Before shrimp and grits became a culinary favorite, it was a staple in Gullah Geechee kitchens! Before the world knew about blues, rock, and jazz, their rhythmic and melodic structures were heard in the fields and praise houses throughout the congressionally legislated Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor.

The Gullah Geechee culture is a unique African American culture spanning from Wilmington, North Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida. Due to the nature of their enslavement on isolated coastal plantations and sea islands, the Gullah people were able to retain many of their indigenous West African traditions. These traditions are reflected in their foodways, music, arts and crafts, spiritual traditions, and their Gullah creole language.