An estimated 5,000 or more Gullah people live on St. Helena Island and trace their ancestry to enslaved West Africans who worked rice plantations in the area and were freed by the Civil War.
October 12, 2025
high
demographic
Demographic and historical background about the Gullah community on St. Helena Island.
Smaller enclaves of Gullah people, often referred to as Geechee in some areas, are distributed along the U.S. Southeast coast from North Carolina to Florida.
October 12, 2025
high
geographic
General geographic distribution of Gullah/Geechee communities along the southeastern United States.
Scholars attribute the Gullah people's retention of much of their African heritage to separation from the mainland, with retained cultural elements including a distinct dialect and skills such as cast-net fishing and basket weaving.
October 12, 2025
high
cultural
Explanation of cultural retention among the Gullah attributed to geographic isolation, with examples of preserved traditions and skills.