 Hi, I’m Professor Janice Marie Collins of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign…Welcome to a Taste of Gullah, A Web Series from Down South….I’m so glad you could join me. There is a wonderful somewhat hidden treasure right here in America that I’d like to tell you about…. It’s believed to be hundreds and hundreds of years old and in some way, shape or form, you’re probably connected to it…I’m speaking of the Gullah culture. What’s Gullah, you may ask? Well, you may not think you know anything about the Gullah culture, but if you’ve ever eaten chocolate covered peanuts called “Goobers”- perhaps at the movies….or if you’ve ever dipped into a pot of Gumbo… maybe heard the story of the tortoise and the hare … or how about the Disney character Uncle Remus? Have you ever heard of him? Ok, wait…I have one for you…have you ever sung a verse or two or ten of “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore,” or everyone’s campfire favorite, “Kumbaya”? Well, If you have, I’m pleased to inform you that you, indeed, have at least experienced, indirectly perhaps, a little Gullah Culture by way of Africa. (more…) |
A Taste of Gullah: A Web Series from Down South
January 4th, Reflections of Sierra Leone: Extensions, Additions to previous post plus a new one…
January 3, 2014…
If I haven’t told you, I’m now staying with Mary Bangura. We’re staying at her sister’s home. It is a very nice home, TV’s, nice furniture, decorated very nicely and sits across the street from the ocean and the ocean breeze. There is a lot of room. Just down the hall a cousin lives in a few rooms with her children. There are also nieces and nephews who live between the top and bottom floor. There are also grandchildren I think…who also live here. All in all, I think I have seen close to 12 or 15 family members, including some sisters. The brothers and uncles come over each day to see Mary and to see if we need anything. When they are around you don’t have to lift anything heavy. And that is really nice. (more…)
…And so I write again…
My view Kent Beach
January 2, 2014…
It is now one day passed New Years Day and I’m at the home of the Director of the Open Government Initiative. A beautiful morning with fishing boats, fishermen, a beautiful sunrise and beautiful ocean waves. (more…)
Returning to My Mother’s Land 2
December 28
OK, so this is what I’ve learned. I am becoming more comfortable each day…Everyone is super nice but also super cautious and suspicious of outsiders…especially outsiders with cameras…yesterday, at particular times, was a difficult day for me…because of the language barrier I felt out of place at the beginning of a gathering at a Sierra Leoneans house. I’m happy to say that by the time I left, I was happy and glad I went. It turned out to be a great gathering, lots of fun, music, dancing and food. Everyone was really nice and accommodating … as usual. (more…)
Returning to My Mother’s Land
A Sierra Leonean Woman
African Beauty
December 22 or 21st , I’m not sure but it’s a Sunday…I think..
After traveling for 27 hours by car, plane, shuttle, shuttle again, plane, boat, then car…we finally made it to Ishmil’s house, Kadia’s brother. It is really nice…with security, security walls, and security doors. He made us African chicken and rice, which means free-range and the meat can be a bit tougher but it was spicy and delicious. We had refreshing water as well. One of Kadia’s bags, an important one was left behind by accident by the flight crew and my makeup bag with all of my makeup was left somewhere as well,,. The good kind of makeup bag where you have all of the “trusties” that have been working for YEARS…you simply keep replacing the…so, I thought, well there’s a blessing in everything. But, I was also thinking, I know God may have wanted me to get back to my roots but with NO MASCARA! A little EYELINER? No? I don’t think he wanted me to go THIS native! Not cute…But, I handled it…smiling… (more…)
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