Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone-Gullah Heritage Formed in US

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http://allafrica.com/stories/200604200440.html

Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone-Gullah Heritage Formed in
US

Concord Times (Freetown)

April 20, 2006
Posted to the web April 20, 2006

Ibrahim Seibure
Freetown

The cultural and historic links between Gullahs in the
United States and Sierra Leoneans are by now common
knowledge to most, if not all Sierra Leoneans. At
various times interest and excitement has reached such
fever pitch that even presidents were moved to action.

A press release issued by the Sierra Leone - Gullah
Heritage Association states that the group is
determined to strengthen the already established ties
with each other and are not broken, but in fact
improved upon.

There have been exchanges and visits between the two
groups in recent history, and upon arrival on what
they may have thought to be foreign soil, both sides
have been astonished to find themselves looking in a
mirror; surprised to find that they are home, away
from home. The faces resemble family, the food and
culture resonate with such similarities that it's hard
to grasp that there is a separation of more than 250
years in between.

Recently, there has been a sudden rekindled interest
in this segment of our history. Partly due to the last
organized trip, Priscilla's Homecoming in 2005, some
Sierra Leoneans have found it necessary to take action
into actually implementing solid ties with some of the
Gullahs, on a personal and lasting basis. In the last
20 years we've had three such home comings that made
national and international news; each with it's own
little twist in details, but all with people on both
sides of the Atlantic anxious to meet and greet each
other and left with wanting to know more of one
another. "Fahmbul tik dey ben, boht i noh dae brok"
According to Opala, with whom this new found interest
has naturally gravitated towards: "Sierra Leoneans
never seem to get enough of this stuff " Each time
after one of these homecoming trips they will say
"Opala, you did well, but what about this; or that ?"
Professor Joe Opala first arrived on Sierra Leonean
soil in 1974 and he hasn't left us since. Even when in
the US he is always somehow involved in sharing the
knowledge he has acquired in this area. He is always a
central figure in the mentioned home coming trips for
Gullah people. This new association has already worked
closely with him in structuring their focal starting
point, as well as other relevant information that will
enhance their existence.

The next question then for Opala, quite naturally, is:
"Who's coming home next?" Well, if The Sierra Leone
Gullah Heritage Association has anything to do with
it, it could be every Gullah of Sierra Leonean
descent. Since visiting South Carolina and meeting
with members of our family from across the sea
(Gullahs), this group is determined that the ties we
have already established with each other are not
broken, but in fact improved upon.

Basing their existence on the foundation of education,
they will provide speaking engagements on the subject
matter, performances by theatrical groups and
musicians, books, CDs and even an annual Calendar.

They strategically aim to preserve historical
landmarks both in the US and Sierra Leone and
especially the aspect of their culture and language
that is still prevalent in the Gullah way of life here
in the US.

At the annual Gullah Heritage Celebrations this
November 2006, the Sierra Leone - Gullah Heritage
Association expects to mobilize hundreds of Sierra
Leoneans to converge on St. Helena Island, where a
Sierra Leonean Tent will display artifacts of Sierra
Leonean culture, food and other pertinent attributes.

But save the date for November 11 through 13, 2006 and
you will be updated regularly as the time approaches.