aid in the study of Gullah history while allowing students to experience Gullah arts and culture.

Dr. Emory Campbell
*Former Penn Center Director, former chair of the Gullah – Geechee Corridor Commission, co-author of the new book “Gullah Days: Hilton Head Islanders Before the Bridge 1861-1956” and a past member of the Arts Center’s Board of Trustees.

Culture and Foodways

Daufuskie Island Virtual Gullah Tour with Sallie Ann Robinson

Gullah History and Culture Presentation
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Gullah History and Culture Study Guide
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Gullah Recipes
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Arts and Traditional Crafts

The Significance of Adinkra Symbols in Gullah Art with Amiri Farris

Preserving the Art of Sweetgrass Basket Sewing with Michael Smalls & Dino Badger

Artist Bios Michael Smalls and Dino Badger
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Sweetgrass Word Search
Download

Exploring Printmaking through African Symbols and Textiles Lesson Plan
Download

Understanding How Symbols Communicate Stories and Meaning Presentation
Download

Songs and Stories

Gullah Tales with Anita Singleton Prather

Exploring Gullah Folktales through Puppetry
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Gullah Folktales Presentation
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Folktales
Visit Website

Historial Sites and PLantation Life

What Tabby Ruins Reveal about Gullah History with Dr. Emory Campbell

STEM Activity Engineering Tabby with Rice Cereal Lesson Plan
Download

Hilton Head Island Cultural Trail Map
Visit Website

Tabby Slave Cabins: Tabby Demonstration
Watch Video

Archaeological History of Tabby
Visit Website

Heritage Library Presents: Our Storied Island
Visit Website

Penn Center
Visit Website

Lifestyle and Community

A Visit to the Gullah Museum with Storyteller Louise Miller Cohen

Mitchelville
Visit Website

OCA – Gullah Celebration Video
Watch Video

Recommended Gullah Education Books

A Sweet, Sweet Basket
by Margie Clary

Circle Unbroken
by Margot Raven

Gullah Days: Hilton Head Islanders Before the Bridge 1861-1956
by Dr. Emory Campbell

This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Additional support is provided by the Winthrop Family Allendale/Hampton Fund which is managed by Coastal Community Foundation of S.C.
