Gullah Spirituals

In "Gullah Spirituals," musicologist Eric Crawford explores the rich history of Gullah Geechee songs, tracing their origins from West Africa to their influential role in advocating for social change and Black identity in the 20th-century American South. Focusing on South Carolina's St. Helena Island, Crawford highlights the survival of spirituals and their adaptive nature during periods of social and political unrest, including their use during World War I and the Civil Rights Movement. Utilizing fieldwork, personal recordings, and oral interviews, this work aims to restore the cultural memory of these powerful songs and their historical significance.