Public's input sought on how to best preserve the Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor

Image by Flickr user maryaustinphoto

The Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor Commission, a nonprofit group set to study the sea island culture known as Geechee that runs along the coast from North Carolina to Florida has developed three alternatives for how the National Park Service can help manage the corridor over the next decade.

The Gullah are known for preserving more of their African linguistic and cultural heritage than any other African-American community in the United States. Gullah storytelling, cuisine, music, folk beliefs, crafts, farming and fishing traditions, all exhibit strong influences from West and Central African cultures and their influence can be found throughout the Lowcountry.

The alternatives the Heritage Corridor Commission has come up with are as follows:

  • Documenting and researching the culture's history, buildings and customs. 
  • Empowering Gullah-Geechee people to educate others on the culture, preserve it and even market its skills, arts and crafts. 
  •  Doing nothing (a federally mandated option).

The commission is asking for the public input before choosing its management plan.

Pop over to the article in The Post and Courier which contains information on how to send the Commission your input.

Filed in