Gullah Roots: How to go to Africa on a Roots Tour

Sierra Leoneans and Gullahs have known about their family connection for more than 30 years, and people on both sides of the Atlantic are eager to learn more about it. This is what Fambul Tik (“Family Tree”), a Sierra Leonean cultural organization, will address when we lead an historic study tour of Sierra Leone in December, 2019. Our visitors will include Gullah people, Gullah performers, historians, historical preservationists, and cultural activists.
We call our tour: “The Sierra Leone-Gullah Connection: The Next Step.”

[@amberbug90]

We LOVED Gullah Gullah island as kids. Nickelodeon was epic for giving us that! I didn't even know it was based off reality, a real place

[@renitaappleby8188]

Facts

[@lusciouzlippz2306]

Exactly

[@ral2154]

I wrote gullah gullah all over my wall as a kid my mom was chasing me to whoop my butt finally caught up with me and started laughing. Thank u for this comment. The spirit is real

[@amberbug90]

@@ral2154 amen.

[@brittanyscott3809]

Gullah Gullah Island was The Show. I liked that show.

[@jessicabyrd3620]

I thank God that I’m from South Carolina our heritage is finally being told and recognized!!

[@reginasmith6276]

I live in North Carolina now; I need to visit the Gullah Museum. Alll this rich culture I'm around!!! is breath taken it reminds how Africa is still here even though not on the continent. Back when I was 23 now 42 I remember meeting a Geechee girl from South Carolina. I was so amazed how she sounds like an islander. Had no idea of this and they can speak Geechee. Wow...

[@azukaavaz1232]

Do u see urself as ameri indian

[@cedricmoran5609]

That's my family Mary Moran💯💯👑🔥🔥❤️

[@cedricmoran5609]

​@@reginasmith6276this is my family I'm a Moran my ancestors came from Sierra Leone freetown mande

[@Gullahbae-xm6ms]

We also have Native ancestry. I personally identify as Afro- Indigenous!

[@mikematerne4579]

I went to school with a geechi girl, and one day she was on the phone with her mom, speaking their language, and I was in total amazement, how they retained their culture after so many centuries! And she was beautiful!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Gullah-Geechees on rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia were isolated due to two major illnesses: malaria and yellow fever. These two used to kill a lot of Colonists who stayed in the areas especially during the season when they have what they called "the disease" or something similar. Of course the blacks had developed resistance to such illnesses over the years. There were times when the plantations were led by black foremen. That isolation helped to preserve the culture.

[@ladydignity]

Wow...

[@kathyborthwick6738]

Very beautiful people- The Peacemakers❤️🦅☀️🦅

[@ms.rstake_1211]

❤❣

[@reginasmith6276]

That is so cool wish more blacks did that back then.....

[@Memphismusicmaster]

When I finally found my people in Sierra Leone they already knew who my family was! Connected on 23 and me apparently they are still passing on the stories. I’m 35 and then last girl to be told our history. Now I tell it to my son, I look forward to returning home and meeting my tribe soon !

[@LoveLove-wn4hz]

I’m definitely going to try 23 and me I’ve already done African Ancestry

[@reginasmith6276]

Wow they already knew wow...

[@cedricmoran5609]

This is my bloodline family I'm a Moran my kuzns in this video

[@vonzella16]

My grandmother always claimed she had family that were Geechee by way of Charleston S.C. Then they stayed in Florence S.C. We were young now living up North we never paid her no mind. But seeing this documentary peaks my interest in doing some ancestry searching . Great informative documentary

[@gregoryhoward1211]

Me also, my mom born in Charleston.

[@gregoryhoward1211]

I'm related to the mazyck's of Florence. !

[@vonzella16]

@@gregoryhoward1211 my grandmother maiden name was Stevenson she also married into the Nettles family

[@ms.rstake_1211]

💕

[@gideonappleseed9632]

Florence S.C. is GheeChee also more so in Lake City & Kingstree Cades. Most people think its just Charleston but its GheeChee sound diffence it just depend where you're at in SC

[@lilyflower5576]

Your ROOTS will regrow everything that was taken!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Indeed, Lily Flower! This is why it is important to connect to your roots. When Africa connects with her diaspora or vice versa, in a real way, we change the narrative of black people all over the world. We will be hosting a conference for the Sierra Leone diaspora this Fall that involves three distinct groups: Sierra Leonean-Americans (DNA), Gullah-Geechees, and Sierra Leonean immigrant children. Stay tuned!

[@dr.berdinegordon7941]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 Our DNA admixture suggests that 8% of our ancestry is Guinean & Sierra Leonean (Paternal from The Bahamas). Maternal admixture suggests that 14% of our ancestry origins is from Senegal, Gambia & Guinea-Bissau (Wolof identity via Louisiana Créole roots).

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

@@dr.berdinegordon7941 thanks for sharing that with us. I think I have said elsewhere in these discussions that the area referred to as the "Rice Coast" as documented by historians, spanned Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. So that you have some of these "admixtures" in your paternal and maternal lines supports the history, or vice versa.

[@dr.berdinegordon7941]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 I most humbly appreciate your response in reply to my comment. Thank you kindly!

[@RedRiverMan]

Amen! Ashe-o!!!

[@jazzladycheryl]

There are many people in the Caribbean who speak she same way as the Gullah Geechee, like in Barbados, Jamaica and a few other places. An excellent documentary.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

And you will be pleased to know that we have Sierra Leonean connections in Jamaica that we have explored (Trelawny Town(or Flagstaff Maroons). The patois languages are very similar. But according to world-renowned linguist, Dr. Ian Hancock, no two Creole languages are as similar as Gullah and krio (spoken in SIerra Leone). Barbados was the first recorded place Africans from Sierra Leone were taken to. Is that where you live? From there? We have to visit.

[@davidbenyehuda7618]

This is because we're related we're Jacob and they our enemies have hidden this. Please read FLORENTINE CODEX and the letters and diaries of Columbus and the conquistadors and study Spanish inquisition and Portuguese expulsion. The rabbit hole is deep. Psalm 83 is talking about us. Shalom

[@VesselOfYAH]

We are the chosen of the bible and many of us came from the KONGO and was taken to the west to be sold into slavery

[@royabrown8774]

When get a chance, check out the meaning of the word Gullah in the Hebrew, also I see you like a little jazz,close.out Ari Brown/ Chicago Jazz 2014

[@rqubed2603]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 I am Jamaican. You are right. Rebellious Jamaicans were sent to Sierra Leone as punishment. Having won their freedom and their own autonomous communities in Jamaica they wanted the entire population of blacks to be free. Unfortunately, their plan was told to the white rulers by an African woman who became a traitor and they were capture and sent to Canada, then Sierra Leone. Some of Krio is definitely from Jamaican Patois. Pawdie for instance...meaning "friend" or "homie" is an example.

[@maatasset1415]

I had that same thing happened to me when I went to Africa. I had a strong feeling that I had been there before, my tears flowed I could not control them. Black First Forever!!!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Well said!

[@onjaoverby6016]

I loved watching this documentary! My grandmother graduated from Penn School in the 1930s and both of my grandparents were from Sheldon, SC in Beaufort County. Seeing this rich history made my soul smile.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Love that! These are the kinds of satisfaction that we want our work to bring to Africans on both sides of the big pond. Penn School, now Penn Center was the first school for formerly enslaved black folks. www.penncenter.com/

[@ahmarianrigby6063]

Wow!! I'm from The Turks and Caicos Islands, I have been researching and came across the Gullah Geechee. We are so similar in the way we talk, the food and even the music. I've made up my mind that we are family. Great documentary.

[@lekholokoelekotsoanamoloi9593]

❤

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Ahmarian, we are aware that some voyages from Sierra Leone to The Turks and Caicos were made; with human cargo.

[@eve3363]

See this is what happens when you're not a trained historian, linguist, or anthropologist. First off, every English- speaking Caribbean nation has a connection to the American South because English colonists were governors of both the American South and the English Caribbean. Next, have you ever researched anything about Black Americans in general or are you only focusing on one group because now it's popular? This is serious questions because the information you absorb is who you become.

[@redeemedliving2342]

This documentary gave me chills, as I am a Gullah Geechee in search of info of the rice people, and I am crying because my research has taking me to Sierra Leone, I am from Beaufort SC and was raised in Charleston and Yemassee SC, and I am a Very Proud Gullah Geechee!! I speak to others about our rich culture and as a matter of fact, my grandmother's nicknames was Geechee Gal, and I Love it, I am so honored to see my people embrace who we truly are.🤎🖤🤎🖤🤎🤗

[@redeemedliving2342]

@@helloworlddie Hi, we could be, but not quite sure of it, as my family and I continue to search for more info to exact the location.

[@redeemedliving2342]

@@helloworlddie Thank You my dear .

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Well it should not be surprising that your research has led you to Sierra Leone. You know not too long ago the Gullah-Geechee people were being made fun of. The whole country used to address Gullah-Geechees as dumb and that they can't speak English properly. Dr. Lorenzo Turner rebutted that with his now classic book "Africanisms in the Gullah Dialect." In which he proved that the Gullah-Geechee language was largely influenced by African languages. When a British Historian did a review on Turner's book in 1965 he observed that about 25% of the words and loan names and scattered texts, including the longest text of an African language, a five-line song in the Mende language of Sierra Leone. So, if Sierra Leone featured in your research that stands on firm ground as many descendants of Gullah-Geechees are descendants of Sierra Leone. And we have taken the lead as a country in search of their kinfolk in the diaspora. We urge other African countries to do, similarly.

[@redeemedliving2342]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 THANK YOU for that bit of history that you enlighten me and others on, I will get the book, because I didn't even know that, but what I do know, is that we were something special and I felt that way since I was a child, and as a 56 yr old now just learning all I can and have plans to move to the continent in the very near future, so again, Thank You Fam, for that.

[@globalgirlinc]

Hey cuzin 🤗 I’m a Gullah Geechee girl from Charleston. Your post caught my attention because I have connection to Yamassee via my Mothers Grandmother✨🙌🏾 this documentary is amazing 🤎🖤🤎🖤

[@supershorts9224]

I am not a Gullah, not even of African descent, but it gives me a sense of joy and admiration at how the African people have been so resilient facing oppression over hundreds of years, and yet still managing to retain their identity, and be proud of their heritage all the while living in a Western world. I am from Honduras and we have what is known as settlements of the Garifuna people which are also African descendants that came to settle the Caribbean coasts of Central America by way of St. Vincent. They speak a language which is a mix of English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Carib, and West/Central African dialects due to their tumultuous migrations throughout the Caribbean on their way to Central America's coasts. One could only hope that the native indigenous tribes of Honduras could maintain their cultural identities in the face of Western assimilation and eventual cultural extinction. God bless the Gullah people, and all the people and cultures in God's colorful garden.

[@learycogic]

I recognize the guy voice from the kids show Gullah Gullah Island.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Yes indeed, Michael Leary. We took Gullah Gullah Island with us. Ron Daise, with his wife Natalie, daughter Sara and son, Simeon where all on the trip. Half of the trip were Gullah Geechee performers, story tellers, cultural preservationists and academics. This was a historical study tour to show how our African roots got to America.

[@madprof]

As one who has taken students to Gullah historical sites in the past, I'm so glad to see these sites and people getting recognition in a documentary of this caliber. Keep up the good work!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Hello, Seneca that is interesting to learn. We really would like to have the film shown in schools across the country. And we can always hop on a webinar to answer questions about the film, or the trip even. There's more to the trip that did not make the film; naturally. So we hope to make up for that via this Channel. Hope you stick around.

[@realityhurts8697]

I love documentaries such as these, appreciating cultures and people bring people together through understanding.

[@theseklownskrazyasfuq344]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341, I'm DEFINITELY going to be sticking around as you've gained a new subscriber. Beautiful documentary & I can't wait to see EVERYTHING to you have to share!! Thank you!

[@aminatakondeh860]

This film touched my soul... I wish I was there to experience it with you all. I hope there will be more of these trips to learn more about the Gullah roots. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@Anoldaccount988]

Things like this just make you burst into tears literally from how touching and HAUNTING it all is. Slavery was so cruel & the process of stripping one from home... Absolutely terrible yet bitter sweet.

[@tothelighthouse9843]

It's hard to put into words what I feel just watching this. I cannot imagine what it must be like to live it, to cross the Atlantic & see your ancestors & family in the faces of the people welcoming you. This is a wonderful & moving video, congratulations & thankyou to everyone involved.

[@staceyherbert7230]

This is MAGICAL. My people are soooooo beautiful. Glowing and elegant and full of grace.

[@YahavehsSoldier]

I absolutely loved this! Coming from a family where they do not want to know the history of our people (we are not Gullah at least that I know of), this video just makes my heart swell with pride. I pray to make it to Africa one day. And on that day I know I will cry tears of pure joy.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Let's go... Kendrea! What you see in the film was a special trip, but we do these on annual basis. Every December!

[@13579hee]

Well who are "your people"? If your ancestors were enslaved in America, then that its the history of "your people". "Your peoples" story of who they are or how they came to be is in the Americas. In Africa culture is based on history and tradition. Based on history & tradition, you aren't "African"

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

I am not sure that logic is strong. What about those who enlaved "our people" and were Europeans? Did their history start on the plantations, e.g.? Or Europe?

[@theseklownskrazyasfuq344]

@@13579hee, 🤔Well WHO ARE YOU & WHERE do YOU dwell from?

[@reginasmith6276]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 I want to go too!!! Is it expensive ? I want to go to Africa but those tickets be so high!!!

[@Alegar78]

It was with great pleasure that I was part of the documentary. Thanks Betsy Newman for your leadership and experience. I hope y'all enjoy the animations and graphics. I would love to go to Sierra Leone soon.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Ay! Here is the graphics guy! That was awesome what you did, my friend. I was going to ask Betsy for your phone number as we have some ideas. And definitely, we will take you to Sierra Leone and experience that indescribable feeling. Can we call you for a conversation?

[@RA1N1TO]

Nova Scotia my wife I'd from the Downey and Clayton and she had famelly roots in seiria leoon and NC me I'm bahamian and I had roots whit the gullah is so crazy how conected we are

[@NW-pt8zz]

I’m from New Orleans and I love learning about the Gullah culture because it’s similar to New Orleans culture

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Agreed. If I was to put them on a scale New Orleans culture is second strongest in its African-ness, for want of a better way to put it. The Gullahs have it all!

[@chiefspiritwolf6650]

I descend from the Littlejohn’s of Cherokee County SC. We have a family book that has our names in it from our African ancestors that came in 1690. My Gilliard ancestors are from St. John and St. James Island Charleston SC. Im a Gullah baby and proud

[@lstr-wp2lq]

I’m not a Gullah Geechee woman, but this is nice to see. This is beautiful ☺️ My people are from Virginia, My ancestors are from the Igbo tribe. ( Nigeria)

[@Fabulousberry145]

You are my sister.. I'm from Igbo tribe in Nigeria, God bless you..

[@lstr-wp2lq]

@@Fabulousberry145 Thank you sister, and God bless you too.

[@mlungisiwright912]

My people are from inland South Carolina or up state as well as Georgia and Virginia. What people fail to mention is that Virginia was a breeder state. More people got imported to SC than VA but they kept them alive and that caused there to be a large population of Igbo descended people because there were discrepancies in how many women got exiled. So a lot of non-Igbo men ended up with Igbo women. If you count the Igbo brought to the Caribbean who got resold, all those who were brought to Virginia, to South Carolina even if they were not favored by every planter and those in Louisiana even. This is why so many AAs get "Nigerian" as their top % on both AncestryDNA and 23andme. What makes Gullah stand out is that they get higher Ghana, Liberia,& Sierra Leone on 23andme than most non-Gullah AAs and they get elevated Mali, on AncestryDNA.

[@symbaian]

This culture was once widespread throughout the islands of The Bahamas.

[@amadumassally1762]

Yes indeed. In fact, the first ships from Sierra Leone to the Americas with enslaved Africans as cargo went to The Bahamas. Is that home for you? We could be related.

[@symbaian]

@@amadumassally1762 yes it is

[@truthseeker3322]

My boyfriend is from Cat Island Bahamas 🇧🇸, I'm from South Carolina. When I first met his family, they thought I was from.the Bahamas because of my verbiage and accent.

[@dr.berdinegordon7941]

@@amadumassally1762 Paternal family origins of The Bahamas (Brown Family Tree - Cat Island). My original birth certificate shows Father's country of birth as "The Bahamas Islands."

[@nvme4ever1st66]

PRESERVE THE ROOTS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION..TEACH THEM!

[@litebeingimmortal7375]

African people around the world are a very special people,no one compares to the ancient people of the planet

[@enidhaviland4824]

Fambul Tik is absolutely beautiful, and I do hope to visit Ghana because I know that is where my ancestors are from.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

That's awesome! Being Ghanaian is not common as many Ghanaians were taken to Georgia especially, against their will. Today we see names in Georgia like Quao or Kojo as roads or small areas.

[@tyawoodard277]

"Come & lets play 2gether, in the bright sunny weather. Lets all go to Gullah Gullah Island!!!!" My FAVORITE show!!! Love to all yall :)

[@cynthiagrahamward5690]

Geechee Gullah born in the north. Every Sierra Leone person I met here in the states opened their arms to me with a heartfelt embrace except for one. I am grateful to have met the friendly families first. The other treated me as if I had the plaque. When I grabbed her to embrace her, her stoic, stiffness let me know without words" get away from me." I still wish her well.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Sorry to hear about that! Sierra Leoneans are normally friendly people. But there is always a bad apple somewhere.

[@haroldwilson6015]

These are my people am from the Bahamas.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Yes, sir! We are one!

[@tameshacampbell3897]

I learned a lot from this documentary.We are one indeed ! I live in Charleston SC .

[@valleach9862]

We ALL need our story to move forward and teach our children. I am white but loved the richness and love of this documentary. I just want to get up and dance! Thank you for sharing.

[@elleyonaspg9580]

Thanks Val for being real. Wish more of your people were real like you.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Thanks for your comments and honesty, Val. And glad to know the film almost got you on the dance floor.

[@traceebclaybrook]

Amazing! So glad they could persevere their history ❤️

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Yes, like no other group in these United States.

[@maatasset1415]

When I went to Africa my tears flowed I could not stop from flowing

[@kawdart8303]

I'm from Louisiana and my husband family are creole and they sound just like the gullah Geechee people...

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Interesting! But not surprising. Similar dynamics must have played in those areas where creole culture thrived. To be Gullah-Geechee today, for example, you have to have descended from rice plantation ancestors. And their way of life on those plantations and when they returned home after work, the language, the material culture like the sweetgrass basket, and using the 'fannah' to separate the rice from its husk or chaff, and eating it - 3 times a day, back then. Those, at a minimum, make up the Gullah-Geechee culture. A unique one!

[@13579hee]

Thats because of the shared history of slavery. Period

[@quasalone4755]

there are geechee people in Louisiana not everyone is creole. My great grandmother Eula was Geechee

[@sophiamitchell7126]

This was a great documentary. In Jamaica we say "oonuh" as well. I hope that more Gullah people especially those who have lost their sense of identity not just the converted will visit Sierra Leone and experience a renewal. The converted must go back and help to build stronger communities one village at a time so that our people may rise out of the ashes of war. What I really liked was how you involved the youth and you could see one young man who showed so much promise. Personally I don't know my roots but this level of preservation of our African Ancestry to actually point out a place and a family is so remarkable.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Great points being made, @Sophia Mitchell. Jamaican patois is similar to Sierra Leone's krio or version of a creole language. In fact Sierra Leoneans have connections to Jamaica. And here they are: Sierra Leoneans were taken to Jamaica during the period of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Pre-1800s. In 1800, about 500 Trelawny Town (now Flagstaff) Maroons were taken to Freetown after a brief stint in cold Nova Scotia. Their descendants are still there today. And after the trade was abolished, a few thousands of Africans were sent to Jamaica from Sierra Leone. In 2016, we coordinated a trip in which members of the Govt of Sierra Leone visited Flagstaff to hang out with the descendants of those Maroons. For the first time in 170 years. That was special. So you may not be too far from your roots. I also like your suggestion of the "converted must go back..." But I am curious as to who are the converted? I find it intriguing. Let's keep the dialog going!

[@jacinda5168]

Our roots are rooted here on turtle island watch Dane Calloway

[@jacinda5168]

No such thing as the Trans Atlantic slave Trade

[@henriettagibril6381]

Oonuh actually is derived from tje Igbo language of Eastern Nigeria. It is part of the Sierra Leone KRIO language now. Another form is 'oonoo' .

[@garryyee3532]

After reading this I remember a saying in the district in Jamaica where I grew up as a little boy " unu push kunu an de debble rule yuh", there was another saying "If Jangcro never know how him batty tan him wudah never swallow "abe seed" . Blessed

[@taelurrgame8638]

Gullah Gullah island popped in my head soon as the man started singing. Reminded me of the dad from the kids show

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

That is him! Ron Daise of Gullah, Gullah Island. His whole family went on that groundbreaking trip to Sierra Leone.

[@00700556]

This is so fascinating it’s insane. You definitely can see the admixture between the Sierra native vs the Gullah.

[@Kymcook73]

God bless all the people. I love the Gullah. Beaufort, sc here.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

That's the home I claim along the Gullah-Geechee Corridor. Don't let Savannah and Charleston's folks hear that! Sshhh!

[@MsMikkiG11]

I'm from St. Helena Island.

[@s25s2m9]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 lol

[@alexisboyd5293]

How beautiful! I didn't know anything about this until I stumbled on your video. Thank you for sharing and educating! I want to make it down to see some of the beautiful culture in SC! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 I use to watch Gullah Gullah Island as a small child and now at 28 I discovered the meaning behind the AMAZING culture. Thank you Mr. And Mrs. Daise! They planted the seed!

[@7Fields16llc]

Thanks for the Historical Lesson. Now, I know the history of my people.

[@MT21126]

Such A Great Documentary it bring tears to my Eyes & Heart. Thank you for Sharing 🤗🥰❤️😇🙏🏻

[@willettebrown4908]

Yes I am so THRILLED about informed DOCUMENTARY!! I was born in Florence County, SC in the 50s (1950s -to be more exact) they're so much about this documentary that speaks to the inner me..I AM SO MOVED, to tears (happy tears) this is such a powerful and informative beyond words at this moment thanks so very much ❤ Gullah Geechee people, JUST MAY BE MY PEOPLE & PARTLY MY PEOPLE!! THANK YOU AGAIN!! BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!!❤🤍😉🙏🥰

[@StokesCheri]

💖 RON DAISE!!! 💖 I used to love watching him and his wife on the kids' tv show GULLAH GULLAH ISLAND when my children were small. I absolutely loved all the songs and the colorful house. Nice to see that his sweet, singing temperament wasn't an act!! MEMORIES...

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Good point! We have more clips of him singing in Sierra Leonean villages. We will share them in the future.

[@philliplyn2692]

Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Sierra Leone has links yo Jamaica too. Strong ones.

[@territ.5357]

Ah! This was so amazing to watch. I also, enjoyed seeing the Daise family. They were so instrumental in my children upbringing when they were little. Thank you for this wonderful documentary. I cannot wait to return to visit the Gullah Geechee Islands.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

We cannot wait to return to that area either; post-Covid-19. Yes, Ron Daise and his whole family were there with us. And they got adopted b a village, where they make Sweetgrass baskets look-alikes.

[@barbarathompson6205]

This is so wonderful!!!!!!

[@LoveLove-wn4hz]

My ancestry came back from Sierra Leone this melts my heart this video is greatly appreciate I’m just finding my roots

[@Gullahbae-xm6ms]

Love my Gullah culture! 🖤💙💚💛✊🏾

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

There's nothing like it in the Americas. Arguably.

[@shakimwhite5792]

The Gullah language is very similar to Patois 💪🏾🙏🏽🙌🏽

[@ElNegringoKreyolito]

Informative and powerful❤🖤💚😌🙏🏿

[@yoshisaba]

Beautifully documented!!!!!! 😍

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Thank you! It was South Carolina Educational TV who saw that our program or study tour worthy of a documentary when we approached them. Thanks to Betsy Newman and Xavier Blake where the folks who made it possible. We took them on the most busy ten days of their lives... and all others who went on that life-changing and ground-breaking trip. We may do another one this year. But we plan to have engagements with you guys here on US soil, too. A conference in Atlanta, GA for all of our Sierra Leonean and Gullah Geechee relatives who can make it, would be awesome. If Covid-19 permits, this Fall or early Winter looks promising. Or what about a virtual tour of the sites and activities we would visit physically? Just thinking aloud!

[@Young_Salone]

Beautiful documentary hope many others will follow this trend and make this journey back to their origins.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Good point, The Young Sierra Leonean. We are hoping that this film can add to the current gravitation towards roots connections to Africa. We have different programs to help us connect and collaborate. Stay tuned with us for more...

[@teetown0429]

Thank you so much for this information!.❤️

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

You are welcome, teetown0429! What was your favorite part of the information? Thank you.

[@alwaysalady9616]

I love my people!! Lady's Island, SC

[@johnruffing7422]

I was just on Hilton Head and I remember the childrens TV Show and it was low country and I saw a sign that said Historic Gullah Neighborhood. So fascinating next time I’m down there I’ll check out the museum!

[@BlackAmericanIndia]

I just came back from Charleston, SC. I probably will go back to the opening of the museum.

[@kati1017]

Its wonderful to realize you have roots!

[@terrancemckeller629]

I remember dude from Gullah Gullah Island on Nick Jr from waaay back..loved it come to find out my grand father was always saying he was geechee and I just looked into it so now I’m realizing a lot now and been researching and letting him know where it comes from because he only knew what his father told him

[@askmamalouise7605]

Outstanding!!!!! Thank you for such an informative film.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

What did you enjoy seeing? Will you take such a trip to anywhere in Africa?

[@askmamalouise7605]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 I enjoyed the ability to witness our cultural linkage.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

@@askmamalouise7605 ​we are happy for you! Thanks for the feedback!

[@angelicaroddy7963]

I absolutely love learning new things about the Gullah Geechee culture

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

There's a whole lot more to learn, my friend. see www.fambultik.com

[@ladymsthing6056]

Beautiful!

[@RA1N1TO]

Yes alot of slave from.seirria Leon to the bahamas and NC SC gorgia went to the bahamas we are them bahamian are also gulla geeche but gulla geeche have they own native land is warm my heart to know we have such connection some said Barbados but bahamas has to be one of the most conected people whit the gullah geeche people

[@peacejones7648]

Amazing documentary ❤️ Thanks for sharing

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Glad you liked it, @Peace Jones! There is some unique history between Africans and Americans. We hope to bring more of it to light. Just make sure you get all the new material we will be sharing from time to time.

[@peacejones7648]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 ofcourse !! Thanks again

[@sunshinesista9784]

My grandmother was Gullah. This was very informative. ❤

[@juliettecumberbatch5672]

Thank you for sharing this I am from Barbados in the Caribbean some of the dance and many more stuff are a like thank you and the team.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Indeed at @juliettecumberbatch5672, in fact before Africans started going over to South Carolina directly, they were imported from Barbados. There are strong connections there. In fact, recently the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission signed an MOU with the island nation. The first ship recorded to have left Sierra Leone in the 1600s went to Barbados. Where sugar was the main thing on plantations and not rice.

[@renairgibbs9200]

Yessss my family, it's 2021! The time has come again fa us ta unite & teach us youngens! DAUFUSKIE ISLAND, SC DESCENDANT!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Fambul Tik has visited Daufuskie Island. A serene atmosphere and disconnected from the mainland.

[@josephbryant5950]

I am a Gullah-Geechee mixed with white. An old Gullah umon(woman), on Ain't Thelna (Saint Helena) said l was a kitchen baby (chile of the massa)

[@truthseeker3322]

Hey family 👋

[@LadyMJustice]

This is wonderful.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed viewing it.

[@dansojula2396]

Good job brother masally and the team

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Thank you Danso Jula for your supportive comments. We hope to do more.

[@crazydayzjack]

LOVE THIS!!!

[@LaurelsLearningLab]

As a child of a linguist, I love languages and I think it's amazing that they found the Mende song that connected the Georgian and Sierra Leone family tree! So nice to get back to your roots - find out where you come from! :) Thank you Amadu for putting together this wonderful film :) I know people will LOVE to hear more about this :)

[@ted1091]

Riveting history. Thank you

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Glad you enjoyed it! We may be doing another one this December! We will let you know by end of April. As we weigh the Covid-19 odds! At a minimum we will do a virtual tour you can participate in. There's more where that came from!

[@cynthiagrahamward5690]

So proud of our young....

[@christinagraham2915]

This made me cry😭

[@ms.rstake_1211]

I would really like to see the Gullah Geechee, Bahia, Siddhi... and such Afro- communities around the world soon. Love from a Niger-Delta, Naija girl from (our) West Africa ❤ 🇳🇬 ❣

[@Keymoney843]

I’m from Charleston South Carolina.. This video felt like a family reunion

[@crazylove9158]

Same here, i'm from Georgetown, SC.

[@travisbrown4391]

I'm from Charleston SC too. All that's family right there

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Key, it was a family reunion. A special kind...

[@livefree1111]

I’m from the Chuck too. 🖤

[@LioraFarkovitz]

You gave me goose chills for some reason... I am on a search too. I wonder why?

[@Ook1731]

This would be my great grandma's heritage 💯💗

[@altheasherieel3724]

It's so amazing the Gullah people sounds just like My Bahamian family. Mainly like my grandfather when he was living. I can see & hear the connection between us as a people...

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Not sure what part of Bahamas you are from, but some Gullahs (Black Seminoles) left Spanish Florida to seek refuge in the Bahamas. Their descendants are still there.

[@fariwiththefacts7143]

I asked my mother where my great great grandfather and grandmother came from. Her response was an island but we ended up on Carolina border. We are original geechie gullah. Raised in Holy hill, Santee and eutawville all slave settlement outside the Hilton head area because of high taxes when redevelopment started by white folk. My grandmother worked for whites on the island my mother never healed from this lifestyle that's why she never talks about it but if she gets mad nothing but geechie comes off her tongue.

[@jessicacooper3236]

My roots ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😢😢

[@lindageorge7399]

All of this is so familiar that it lifts my Spirit High every time I see or hear this music these people wow it's heartfelt

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Glad you feel this way, Linda. We are hoping people get these types of reactions. What you see is based on accurate history with regard to the links to African Americans.

[@mariebowser8773]

I 💘 my anscester overall in gullie who I never met but there in my heart and mine

[@twallace6262]

10:16 to 15:02 Amazing Connections!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Yes, indeed! And some vivid images of such. Glad you were able to enjoy it. Please share so we can get more people see how their stories are connected to this one. Many of our African-American stories are similar... As well as the Caribbean Africans. Where Sierra Leone also features in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada/Carriacou, among others. So we dig up the history and go to those places to make meaningful connections. This is how we connect Africa to her diaspora, or vice versa. With practical steps...

[@chilaire54]

Wow now I realize how naive I was growing up always thought Geechee met people who love rice my grandmother and ancestors are from the Charleston area and they always said they're Geechee and try to explain us the culture and what they went through but never paid no attention now they're going that I wish that I would have gain some of that wisdom and knowledge to understand what the culture meant and what they went through by watching this it seemed like about a timeline of some of the dishes that were cooked even though you are raised from Florida

[@syandenemccall485]

Beautiful documentary! I can't wait to visit. My matrilineal line comes from Sierra Leone, the Limba tribe. I hope to join you all one day!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Ha, Limba people. The most peaceful or calmest of Sierra Leonean "tribes." They are known to be the earliest, or one of them, inhabitants in Sierra Leone. A lot of the different ethnic groups in Sierra Leone today migrated from Timbuktu and the greater Mali Empire. There were two Mane Invasion in the 1500s that brought the ancestors of many Sierra Leoneans there. It is believed the Limbas were already there. A bit if Sierra Leonean history. Hope to bring you some more cool information about your country... Keep your attention here!

[@shortvideos6576]

This is amazing!!!!

[@kathyemccrea9643]

I am so taken back I can't speak my heart is full. Thanks for this amazing documentary. Peace and LoveLights

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Glad you enjoyed the film so much. This is how we will connect Africa to her Diaspora or vice versa. Practical steps!

[@djembethompson1899]

Beautiful!!!!💖🖤💖

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Glad you liked it, Djembe. Vivid images and deep connections.

[@royabrown8774]

I'm Gullah ,my grandfather's grandmother was a Gullah slave in the low-country (tidewater area),his other was that of Yammassee, I knew this as a boy.I knew also that Edmond Bellinger-an John Bull were my grand fathers of Charleston an Savannah.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Yes, we should be proud of our Gullah-Geechee heritage and culture. Our African heritage!

[@carsandrajones7596]

WONDERFUL TO COME FULL CIRCLE.

[@ZanaibKamara]

Powerful documentary.. thank you to all who made this possible.. there's surely no place like home🥰

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Thank you, Zainab, for your thoughtful words of support. Short but powerful. We have a whole lot more to share too that did not make our one-hour film. Actually, it is SCETV's film. But we are the actors. Fambul Tik curated the trip! And let me tell you when it comes to heritage trips to Africa... nothing tops our trips based on slavery, resistance, and abolition. There will be more trips. But we do more than just trips. Stay tuned...

[@EarthlyGoddessOya]

Yes,when we reconnect... it will be the beginning of our rising (motherland and diaspora).

[@dorianjohnson3496]

My father was from Elloree South Carolina geechee

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Sure Dorian! What about you; do you consider yourself Geechee too? People from SC are normally called Gullah and those in Georgia are the ones referred to as Geechees. some care about that; others do not. We say Gullah-Geechees to ALL!

[@lifeof_la5533]

Great video, my people are gullah/geechie from sandy island south Carolina. It was a rice plantation. I’ve been trying to link everything to a specific place and tribe in Africa and this just may be it.. i have also done my African ancestry; it reads that my paternal is MBUNDU PEOPLE LIVING IN ANGOLA And my maternal is BUBI PEOPLE LIVING IN BIOKO ISLAND (EQUATORIAL GUINEA) TIKAR, HAUSA, AND FULANT PEOPLE LIVING IN CAMEROON

[@warzonenature3370]

Gullah tribes stretches all the way from Mali,Burkina Faso,Guinea,Northern part of Ghana,Serria Leone, Ivory Coast

[@henriettagibril6381]

@Gerard Greene. Not so sure about that. The Gullahs Are mainly of Mende origin from Sierra Leone and Liberia.Please research.

[@mlungisiwright912]

No not even that is true. Here is how it went Gullah are a layered group 1st layer is from Barbados in the 17th century at that time it was Ewe related people Akan and Igbo. Then you had people being brought in large numbers from Angola&Congo. Next you had the rice growers like the Gola and Kissi. Now, because of so many people from Angola it's debated over whether Gullah comes from Angola or is it Gola the rice growing tribe of Liberia. Kissi is written as Kishee in old documents. You hada number of tribes brought over and the English based language Gullah speak was not confined to Sierra Leone. Mende did not suffer too many losses before later time frames. The same is true of Yoruba

[@joyuyoke4999]

@@henriettagibril6381 you are wrong

[@mlt1357]

This is wonderful. I feel like I found my people.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Hi Magnolia, we are also pleased to have found our relative in you. :)!

[@henriettagibril6381]

@FANBUL TIK LEADING The settlers from Trelawney were descendants of Ghanaians as those in Jamaica will confirm. The were known as maroons in Freetown and still are but were not originally from Sierra Leone. They came via Nova Scotia. As a Krio with Maroon relatives by marriage I know for a fact..

[@henriettagibril6381]

@@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341 Fabul tik kin ben but e nor ba broke!

[@acerrome9672]

Love that Baniyan tree look, where the man taking picture of the lady.

[@user-yd6qw1bn5q]

I wish I could have been apart of this connect wow.

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

We try to do them once a year. We actually have a group there now from Georgia Southern University speculating a study abroad program.

[@mirikaye5606]

This is beautiful. I love that some of us still have such a strong connection to their roots. I find myself emotional, however, because I feel in my soul that we as ADOS cannot heal until we know WHO we are. But WS has done a great job of keeping us from our true identities. In my lineage, the bloodline was interrupted by adoption. Both my mother's parents were adopted and I recently found out that my father was not raised by his biological father. I yearn to know where I'm from but I find it more and more difficult to trace. 😢

[@isaidwithcheese8926]

Please take DNA test through ancestry sites to know where u are from

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Keep trying...

[@kennethmcclennon1845]

If you haven't already, please connect with GullahLeone.com and Chief Foday Ajamu Mansaray and his wife Kenya Malinke. They have been doing great work as community organizers in Freetown. My people are from Orangeburg S.C. by way of Walterboro, Colleton County and Charleston County. Gullahs live outside of The Corridor too! This was a fantastic production and we in the Gullah Nation of North America FB group appreciate greatly this documentary being made available. Tenky, tenky, tenky! "Many Roots ... One Fambul!"

[@JohnJohnson-xt7zf]

I'm here because Gullah Gullah Island existed. Thanks Ron Daise!

[@fambultik-leadingafricanhe6341]

Thanks for coming