Gullah Geechee Elders Work to Preserve Sacred Songs Passed Down By Enslaved Ancestors

August 11, 2025

Gullah Geechee culture, rooted in West African traditions that survived slavery in the South Carolina Sea Islands, is being preserved through the efforts of elderly singers and scholars. Artists like Minnie "Gracie" Gadson, now in her 70s, perform traditional Gullah spirituals that were once sung in praise houses where enslaved people worshipped. These cultural custodians, including the touring group Voices of Gullah, travel across the country performing songs in the Gullah Creole language to maintain their heritage.

Who is affected

Gullah Geechee people, estimated at over 5,000 descendants of enslaved plantation workers on St. Helena Island
Elderly singers in their 70s and 80s who perform and preserve Gullah spirituals
African Americans seeking connection to their cultural heritage
Future generations who stand to either inherit or lose this cultural tradition
Students from institutions like Morehouse College who visit cultural sites
Visitors and tourists who experience Gullah culture through performances and tours

What action is being taken

Elderly singers like Minnie "Gracie" Gadson are performing Gullah spirituals across the U.S. and internationally as part of Voices of Gullah
Eric Crawford is recording and documenting Gullah music and taking singers on tour since 2014
The Gullah Heritage Trails Tours are guiding visitors through historic neighborhoods on Hilton Head Island
Anita Singleton-Prather is directing and performing in plays about Gullah history
Marlena Smalls is creating adaptations of Gullah spirituals for new audiences
Tendaji Bailey is bringing Morehouse students to visit praise houses through the "Gullah Geechee Futures" project
Crawford is working to secure grants for students to start projects preserving Gullah songs, language and culture

Why it matters

The Gullah language and traditions represent a direct cultural link to West African heritage that survived through slavery
Iconic songs like "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" and "Kumbaya" originated from this tradition
The advanced age of current culture bearers (70s-80s) creates urgency for preservation
These cultural elements provide identity and connection for African Americans
The songs and language represent a "legacy of strength and resilience" rather than victimization
The spirituals document survival strategies and cultural resistance during slavery
The praise houses represent rare spaces where enslaved people could express themselves freely

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint