Gullah/Geechee SEA and ME: Truly a Cultural Journey
Queen Quet is a friend of mine, with whom I have had the privilege to work with since the beginning of Outdoor Afro. I am more than thrilled to finally host her first blog on the site that shares some of the rich history of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Enter Queen Quet:
"De wata bring we an de wata gwine tek we bak."
De wata may tro bak de chillun ef e ain kno how fa ack!
De chillun na de lun de lil one wha fa do
So, ef hunnuh wan um fa kno, den why don't u?
Disya mi yeddi, so de journee mi tek
Cuz disya culcha got plennee at stake.
Ancestral voices beat against my ear drum as rhythmically as the waves on the Sea Island shore and they beat out the energy within their walks as their souls journey the sands of the sea that we call, "the Middle Passage." On the shoreline, these voices seem to be joined by the echoes of the polyrhythms whose echoes have never stopped passing through the trees. Sometimes, their sounds simply lower a bit and as we feel them and we then call them the summer breeze,
Pausing beneath a Spanish moss covered oak, one cannot miss the sound if your spirit is in tune and when they send you in a direction, it is best that you go. This is something that you learn as you stay in sync with the Gullah/Geechee flow. I noticed more and more our people being pushed from the shoreline. That push was coming from outside and it was by design. So, it was time to bring the children into the circle so that they could hear and see. This circle became the centering point for "Gullah/Geechee SEA and ME."
"Gullah/Geechee SEA and ME" is a TogetherGreen action project that I designed in which SEA stands for "saving environmental actions" and ME stands for "marine education." This year long project will be intergenerational and interactive. So, to engage my initial audience in this journey into environmental education and how it links to our Gullah/Geechee cultural traditions, I decided to bring the youth into the project in the same manner that I would begin-with reading!
250 folks showed up and filled the Colleton Memorial Library in Walterboro, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation to standing room only for the "Summer Reading Program." I presented books that contained information about our waterways and Gullah/Geechee culture as a part of a histo-musical presentation. Within the presentation, I demonstrated how even the youngest (2 year old) and the smallest can do something that collectively adds up to a huge benefit to us all.
I showed everyone how as we walk along our roads to the homes of others or to participate in outdoor activities, we can all carry a plastic bag with us to fill with debris along our way. We can encourage this as a use for the bags that we get when shopping and then make sure that the items therein are properly disposed of so that they do not end up in our ditches and ultimately in our waterways. One small bag a day, could go a LONG way! Everyone saw this and agreed that they would each do this daily throughout the summer.
I then encouraged them to walk to the library or at least walk through it and find books about Gullah/Geechee culture including one of my favorites, "The Water Brought Us" so that they could learn even more about the importance of our culture and the environment in which this culture thrives. I then invited them to come outdoors with me to see our culture alive on Edisto Island, St. Helena, and Hunting Islands as part of "Gullah/Geechee Famlee Days" August 3, 2012 and September 3 (Labor Day) respectively. Those who were interested quickly filled up the sign up sheet.
While preparing for the public "Gullah/Geechee Famlee Days," I held a private one for the "Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association" in order to engage in a learning experience with them and to have the elders of the association begin to transfer more knowledge to the younger generation. We were joined in this by The Nature Conservancy who decided this would be perfect for a photographic documentary. They captured images that truly tell the story of a Gullah/Geechee fishing day-making a cast net, casting for bait, pulling crab traps, fishing, and then cooking the food and eating with the family. Ain be no oda way fa end a tru Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day!
Hearing an 11 year old and an 18 year old both say how much they enjoyed fishing and crabbing was proof that I had gotten in the right boat with this project! They both want to do more crabbing and even want to see how to economically benefit from selling their catch. So, I am sure that these two will remain with the rest of the program and learn the stewardship and balance that needs to be maintained in order for us to continue to have healthy seafood and waterways. As we get more youths to join these two that came on board at the first event, this will then insure that there will continue to be a Gullah/Geechee seafood industry that incorporates Gullah/Geechee traditional methods of sea work.
At the end of the day, I must say, Gawd tenki tenki! Mi gladdee de chillun lun frum de famlee day fa "Gullah/Geechee SEA and ME!"
Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine is a published author, computer scientist, lecturer, mathematician, historian, columnist, preservationist, film consultant, and "The Art-ivist." She is the founder of the premiere advocacy organization for the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition. Queen Quet has not only provided “histo-musical presentations” throughout the world, but was also the first Gullah/Geechee person to speak on behalf of her people before the United Nations in Genevé, Switzerland.
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A Week on Venice Beach
By Outdoor Afro Contributor Reginald James
Well, I didn’t really “spend about a week on Venice Beach,” but I always liked that line from Notorious B.I.G.’s “Going Back to Cali.” For me, Venice Beach has always been something of television and Hollywood fame.
But I’ve always been someone who wanted to see things for themselves.
Along with my friend Mary Moran, a Los Angeles native who recently returned to Southern California after going to college in the Bay Area, I went to visit this famed beach.
There is a long pier with scopes that offer views alongside the beach. The beach offers areas for surfing or swimming. Since this trip wasn’t planned, I hadn’t brought swimming shorts or a towel. So I just rolled up my shorts and walked into the water.
The water sparkled in the sunlight. I enjoyed the Pacific Ocean waves crashing against land.
Although my trip was short, I will definitely visit this beach again. Maybe I’ll be one of those buff guys you see lifting weights on Venice Beach.
Reginald James is an OutdoorAfro contributor, and he just returned from Tanzania. Visit his travel blog,www.reginaldtz.com, and make a contribution.
Stay tuned for more of Reginald's outdoor adventures!
Who Says You Need an Afro to Be an Outdoor Afro?
Jared Harris' image was captured in the Johnson Science Tower on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. He is the friend of Outdoor Afro Leadership Team member Nkrumiah Frazier, and like him, is also an avid outdoor enthisiast!
Sci-Fi, Black Men, and Woods, Oh My!
The Abandon is a sci-fi TV series created by Keith Josef. Here’s the skinny: after a possible alien invasion, five black hikers in Upstate New York discover they may be the last humans on Earth and quickly learn the importance of survival, loyalty, and manhood:
However my curiosity quickly gave way to thoughts that ran through my mind like wildfire such as: Is this yet another re-enforcement of black terror in the woods? Will it be a display of buffoonery in nature? I cringed at these thoughts not only for their own sake, but also for the sad awareness of my own conditioning and apprehension regarding of how black people have been portrayed in nature via mainstream images.
I needed to know what was really going on, so I decided to go to the source and ask the film maker himself: Will this film perpetuate stereotypes? Is nature portrayed as scary (again)? Keith replied quickly and thoughtfully - and I was delighted by his responses:
Keith, tell us about your background in nature and the outdoors
I'm originally from southern Ohio so the outdoors has always been a big part of my life. The "woods" was the place I played, communed, got scared, found bugs, stared at tadpoles, searched for snakes, heard voices, saw Big Foot, discovered plantlife, listened to the wind, pretended I was in a 18th century movie about pioneers. Yes, I had a big imagination! I say all of that to say I love the outdoors.
What do you want viewers to come away with after watching the show?
The Abandon will use the woods/outdoors to set the tone of mystery, but my characters are all savvy hikers. They will use intelligence and skill as they survive in the woods. They will learn how to use the outdoors to survive. There is something about the outdoors/woods that is an equalizer, a place where one has to use their wit and trust their instincts. It's a place that helps one relearn the beauty of nature and to respect its power.
The Abandon will use the outdoors to set the tone of mystery and intrigue, but it will also use the outdoors to inspire survival skills.
Check out his clip – then make a donation! They are now in the home stretch of fundraising to produce the show and have tipped over the halfway mark!
Black Folks Don't Camp
Check out the newest installment of the series, Black Folks Don't... by Black Public Media.
Of course, we here at Outdoor Afro know that black people DO camp, and I know some Outdoor Afros will be offended by the title alone. But I invite you all to take it as a funny and irreverent discussion about black people and camping that may inspire conversastions about deepening our collective engagement with nature. Share how you love to camp in the comments below!
Outdoor Afro Obamas
"Hope everyone gets in a little family time this weekend."
- President Obama
How are you connecting with nature and family this weekend?
A Great Day at the Beach: Outdoor Afros Kick-Off Windy City Events!
Outdoor Afro is proud to feature Viva Yeboah of Outdoor Afro Chicago! A passionate nature-lover, Viva joined our Outdoor Afro Leadership team in April. We welcome her and are so glad to hear her words about the OA Chicago kick-off event!
On a windy 90’s degree day, Outdoor Afro held its first event in Chicago. With the guidance from Rue Mapp, Outdoor Afro Founder, and my sis, I organized a kickoff event at 31st Street Beach in Chicago Bronzeville neighborhood. This event gave folks a chance to hang out, find out more info on Outdoor Afro, meet the Chicago leadership, meet some cool people and express their ideas for future events. The location was excellent! It wasn’t too crowded, a great view of the city and a nice breeze from the lake. With the help of two good friends, we got the table, games, and snacks set up.
The event was a success! We had the 90’s music jamming, played a good game of volleyball and Twister and enjoyed some of great snacks and the best homemade southern sweet tea (lol). In total there were 11 attendees. We had a great diverse group with ages from 2 yrs. to 50 yrs.
This was such a learning experience for me. I am not an expert, so I was a bit nervous and worried about the success of our first event. The idea of failure crossed my mind many times. But Rue, who shared her own experiences, really helped me to focus on QUALITY rather than QUANTITY -- that as regional leaders, our goal is to invite and organize exciting outdoor activities; provide a space for people to enjoy the outdoors, try activities they never would have considered, to learn more about nature and to appreciate and respect our environment.
I truly appreciate everyone that was able to attend our first event and those that expressed interest for future events. Look out Chicago!!
Outdoor Afro’s #1 Girl Heads to Girl Scout Camp
Today was a special day in the Mapp household, my daughter Arwen and friend Maya began their first day at a week long summer program at Camp Bothin, located in Marin County, California with the Girl Scouts of Northern California.
All last week was spent picking up last minute items at REI, and making sure all the requisite forms and supplies were accounted for. But as the departure day grew near, I noticed Arwen became more excited, and I more nervous.
See, this is the first time my daughter has slept away from home for so long without family.
Even her 4th grade overnight trip to local Point Bonita with her class a few months ago did not adequately prepare me for the discomfort of today – and the recognition of her independence and need to create bonds and friendships outside of the shelter of our family and local community. She was doing big girl thangs I realized!
Being Outdoor Afro does not always shield me and my family from the challenges of connecting with the outdoors. I appreciated and experienced first hand how it takes a lot of effort, resources, and coordination to get a little girl to camp!
So as I was checking daughter in, there I went with all the nagging concerns of any parent - experienced or not with the camp experience:
Where are the bathrooms? Are they clean? - click to see for yourself
What counselor will sleep in the room with the girls? Who are they?
Will the girls get along?
But mixed in with any anxiety of leaving my daughter, was also a deep sense of anticipation and pride. I remember vividly the joy of camping with my own Girl Scout troop when I was exactly her age. The songs we sang; rituals we performed to open and close the days, our “kapers” (chores), and a sense of community of all girls where you felt the joy of endless possibility. Those experiences still powerfully inform my work today, and I am grateful my daughter gets to continue this particular tradition of connecting to nature.
As Maya’s mom and I left the girls, who were already making new friends, we did feel a sting of sadness in our eyes, but deeper within recognized the gift of camp that will remain with these girls forever.
Did your children attend overnight camp this year? Was it challenging? Easy? Let us know!
Check out more American Camp Association Accredited Camps like this one, and other Girl Scout Camps!
The Glampire Camps Back! Outdoor Afro Returns to KOA
Just recently, my family had a chance to return to Kampgrounds of America (KOA) to take part in their first ever “Blogger Night” at its new Ventura Ranch location in Southern California, to help get the word out about this terrific camping option for everyone. After my last KOA post, my social networks on and offline went all abuzz with fellow moms who said, now THIS is the kind of camping I can do! And at least two families in my network were inspired since to make reservations at KOAs this summer!
Like many of you, all my life I have whizzed by the iconic yellow and black KOA signs that dot the American highway on family road trips, and never quite understood what they represented, until just this year. And I will never look at them the same way.
See, when I was in my teens and early 20s, sleeping on the ground, under the night sky was an adventure. But years later, as a mom with three young children in tow who needed access to clean bathrooms at a moment’s notice, camping became way more work than relaxation, and the idea of returning home more exhausted than energized was not the way I wanted to end family vacations. While my kids and I still value the sounds of overnight nature under a canopy of stars from inside our tent, we have also experimented with a wide variety of other camping options in recent years -- from our city’s family camp, to trailers and RVs, and most recently, KOA!
View More Photos:
Back to Ventura KOA…first off, as you can see in the pictures, our “Kottage” unit was a serious luxury rival with our previous cabin at the Santa Cruz KOA. In addition to a full bath with a shower, flat screen, and a sleeping loft for the children, we had fully equipped kitchen with a gas stove and refrigerator. My favorite feature: an overlook of the nearby creek and rolling hillside vineyards.
At the Ventura KOA, we also had the chance to test out their new zipline! Check out the Mapp children zip lining across camp! You can hear them before you see them. Video courtesy of Tom Huang
Like many other KOAs, the Ventura site is also equipped with the famous Jumping Pillow that my kids have come to love, rock wall climbing, peddle carts, and a giant checkerboard that delighted my little Billy to no end as he gave mom quite the challenge!
That night, after a full day of fun with my fellow bloggers and KOA staff, my kids and I fell fast asleep in comfort and warmth excited about the next day.
Sunday morning greeted us too soon (I really wanted to sleep in!) with a sizzle of a full pancake breakfast for the blogging brigade in Ventura Ranch, but actually some KOAs, including our recent Santa Cruz location have pancake breakfasts for guests during peak season.
The Bottom Line, KOAs:
- are an excellent and affordable way to car camp your way across the country because of their many locations and variety of accommodations
- all offer cleanliness and fun, to accommodate all outdoor comfort levels and ages
- can be a great basecamp to explore nearby National Parks and other attractions
Contact KOA for more information, and tell them Outdoor Afro sent you!
Outdoor Afro thanks KOA Ventura Ranch staff, Owner Scott Corey, JMPR Public Relations, and the KOA Marketing team for bringing us all together with style!