'Da' Gullah Crabber' brought his fishing skills to the Sea Islands from West African coastal countries. The Gullahs have inhabited the Sea Islands for generations and their unique traditions remain largely intact. A large percentage of all people of African descent can trace their roots back to the Lowcountry. This painting reflects a glimpse into the intriguing Gullah coastal culture. In this painting he is catching blue crabs the old fashioned way. Often associated with our neighbors in the North, many of the blue crabs being served across the nation can also trace their roots back to the Lowcountry landscape.
Sonja Griffin Evans interprets through art the conservation of the Gullah Experience of the natural world. The Gullah Crabber showcases the daily way of life of the Gullah Geechee traditional self-sustaining practices of the sea islands.
They are a distinctive group of African Americans whose origins lie along the coasts of southeastern North Carolina to northern Florida, as well as the adjacent sea islands. They live in small farming and fishing units, having formed a tightly knit community that has survived slavery, the Civil War, and the emergence of modern American culture. Through art, Griffin Evans preserves the coastal lifestyle and spirituality that was created from this unique Pan African American coastal culture. A culture created by a period of relative isolation in rural areas; absorbing new influences from the region.
For the Gullahs, the ocean is as relevant as their culture. It is more than just a part of South Carolina’s landscape; it is a vital resource they need for survival and believe should be protected. The Gullah culture depends on the land and sea life. Gullah/Geechee people have cultivated the land and plied the waters of the Atlantic coast from southeastern North Carolina to northern Florida since the European colonization of North America.
The Gullahs live off the Sea Islands. They have a history in the fishing tradition. It is essential to sustaining their way of life and families; sharing their traditional fishing methods with the next generation. However, the Gullah fisherman are trying to preserve one of their major economic resources; Fishing. The top industries of the Gullah Geechee culture are agriculture, sea work; including harvesting, cast net making, and boat building. The coastal fisheries are essential to the sustainability of Gullah/ Geechee economy. From the waterways of the Sea Islands, Gullahs provide an array of southeastern seafood including whiting, mullet, oysters, clams, shrimp, crabs, and more fresh catch. This is their way of life. Their way of making a living. They also use their catch to maintain their unique culturally inspired dishes such as She Crab Soup, Stewed Shrimp & Rice, Oysters & Rice and more that so many enjoy; locals and tourist alike. The coast of the sea islands is the landscape woven into the Gullah heritage, culture, and their traditions. THEY ARE ONE...
Sonja Griffin Evans interprets through art the conservation of the Gullah Experience of the natural world. The Gullah Crabber showcases the daily way of life of the Gullah Geechee traditional self-sustaining practices of the sea islands.
They are a distinctive group of African Americans whose origins lie along the coasts of southeastern North Carolina to northern Florida, as well as the adjacent sea islands. They live in small farming and fishing units, having formed a tightly knit community that has survived slavery, the Civil War, and the emergence of modern American culture. Through art, Griffin Evans preserves the coastal lifestyle and spirituality that was created from this unique Pan African American coastal culture. A culture created by a period of relative isolation in rural areas; absorbing new influences from the region.
For the Gullahs, the ocean is as relevant as their culture. It is more than just a part of South Carolina’s landscape; it is a vital resource they need for survival and believe should be protected. The Gullah culture depends on the land and sea life. Gullah/Geechee people have cultivated the land and plied the waters of the Atlantic coast from southeastern North Carolina to northern Florida since the European colonization of North America.
The Gullahs live off the Sea Islands. They have a history in the fishing tradition. It is essential to sustaining their way of life and families; sharing their traditional fishing methods with the next generation. However, the Gullah fisherman are trying to preserve one of their major economic resources; Fishing. The top industries of the Gullah Geechee culture are agriculture, sea work; including harvesting, cast net making, and boat building. The coastal fisheries are essential to the sustainability of Gullah/ Geechee economy. From the waterways of the Sea Islands, Gullahs provide an array of southeastern seafood including whiting, mullet, oysters, clams, shrimp, crabs, and more fresh catch. This is their way of life. Their way of making a living. They also use their catch to maintain their unique culturally inspired dishes such as She Crab Soup, Stewed Shrimp & Rice, Oysters & Rice and more that so many enjoy; locals and tourist alike. The coast of the sea islands is the landscape woven into the Gullah heritage, culture, and their traditions. THEY ARE ONE...
