Explore the Living Legacy of Gullah Geechee Culture and Foodways

Known for its tidal marshes, rustic sea islands and robust heritage, the lower Atlantic region, often called the Lowcountry, boasts a distinct identity shaped by both its geography and history. This includes the living legacy of the Gullah Geechee people, whose antecedent traditions, resourcefulness and resiliency remain deep-rooted in every aspect of coastal communities and beyond. Efforts spearheaded by the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor help ensure these cultural customs are preserved, promoted and protected.

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, deemed a National Heritage Area by the U.S. Congress in 2006, is chartered by 15 appointed commissioners (of the U.S. Department of the Interior), working throughout the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

“The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor spans 12,000 square miles, along the shoreline of Pender County in North Carolina to St. Johns County in Florida. The purpose of the Corridor is to sanctify and share the cultural practices and natural resources associated with the Gullah Geechee people,” says Commissioner Ashantae Green, a Gullah Geechee descendant residing in north Florida. Green also serves as the Sustainability Manager for the City of Jacksonville.

Formative Foodways

The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of Western and Central Africans who were enslaved on the seaside plantations throughout the Lowcountry.

“Seeds and grains, including heirloom crops, were braided into hair before coming over to America,” Green says. “Few cultural markers are as powerful as food and, for the Gullah Geechee people, foodways have always been a means of survival, identity and community.”

Traditional Gullah Geechee dishes appreciate what the land and water provide, such as shellfish, okra, sweet potatoes, greens and cowpeas, which remain cornerstone ingredients in Southern cuisine and soul food fare. At the center of the Gullah Geechee culinary legacy is rice. That’s because the region’s tidal rivers provided ideal conditions for rice farming; thus, Gullah Geechee farmers adapted West African techniques to the Lowcountry’s environment with lasting influence.

With ample access, Green says seafood is prominent in Gullah Geechee foodways. “Shrimp, crab, oysters and fish were staples and the foundation for menu mainstays, like Jambalaya and shrimp and grits,” she says.

Community gardens, as well as local farming and fishing initiatives, are revitalizing these practices, allowing cookery to carry on the story of the Gullah Geechee. Green says these edible experiences connect younger generations to ancestral wisdom while addressing modern needs for food sovereignty and sustainability.

“My family farms and owns Green Legacy Farm,” Green shares, in addition to her many roles. “As descendants of Gullah Geechee, we strive to manage micro-farms and retail outlets in food deserts, grow more farmers, address food insecurity and improve health outcomes through education, events and corporate partnerships.” She attests that Gullah Geechee is, in part, a way of life.

Cultivating Creativity

Agriculture has always been integral to Gullah Geechee life. Aside from harvesting vegetables, the Lowcountry’s subtropical climate and fertile soils also cultivated cotton and indigo.

Cotton holds a layered significance in Gullah Geechee art, symbolizing both hardship and resilience. Once a cash crop connected to grueling labor, cotton has been reimagined by Gullah Geechee artists as a material of creativity and a cultural keepsake. It often appears in mixed-media works, quilting and basket adornments, where its soft fibers contrast with its painful past. Likewise, Gullah Geechee artists also use natural indigo dye in textiles, basketry and paintings, weaving deep blues into patterns that mirror seaside spirituality and littoral landscapes.

“By incorporating cotton and indigo into artistic expression, Gullah Geechee people honor the strength of their ancestors while transforming a symbol of oppression into one of endurance, beauty and storytelling,” Green says.

Furthermore, verbal storytelling also evolved. Over time, the Gullah Geechee people developed a unique version of Creole language, called Gullah, blending English with African linguistic patterns. Green says storytellers and educators hope words, rhythms and wisdom of the language continue to resonate for generations to come.

Keeping Coastal Culture Afloat

The Corridor works in partnership with local communities, organizations and institutions to engage the public, including through heritage tourism. The goal is to celebrate and connect with Gullah Geechee culture through authenticated sites, food, crafts, performances and more. This empowers and educates a broader audience while enhancing economic opportunities within the Lowcountry. According to a recent Gullah Geechee Corridor Heritage Tourism Study, funded by Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, more than a third of all U.S. travelers (36%) say that “the availability of African American cultural, historic sites and attractions” is either “very important” (19%) or “somewhat important” (17%) in their choice of leisure destination.

“The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor embodies many historical places of significance to the Gullah Geechee people, so there’s ample opportunity aligned with the interest of heritage tourism,” Green says.

Some popular Gullah Geechee sites to visit include Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island roamed by wild horses; Penn Center, one of the first southern schools organized by northern missionaries for formerly enslaved on St. Helena Island in South Carolina; the “Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway,” a stretch near Mount Pleasant in South Carolina; and Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island in Florida, where well-preserved remains of original slave cabins stand.

The Corridor’s website, gullahgeecheecorridor.org, houses an interactive guide and map to 214 historic and cultural sites of importance in the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. This resource provides a photograph of and information about each site.

Additionally, cultural festivals – like the Gullah Festival in South Carolina, Geechee Kunda Festival in Georgia and Rice Festival in North Carolina – draw thousands to enjoy traditional music, dance, food and fellowship. These gatherings are not only joyful expressions of heritage but also infuse cherished pastimes into present-day celebrations.

“The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor has a subgrant program to support projects and events that engage and elevate Gullah Geechee culture,” Green says. Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $7,500 per project, which align with designated categories, such as cultural preservation, education/awareness, community development, environmental stewardship and celebrations/festivals.

As the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor continues its work, the culture’s future looks bright. Each initiative, festival and teaching opportunity reaffirms the importance of preserving, promoting and protecting this heritage not only for descendants of Gullah Geechee but for all who value the diverse tapestry of American history.