Gullah: The Voice of an Island is a multimedia CD Box Set and Digital Publication which features the spirituals and cultures of Saint Helena Island's Gullah community in South Carolina. This multi-year project focuses on the spirituals and praise houses of St. Helena Island, considered the cultural capital of the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor. Learn more about the island's unique history and culture in the project's digital publication.

Due to the island’s unique history and geographic isolation, many of the Gullah Spirituals on Saint Helena Island have remained unchanged for over 100 years, and still retain melodies, song texts, and rhythms from West Africa and the early south. Unfortunately, the current lack of interest by the island’s youth, and the advanced age of the island’s remaining song leaders, casts doubt on the continued survival of these vital cultural artifacts.

Through collaborations with the Penn Center, churches, and Eric Crawford at Norfolk State University, this project recorded over 80 hours of spirituals and stories. Students in history, music recording, digital media, English, photography, and design combine original recordings of elder song leaders on the island with research into the rich musical and spiritual traditions of the Gullah people. The resulting project, described by the Penn Center as "exquisitely educational" and "soul-stirring," brings these 200-year-old songs to a new audience.

The project is just the first phase of a multi-year concentration on Gullah culture and communities on the South Carolina coast. The Press will continue to build out its digital publication and partnerships with community organizations as the project continues forward.

Featured Soloists

The soloists who perform on the CD have each individually contributed to the preservation of Gullah spirituals through education and religious service. Learn more about them below.

Minnie Gracie Gadson

Minnie Gracie Gadson, a Gullah Praise House singer, was born in 1947 on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. At an early age, she fell in love with the praise and worship experience and attended services at the Hope and John Fripp Praise Houses with her maternal grandmother.

In 2019, Mrs. Gracie was awarded the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award for her work in preserving the Gullah spirituals on St. Helena Island, SC.

James Garfield Smalls

James Garfield Smalls was born on Saint Helena Island, South Carolina in 1920. As a little boy, Garfield began singing in the Croft Praise House with his grandmother, and he learned many spirituals from these early experiences. After serving in the military for four years, he raised cattle on his farm located in the Eddings Point area. He has 7 daughters.

In 2018, Deacon Smalls was awarded the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award for his work in preserving the Gullah spirituals on St. Helena Island, SC.

Rosa and Joseph Murray

The Murrays were born within twenty miles of one another: Joseph in Beaufort, South Carolina, and Rosa in Saint Helena Island. Both left the island for other employment opportunities but returned when they married one another. Joseph is a deacon at Bethesda, where Rosa has led the Adult and Senior choirs.

In 2019, The Murrays were awarded the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award for their work in preserving the Gullah spirituals on St. Helena Island, SC.

Listen to Minnie Gracie Gadson perform "Adam in de Garden"

Listen to James Garfield Smalls perform "Roll, Jordan, Roll"

Listen to Rosa and Joseph Murray perform "'Ey Nevuh, Looka Dey"