Gullah Traditions Through the Generations Still Practiced Today

Many Gullah traditions were born of necessity, but most were a natural result of the lives and lifestyles of enslaved Africans during the 18th century. Gullah traditions are rooted in the cultural heritage of African Americans in the Lowcountry, and remain vibrant customs today. Let’s examine these traditions and discover how the Gullah people practice them today.

Gullah Traditions Passed Down Through Generations 

Folklore and Spirituality

Ancestors of the Gullah people come from numerous African regions and brought with them their beliefs, practices, and traditions. And because there were so many areas, tribes, and ethnicities, it’s easier and more fair to say that Gullah’s ancestors hail from West Africa. Upon arriving in America, many who were not Christians in Africa adopted Christianity out of necessity and were given Bibles that emphasized obedience and endorsed slavery.  Despite this, however, enslaved Africans incorporated some of their African traditions into their Christianity. 

For example, ring shouts – rhythmic singing and dancing in a circle – were a common way to express spiritual praise and thanks. The circle ring shout traces back to the Kongo, where practitioners sang and danced in a circle in the hopes of being possessed by the Holy Spirit or important ancestors. The ring shout is one of the Gullah traditions that remain today in varying degrees in African-American congregations throughout the United States.

Handcrafts of the Gullah Geechee 

Shuku Blai is a common basket weaving tradition in Sierra Leon. This is where many within the Gullah community trace their ancestry. The skill of basket weaving in the Shuku Blai tradition was brought over in the 18th century. It still thrives today in the Gullah Geechee regions of the Southeast.

Sweetgrass Baskets in the Lowcountry are made from bulrush. This is an abundant marsh grass in the region. The baskets are a popular item sold at roadside stands and markets in and around the Lowcountry. Skilled artisans learned to create them from their ancestors as the handcraft has been passed down through generations. It’s also common to see young children around Charleston selling sweetgrass roses, in the same style as the ornate and elaborate baskets. 

Gullah Traditions: Storytelling Design and Lifestyle

Gullah Traditions and Lifestyle 

Blue bottle trees are a common site in the Lowcountry and Sea Islands. Warding off evil spirits is an important aspect of Gullah culture. Blue bottles attract evil sports. The spirits with their curious nature, enter the bottles and become trapped. As the morning sun rises, bad spirits die inside the bottles. The shape-shifting spirits are the ghosts of people who seek revenge. 

Haints and Boo Hags

Many Southerners paint their porch ceilings a robins-egg blue color.  This “haint blue” wards off evil spirts that try to enter the home. And, if you’ve ever experienced sleep paralysis you may have heard of the Boo Hag. Gullah people believe that the Boo Hag is a witch that waits for its victim to fall into a deep sleep. Once in a deep sleep, the Boo Hag sucks out their energy. The person then wakes up tired and listless. 

Boo Hags dislike the color blue and salt scares them. This is one reason why the Gullah traditions have some people leaving salt shakers (or even salt lames) in their bedrooms. This wards off the evil spirits. Boo Hags enjoy counting, so having a broom or brush nearby will keep them occupied so they leave you alone. 

Culinary Gullah Traditions 

You don’t have to look much further than Netflix specials, or PBS, to understand the complexities and sheer depth of Gullah traditions around food and cooking. From the Lowcountry boil to red rice, there is a deep history in the Gullah foods. The Gullah people and their recipes span hundreds of years. These include items like akra soup, shrimp and grits, lima beans, pig tails, and everything in between. Gullah food is popular and highly sought after in the Lowcountry by locals and tourists alike. 

As you can see, food, crafts, and storytelling are significant parts of Gullah traditions and culture. Storytelling began during the times of slavery, as a way to communicate without plantation owners knowing. Storytelling was and remains a way to make sense of the world.