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Beyond the classroom: South Carolina educators use food to teach Gullah Geechee culture

New programs in the state work to teach high school and college students about Gullah foodways through hands-on projects

Beyond the classroom: South Carolina educators use food to teach Gullah Geechee culture

TL;DR

  • Students from Charleston County School of the Arts visited the Avery Research Center to learn about Gullah Geechee culture through food.
  • A six-week English course focused on memoir and Gullah Geechee foodways, using archives and cookbooks.
  • Gullah Geechee chef Reggie Miller prepared a meal for students during their visit.
  • Students created a zine about Gullah Geechee foodways, connecting family recipes to history.
  • Educators are increasingly teaching Gullah Geechee history and culture, with initiatives at Coastal Carolina University focusing on foodways.
  • New literature is being used to introduce Gullah Geechee culture, with discussions expanding into environmental sciences.
  • Projects at Coastal Carolina University also involved supporting Gullah makers and designing product packaging.
  • Food is emphasized as a crucial and memorable element in understanding and preserving Gullah Geechee culture.