Feb. 5, 2003 – The V.I. National Park's 12th annual Folklife Festival, set for Feb. 20-22 at Annaberg Plantation, will feature a special guest representing the Gullah, a community of the South Carolina and George Sea Islands that has kept alive its heritage as descendants of Africans brought to America in slavery.
The festival's theme is "A Cross Cultural Exchange: Gullah meets Creole." And much of the special programming will center on Marquetta L. Goodwine, who carries the title Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. She also is the founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition.
Goodwine is the official liaison and spokesperson of the Gullah/Geehee Nation, most of whose members reside on the South Carolina coastal barrier islands of St. Helena, Polowana and Dataw.
The Gullah people from the Reconstruction era following the War Between the States until the 1950s were largely isolated from the "melting pot" of mainland American culture because they resided on the barriers islands, where they continued the old ways of cooking, worshiping, fishing, farming, basket-weaving, quilting and speaking. Their isolation began to end with the arrival of bridges linking the islands and the mainland, and of television.
But appreciation of their heritage has remained strong, with elders passing traditions down to younger generations. Academicians in recent times have taken a keen interest in documenting — and thus helping to preserve — the community's strong sense of culture. And for the Gullah, pride in their heritage has proven to be a marketable visitor attraction.
For more background, a good Web site to visit is The Gullah Culture
V.I. National Park ranger Denise Georges, who has organized the festival, said of Goodwine: "I love her philosophy of keeping her culture alive."
Goodwine's presentations will include speeches about and demonstrations of the similarities and differences in the South Carolina Gullah and local Creole cultures. Myron Jackson, V.I. Office of Historic Preservation director, also will speak on the common heritage of the Virgin Islands and Gullah people.
According to Georges, Goodwine will speak near the end of the day on all three days of the festival, probably around 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 21, and about 5 p.m. on Feb. 22.
Georges also has lined up a lengthy roster of local speakers and performers. As usual, she will have craftspeople such as Almando Kennings, a joiner. Akil Petersen will speak on agriculture. Georges expects appearances by historians such as David Knight and culture bearers including Gilbert Sprauve and Gene Emanuel. Elmo D. Roebuck will be on hand with his Ananci folklore storytelling, and Gwendolyn Harley will be selling her handcrafted cultural dolls.
Not all of the presenters will be there on all three days; check with the park to make sure who's doing things when if you have your heart set on seeing someone in particular.
Traditional snack foods and drinks will be for sale.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 and noon to 6 p.m. on Feb. 22. Admission is free. If you've been reluctant to part with $4 for a tour of historic Annaberg Plantation, this is your chance to see it for free.
"People should come to learn about the diversity of Virgin Islands culture," Georges said of the festival overall, which is held annually in conjunction with the observance of Black History Month.
She said this year's event is being sponsored by American Airlines, Friends of the V.I. National Park, Caneel Bay Resort, The West Indian Co., FirstBank and the V.I. Council on the Arts.
Call the park at 776-6201 for more information.
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