Gullah Music

This collection explores various genres of music from Africa. Flavors of these African music styles, such as Gullah music are prevalent in coastal regions through the southeastern United States.

Songs | Gullah Net

Audio

Music is another important part of life on the Sea Islands. Most of the Gullah music is found in religious practices. Although spirituals had a Christian message, they were heartfelt expressions of...
Gullah Traditions | Gullah Net
Gullah Traditions | Gullah Net

Document

Gullah traditions are the customs, beliefs and ways of life that have been passed down among Sea Island families. Making sweetgrass baskets, quilting, and knitting fishing nets are a few of the crafts...
Praise House | Gullah Music
Praise House | Gullah Music

Interactive

Students will understand how enslaved Africans created music for their worship experience. Religious meetings in “praise houses” provided the spiritual outlet for enslaved Africans on the plantation...
Secret Code | Gullah Music
Secret Code | Gullah Music

Interactive

Students will understand that music and material culture became a mode of covert communication between slaves. Aunt Pearlie Sue is our guide as students uncover hidden messages in the work songs...
Got the Blues | Gullah Music
Got the Blues | Gullah Music

Interactive

Students will understand traditional blues form that contains three four-measure phrases that follow the pattern AAB. Let Reverend Leroy show you how to express your sad feelings by composing a blues...
Rock and Roll | Gullah Music
Episode 9

Audio

Blues and country music contributed to a style called rhythm and blues. This was an early form of what we now call rock and roll. It appealed to a younger audience that liked to dance to the sounds of...
Work Song | Gullah Music
Episode 3

Audio

Enslaved Africans sang songs as they worked to help keep the pace of the task they were doing. A leader called out a verse or yell and others responded. This is the call-and-response singing tradition...
Hip Hop/Rap | Gullah Music
Episode 12

Audio

African call-and-response patterns and improvisation survived the Middle Passage and became two of the basic elements of one of today’s most popular forms of music. In the 1970s, rap music began in...