Gullah: Sea Island Creole
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Gullah Music
Singing and dancing are important to the African culture and tradtions. Traditional musicians use drums, sticks, and other percussion instrucments to accompany their songs. Audiences join in with musicians by clapping their hands and tapping their feet. The music is very lively.

When the Africans were brought to South Carolina as slaves over 300 years ago, they brought their music with them. Singing was important to the slaves. They sang to make the hard jobs seem a little easier. Sometimes the overseers even forced them sing because they thought it made them work harder. At home on the slave streets, they sang for entertainment and as part of their religion.

The rhythms and style of Gullah music influenced many styles of Amercian music that we enjoy today such as jazz, soul, gospel, spirituals, the blues and even rap.

Now, let's listen to some clips of Gullah rhythms!

HAMBONE


THIS JOY


THAT'S ALRIGHT


THE OLD TARRIVER
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